WILDLIFE is thriving in Liverpool’s waterways, a new survey has found.

The focus of the fourth British Waterways annual wildlife survey was the kingfisher, which is considered a reliable indication of the health of the waterway.

In Liverpool, 19 of the iconic blue birds were spotted.

There was a total of 130 creatures along the waterside, with more unusual “spots” being grass snakes, terrapins, mink and otters.

Ecologists pinpointed the Leeds-Liverpool Canal as a top place to spot waterside wildlife, particularly water voles as they are dotted throughout in various locations in the wash walls.

The kingfisher is generally accepted as a key indicator of good water quality and a healthy ecosystem.

Cath Ferguson, environment and heritage manager at British Waterways in the North West, said the participation survey worked by inviting visitors to waterways to report what they saw.

She said: “We are encouraged by the results – in the Liverpool area we’ve had reports of indicator species like the kingfisher, and rarer species such as water voles.

“We put this down to improvements in water quality and it suggests the health of wildlife in canals is particularly good.”

Daily Post