The Pocklington Canal forms part of an area that is of considerable importance for wildlife with three Sites of Scientific Interest plus international protection.  The Pocklington Canal is one of the Canal & River Trust’s top sites for spotting wildlife on its waterways.

The canal has natural banking and has more aquatic plants than most of our canals. Reeds along the margin of sections of the canal provide a habitat for nesting birds.  Swans and their cygnets attract a great deal of interest and nests can sometimes be seen on the canal.  Moorhen often manage to hide their nests in the vegetation lining the banks. With patience and luck, water voles can sometimes be seen.

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Issue 1 of Double Nine

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In the 1980s, thirteen species of damselflies and dragonflies were officially recorded on the canal and since then, other species have since been found.  Damselflies and dragonflies are abundant between June and August and need the warmth of the sun to fly.  The Pocklington Canal is regarded as particularly important for the red-eyed damselfly.  The male is easily recognised by its prominent reddish brown eyes and blue band near the tail.