This past month, we’ve been delving into our love of rivers, highlighting the actions local people have been taking to protect the River Avon. You can read stories from community groups and Team Wilder members on the Rivers Resource page on our website.

My local stretch of river runs through the Willsbridge Valley and plays host to a variety of stunning creatures. One of my favourite nature moments of this year was when I finally caught a glimpse of the illusive kingfisher which is known to spend its time darting through this woodland watercourse.

What wildlife can I see by the river?

While we know that more needs to be done to clean and protect our rivers, we’re fortunate to still be able to see a dazzling display of wildlife along our local waterways. Some you may only be likely to see if you take to the water yourself, on a paddle board or canoe, while others are abundant and only need you to pick a spot, wait and watch!

Kingfishers

I may be biased given my recent sighting, but these are such a treat to spot! Easy to recognise thanks to their bright blue and metallic copper colours, Kingfishers dart along riverbanks of slow-moving or still water. They can also be seen sitting quietly on low-hanging branches, suddenly diving in to catch a small fish! 

Otters

These enigmatic, elusive mammals are one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish, waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans – so you can see why they’re well suited to a life by the river. They have webbed feet, dense fur and can even close their ears and nose when underwater! You may be more likely to see signs that an otter has been nearby rather than come face-to-face with them in the wild, just look for their five-toed footprints and ‘spraints’.

Dragonflies 

Before dinosaurs roamed the earth, there were dragonflies in the sky! Dragonflies spend most of their lives in their larval stage – nymphs – living under the water. As nymphs they look like small, wingless adults, with six legs and wing-sheaths. They go through a gradual change into adults, shedding their skins 5–14 times before they’re ready to leave their aquatic homes.

Dippers

It’s always exciting to spot a dipper, perched on a rock in a fast-flowing stream! Their distinctive white chest and throat contrasts with their dark brown upperparts. What sets them apart from other songbirds is their ability to go underwater to find their invertebrate food! Their other top skill is their amazing dipping action. Next to a noisy fast-flowing stream, it’s a great way to communicate with other birds, especially the opposite sex and potential rivals. 

Beavers

Known as the engineers of the animal world, beavers have the ability create wetlands where wildlife can thrive! They love freshwater areas surrounded by wetland plants, trees and woodland, and shelter in burrows dug into riverbanks that have underwater entrance tunnels. Since we recorded the first sightings of Eurasian beavers on the River Avon in 2021, there has been growing evidence and recognition that a healthy population of wild living beavers has made this part of the South West their home. You can find out more about what advice and support we offer around beavers on our website: www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/beavers

These are just a small handful of the incredible creatures that call our the River Avon home. And they need our help: clean waterways are vital for people and wildlife alike. 

Find out what you can do to help protect and restore our rivers