Water Voles were once a familiar sight across lowland sites in Britain, with many canals, rivers and lakes housing the water vole. However since a nationwide survey was taken out during 1990 to assess the numbers of water voles present in our lowland sites, there has been a very sharp decline in numbers. Since then the water vole has been given a priority status in the Tees Valley Biodiversity Action Plan.
A famously colourful bird of rivers and streams, the kingfisher can be spotted sitting quietly on low-hanging branches over the water, suddenly diving in to catch a small fish. Kingfishers breed near lowland watercourses and lakes which have suitable banks for burrowing nests and shallow edges for feeding. There are over 90 species of Kingfisher which can be found all over the world. Although they are less common in the northern parts of the United Kingdom, they are more widespread in central and southern England. They have been known to visit garden ponds if they are of an appropriate size.
A tall, often solitary bird, the Grey Heron is one of Britain's most familiar birds. It feeds mainly on fish, but also eats small mammals (even Moles!), waterbirds (sometimes up to the size of a Coot) and Crayfish. It is often seen standing stock-still in the shallow waters of lakes, rivers and ponds, patiently hunting fish flitting about below the surface. It will visit gardens with ornamental ponds, looking for an easy meal.
Sand martins are common summer visitors, arriving in March and leaving in October. They nest in colonies, digging burrows in steep, sandy cliffs, usually around water, so are commonly found on wetland sites. The tunnels they bore can be up to a metre in length. At a chamber at the end of the burrow, four or five eggs are laid on collected straw and feathers. Sand martins are sociable birds and will nest together in summer and gather to roost in large numbers in autumn; eventually they migrate to Africa to spend the winter.
Water Voles
King Fishers
Sand Martins
Herons
This app is designed for you the user to collect vital habitat imformation on a variety of species living amongst our communities here in the North East. It allows the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to gain and promote a picture of the valuable wildlife living along Teesside's urban waterways. All your imput, be it a footprint of a water vole or an actual sighting is vital to us, so send us all you have and become a vital member of our cause.