Head out to the riverside and get mammal spotting!

Communications and Marketing Officer at the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), Tom Kwei, details the organisation’s ‘Walking with Water’ campaign and how it can help you get the most out of our Mammal Mapper app.

From a simple glass of water to the luxurious experience of a relaxing bath, water is a constant in all of our lives. However, it is crucial to recognise that household water usage has a direct impact on the natural environment all around us. So, get thinking next time that tap is dripping! Quite simply, the less water we use the more there will be in the ecosystem, ensuring that wetland habitats stay topped up for mammals threatened by extinction such as otters, water voles and beavers.

‘Walking with Water’ is CCW’s initiative to tackle the disconnect many of us have between the water running by our feet on a ramble and the water gushing out of our kitchen tap. We want to inspire individuals to venture outdoors and connect with their local water sources, we hope this well encourage greater water efficiency habits.

Any keen observers of wildlife should head first to our website: www.walkingwithwater.org.uk. Here you can find a wide range of waterside walks throughout England and Wales offered by water companies, along with a downloadable activity booklet for young nature lovers packed with water-saving tips.

These outdoor ‘Walking with Water’ adventures perfectly complement the Mammal Society's very own Mammal Mapper app, a free app where you can record signs and sightings of mammals in the UK. Mammals can be recorded along a route whilst you’re walking, running, cycling or even a passenger in a car. Mammal Mapper is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and can be found by searching for ‘Mammal Mapper’.

Wildlife and water are naturally intertwined and rely on each other for their existence for survival, forming a delicate and inseparable bond. Therefore it is crucial to recognise the significance of this connection and take meaningful actions, such as participating in our ‘Walking with Water’ initiative, engaging with the Mammal Society’s Mammal Mapper app, or even better, both simultaneously. By doing so, we can truly appreciate the interdependence of wildlife and water and contribute to their preservation.

Here are four riverside walks teeming with wildlife that CCW highly recommend:

River Dart, Devon:

Flowing through Dartmoor National Park, the River Dart provides an excellent opportunity to catch glimpses of wild ponies, deer and rare birds.

River Eden, Cumbria:

The River Eden is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering sightings of otters, red squirrels and roe deer. A perfect place to appreciate the intrinsic value of water within the natural environment.

River Wye, Herefordshire:

Cascading through the breathtaking Wye Valley, the River Wye is a vibrant ecosystem showcase. Otters, badgers and the river itself “flowering” in June and July, are just some of the wonders you can encounter rambling along this magnificent natural beauty spot.

Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol:

The Avon Wildlife Trust manages several reserves along the River Avon, providing exceptional opportunities for observing wildlife. Here you can spot otters, water voles and a diverse array of bird species.