SNAKES, bats and Britain’s most brilliant bird are making a splash in Chester.
British Waterways annual wildlife survey has revealed that despite a wet summer, 113 wild animals and birds were spotted in the area over the past year.
While herons were most commonly sighted, 12 kingfishers were seen in their natural habitat alongside more unusual creatures such as water voles, grass snakes, terrapins, otters and bats.
Nationwide, 4,000 sightings were recorded by members of the public during British Waterways’ fourth National Waterway Wildlife Survey, including 314 records of the colourful kingfisher.
British Waterways say wildlife lovers in Chester should head south from Crows Nest Bridge on the Shropshire Union Canal to Tilstone Bank and the adjacent River Gowy for the best chance of seeing animals at play.
Mark Robinson, national ecology manager for British Waterways, comments: “We are delighted to hear of so many sightings of kingfishers on our waterways.
“As well as being a strikingly beautiful bird, kingfishers are an important indicator of the general health of the waterway ecosystem, as like the big cats on the African plains, they are at the top of the waterway food chain.”
