What is wetland?

Wetland habitats include ponds, rivers, lakes, bogs, reedbeds, estuaries and coasts.

If you're lucky enough to have any of these near you, here are some species you may be able to spot!

Water vole

The Water vole is a semi-aquatic mammal which lives in the banks of rivers and wetlands, or in small nests in fens and reedbeds. They need luxuriant wetland vegetation (grasses, reeds, flowering plants and sedges) to eat and in which to shelter.

The water vole has experienced one of the fastest declines of any native mammal in the 20th century.

They are sometimes called 'Water rats' (like Ratty in Wind in the Willows). Although they are in the same family as rats (rodents), they are not rats but voles.

Dragonfly & Damselfly

Dragonflies and damselflies favour wetland habitats with good water quality, as their nymphs grow underwater and require clear water in order to hunt.

Dragonflies and damselflies can be difficult to tell apart - these tips may help you tell the difference:

• Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies
• Dragonflies keep their wings open at rest, like the one shown here
• The dragonfly's flight is strong and purposeful, whereas the damselfly's is more weak and fluttering

Newts

There are three species of newt native to the UK:

• Great crested (pictured) - upto 15cm long, this is our biggest newt and is almost black in colour with spotted flanks and an orange belly. The males have a long, wavy crest during breeding season.
• Smooth or Common - grow up to 10cm long. Their skin is grey or brown with a yellow or orange belly, usually with black spots or blotches.
• Palmate - grows up to 9cm long with smooth brown, grey or green skin and a peachy yellow belly with a few spots.

The UK's populations of great crested newts are internationally important and are under threat from habitat loss.

Bats

Bats are a major predator of insects and play a key role in the food chain.

There are 18 species of bat in the UK; not all are directly associated with wetlands, but waterways and ponds provide bats with the water they need to re-hydrate as well as attracting midges and other flying insects which provide a ready feast for bats.