Worcester and Birmingham Canal flowing through Worcester by Liz Yorke
Worcester Canal Group
The Worcester and Biringham Canal runs through the heart of the city of Worcester and was once a hive of industrial activity. Back in 2014 residents came together to improve the canal as a resource for the community and wildlife to enjoy. The Worcester Canal Group was born “to enhance the amenity value of the canal for the benefit of the local community and visitors”. Great for the community and great for the otters and kingfisher seen regularly.
Over the years members of the Worcester Canal Group have organised monthly litter picks, a music festival in Lansdowne Park, wildlife monitoring, a wildlife week and the planting of fruit trees along the towpath. The trees are thriving and the apples and pears are there for the community to enjoy.
The Trust's Wilder Worcester project first engaged with Worcester Canal Group in the late autumn of 2020 and helped to support a series of events planned for the year. Particularly memorable was the dawn chorus walk, watching the moorhens wake up as late-night revellers walked home along the tow path. The group took part in the Bugs, Bees and Broccoli survey in the adjacent Lansdowne Allotments, finding slow-worms, one of Worcester’s iconic species. This survey is run by the Allotment Association to monitor biodiversity.
This is an amazing example of how a community can make an incredible difference to improving biodiversity in the centre of a busy city.Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
Swift half by Liz Yorke
In 2023, members have been monitoring the swift population in the area. Swift populations have declined drastically in the last few years and the group wants to help the species by putting up swift nest boxes and making sure they have plenty of insects to eat by encouraging wildflowers along the canal corridor. Monitoring is always followed by a ‘swift half’ in the local pub.
Check out the the Worcester Canal Group's website if you live locally and would like to get involved.
