The Kennet and Avon Canal is a linear oasis, providing water and a green ribbon, linking other areas of natural habitat, as it runs from Bristol to Reading. It both provides wildlife habitat and acts as a wildlife corridor. Those keen to observe wildlife will find a wide range of birds, as well as invertebrates, mammals, fish and other aquatic creatures. There are common water birds, such as coots and moorhens, as well as red-listed species (those of most conservation concern) like the grey wagtail and marsh tit. Water voles, which have disappeared from some counties altogether, have gone from once being Britain’s most common mammal, to its fastest declining, but they can still be found along this waterway.

With over 370 sumptuous full colour photographs, Wildlife of the Kennet and Avon Canal illustrates the range of wildlife that anyone could come across. Most of the images were taken using a conventional, hand-held camera, either on the tow path or very close to it. Some of the close-ups were taken using a macro lens, with the camera sometimes mounted on a tripod, elsewhere a telephoto lens was used. There was no use of hides or specialist photographic equipment, beyond that mentioned.

The book includes wildlife spotting suggestions and photographic hints and tips, as well as a collection of wildlife stories. It provides a fabulous introduction to watching and photographing wildlife and a way of enhancing your enjoyment of one of Britain’s best-loved canals.

152 pages, 8.5 x 11 inches

This is the second book in the UK Canals series, following on from 1: The Kennet and Avon Canal in pictures, which gives a general overview of this very popular waterway. Other books include 3: Weird and wonderful canal photographs, 4: Pandemic diary: Newbury in a time of crisis and 5: Pandemic diary 2: Newbury emerges from lockdown.The author has also written, Living in a digital world: Demystifying technology. For more details on books by Mark C Baker, see http: //www.educationvision.co.uk/books.html