Romsey Barge Canal Wildlife
Since the canal as such was closed and became part of the River Test system, it has become a typical chalk stream habitat. The plants, fish, birds, mammals and insect life are much the same as found in most small Test Valley streams. The Barge Canal north of Fishlake Meadows Road is SSSI, but the stretch downstream to The Plaza is not, so it is hoped that efforts to improve the quality of habitat in this section will return it to the high quality ecosystem that it once was.
Water Voles have undergone huge declines and this is one species that needs high quality water to survive. Already Otters have returned to the River Test and have been seen occasionally on this stretch of Barge Canal. Other key species like Kingfisher are seen from time to time, but until a richer variety of water plants return, the habitat won’t attract a much wider range of water birds and animals. Low flows, heavy silt, too much overhanging and shading vegetation limit the chances of the Barge being a highly diverse ecosystem.
With some management, more species of water insects will return and a better range of aquatic plants will be able to grow. This will attract other species and more fish, birds and mammals. Common species of fish, such as Roach, Dace and Pike do occur now and also some dragonflies and damselflies ( notably Banded Demoiselle ). Although many species of common birds use the water to bathe and drink, very few live permanently and breed on this part of the canal, but Moorhens and Mallards do. Few mammals live along this stretch and Water Voles seem to be absent at the moment.
Unfortunately there are rather a lot of Brown Rats, which negatively affect other wildlife. Other animals such as domestic cats also damage vulnerable species. A few species of bats use this corridor to feed during the summer. This stretch of water needs to be surveyed regularly to see if the wildlife is improving and check the progress of habitat improvement.
Since the canal as such was closed and became part of the River Test system, it has become a typical chalk stream habitat. The plants, fish, birds, mammals and insect life are much the same as found in most small Test Valley streams. The Barge Canal north of Fishlake Meadows Road is SSSI, but the stretch downstream to The Plaza is not, so it is hoped that efforts to improve the quality of habitat in this section will return it to the high quality ecosystem that it once was.
Water Voles have undergone huge declines and this is one species that needs high quality water to survive. Already Otters have returned to the River Test and have been seen occasionally on this stretch of Barge Canal. Other key species like Kingfisher are seen from time to time, but until a richer variety of water plants return, the habitat won’t attract a much wider range of water birds and animals. Low flows, heavy silt, too much overhanging and shading vegetation limit the chances of the Barge being a highly diverse ecosystem.
With some management, more species of water insects will return and a better range of aquatic plants will be able to grow. This will attract other species and more fish, birds and mammals. Common species of fish, such as Roach, Dace and Pike do occur now and also some dragonflies and damselflies ( notably Banded Demoiselle ). Although many species of common birds use the water to bathe and drink, very few live permanently and breed on this part of the canal, but Moorhens and Mallards do. Few mammals live along this stretch and Water Voles seem to be absent at the moment.
Unfortunately there are rather a lot of Brown Rats, which negatively affect other wildlife. Other animals such as domestic cats also damage vulnerable species. A few species of bats use this corridor to feed during the summer. This stretch of water needs to be surveyed regularly to see if the wildlife is improving and check the progress of habitat improvement.