Water Voles On The Curly Wyrley?

During the period that I was elected I strongly championed the Essington & Wyrley Canal and encouraged and cajoled both the City Council and the British Waterways to improve this magnificent facility for the people of Wednesfield.

I pressed as hard as I could for the improvements and for it to be given Nature Reserve status.

I am pleased to report that this work is still very much in progress. But there is a need for some help here. I am informed that there is a need to have a number of surveys undertaken. Now I know that this stretch of canal has more than its fair share of public users now it has been spruced up in the way that it has. I note that there was recent oil spillage that caused much grief whilst I was away on vacation. But there is still a vast amount of flora and fauna that also use this canal as a home.

Can I ask members of the public that regularly use the canal to inform me of any sightings of the following creatures or plants? I know the Authorities must undertake a number of surveys if we are to get the status requested. But if 'sightings' have already been made and they can be specified it will do much to help the official surveyors go about their business.
So please let me know preferably by email where on the canal that you spotted these plants and animals the date and time of day

Water vole – to note signs of the presence of water vole as well and any signs of mink or otter;
Bat Roost survey – all structures and features and their potential for, or signs of, roosting bats e.g. bridges and abutments;

If any anglers have seen White-clawed crayfish ;

Aquatic flora survey – identify species and populations of native aquatic flora, particularly with regard to pondweeds

Breeding bird survey - What kind of water birds are utilising the canal and associated habitats.



Lets see if we can help build up a detailed evidenced based informative document that will help the ecologists undertake their tasks.