Waterways wildlife in June
Phil Pickin gives some seasonal pointers for the towpath naturalist.
TO SAY that 2020 has been something of a challenge would be the biggest understatement of all time. The world, for us humans, has changed significantly and it remains to be seen if things return to the way they were before the Covid-19 outbreak.
With an almost continual stream of terrible news bombarding us, it has been good to see the occasional lighter news item. Recently a number of these have highlighted the way in which wildlife has made the most of the lockdown. Goats seen walking through the streets of Llandudno in north Wales, deer grazing in a housing estate in Romford in Essex and jellyfish returning to the canals of Venice are all evidence that nature is taking full advantage.
Not only is it good to see these news items as they provide a welcome diversion from the bad news, but it also proves that, for other species, life goes on. Not only does it continue, but it proves to us just how much of an impact we had on nature before the lockdown. It’s not just these higherprofile examples of nature capitalising on the situation. Some people have even reported that birdsong has increased over the past few months, but maybe that’s because we can hear it more, now that traffic noise has decreased?
Closer to home we can’t expect jellyfish in the Grand Union, but when we are able to move about the waterways more easily, we may see evidence of how wildlife has taken advantage.
New broods of mallard, coots and moorhen will have been raised by the time we get back, and undoubtedly grey herons will still be standing motionless beside the canals looking for food. But it will be interesting to find out if the numbers of birds and animals that call the waterways their home have increased this year.
The waterways system has always been seen as a series of green corridors along which wildlife can travel. But with less traffic on the system, will we see more evidence of wildlife moving about?
It’s highly likely that a reduction in wildlife disturbance, however unintended, will help many species thrive. This won’t just be within the animal kingdom; the flora and fauna that makes these corridors so green will undoubtedly have made the most of the peace, the quiet and a lack of people.
It’s good to see that Mother Nature has been quick to make the most of things, but it should also be seen as an opportunity for us to reflect on the world around us. Reflect on the impact we are having on it and also to use the natural world as a refuge, somewhere to return to when everything else seems upside-down and stressful.
What happens in the future remains to be seen but let’s hope that the benefits, currently enjoyed by the natural world, are maintained. There are few positives to come from the coronavirus, during which so many will have lost loved ones, so if something positive can come from all this, however small, maybe we should all embrace it.
Whatever you do, stay safe!