We’re so lucky to have the Montgomery Canal on our doorsteps. This waterway starts in Shropshire, but the majority of it winds its way through Wales. Crossing the Welsh/English border in Llanymynech, it runs 24 miles to Newtown, passing through towns and villages like Welshpool and Berriew, woodland and open Montgomeryshire countryside.

Most canals are havens for nature to some extent, providing many different habitats, such as relatively shallow, slow-moving water, reedbeds, hedgerows, verges and scrubland adjacent to the towpath. They offer shelter, food and water as well as being vital wildlife corridors, connecting up different areas and allowing many different species safe passage.

But the Montgomery Canal – or The Monty, as it’s colloquially known in the area – is even more precious. One of the best canals for nature in the UK, it’s a Special Area of Conservation – the highest designation internationally – and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is mainly for its aquatic plants, most notably a rare species called Floating Water-plantain, but also for dragonflies and damselflies. Ten species of these breed here, but many more use the waterway as a hunting ground. If that wasn't enough, it's also a renowned otter stronghold and a popular spot for kingfishers.

What makes it so special, you might ask? Firstly, its location – the Montgomery Canal corridor is a hotbed of biodiversity. Within 5 km each side of the waterway are nine Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves – five of which are within easy walking distance or just off the towpath – as well as many other wildlife sites. Next, The Monty is unusual for the clean, clear quality of its water – something that makes it very attractive to an abundance of creatures, but particularly freshwater species. This could well be because the majority of the Welsh section has been unnavigable since the canal officially closed to boats in 1944 – with the exception of small, isolated sections in Llanymynech and Welshpool. But it might also be connected with the fact that historically The Monty didn’t experience the high levels of boat traffic other waterways did, and steam tugs and diesel boats allegedly never used it.

Whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn or winter, there’s always plenty of wildlife to see, though each season boasts some particular highlights worth looking – and listening – out for...

In early spring, keep an eye out in shallower parts of the canal, and to the edges, for frog- and toad-spawn. While the Common Frog will normally lay its spawn in ponds, small pools and ditches, with the Common Toad braving more open water because its tadpoles contains toxins which make them unpleasant to eat, both amphibians’ spawn can be found together in this canal.

Spring sees myriad pretty wildflowers popping up along the canal verges and next to the towpath. From May, Yellow Flag (or Yellow Iris) brightens up whole stretches of the waterway – look out for this water-loving wildflower near the Llanymynech Heritage Area.

Look to the air any time from April and you'll hopefully see a Large Red Damselfly. The first of the damsels and dragons that can be seen around the Montgomery Canal, it’s around 3.5cm in length but pretty visible thanks to the vibrant hue of the male insects. This is one of around 10 damselfly and dragonfly species that breed here, a result of the canal’s clean, clear waters.

Summer is when the sky above the canal comes alive with dozens of dragonflies and damselflies in all shapes, sizes and colours. The Banded Demoiselle and similar-looking Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies – often mistaken for dragonflies because of their size – start to appear from May but are out in full force during summer, their metallic green or blue bodies and coloured wings making them easy to identify. Dragons to look out for include the scarce Common Clubtail, a black and yellow beauty only on the wing from May to July, and the goliath Brown Hawker, one of the largest and fastest dragonflies.

On hot summer days, look out for Slow Worms basking in the sunshine on the towpath – this lovely legless lizard, the UK’s only such creature, is around the circumference of a finger and very shy. Similarly, you might be lucky enough to spot another elusive reptile that frequents the canal – our beautiful Grass Snake – whether it’s hiding from its many predators in bramble in hedgerow at the side of the canal, or enjoying a dip in the water to cool off or hunt for prey.

Dawn and dusk in the warmer months is a good time to look out for otters. While these semi aquatic mammals do not hibernate, at this time of year the mother will be moving about with her cubs as she takes them fishing to this favourite feeding ground. European Otter have huge territories and will have their holts on nearby rivers such as the Severn, so it’s very rare to see them, but the Montgomery Canal is a renowned stronghold and it has been known.

Alongside the water birds, summer visitors such as the Sedge Warbler bring their songs to the canal’s choir. Look out for these and other small songbirds from this family, perched on rushes. Also listen out for the explosive song of the Cetti’s Warbler, a once rare bird, which is happily becoming more widespread, and was confirmed breeding in Montgomeryshire for the first time in 2021, at nearby Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve.

You might not be able to hear our only winged mammals, but on a balmy summer’s evening, as twilight falls, the air above the water becomes a veritable all you can eat buffet for Common Pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats. The former can put away as many as 3,000 midges in one evening, and the latter is known as the ‘water specialist’ because of its amazing ability to ‘scoop’ up insects from the water’s surface with its tail and feet.

The moist, shaded conditions of the canal towpath verges also make for prime fungi real estate, with shrooms such as the iconic Fly Agaric and the orange Chicken of the Woods both popping up.

Haws, hips, hazelnuts and berries festoon this wildlife corridor, providing feasts for birds and mammals such as badgers and hedgehogs. Brambles and their blackberries are a particularly common sight, since the canal can claim around 18 different species of the humble thorny shrub!

The brown Bulrush hotdogs turn white and fluffy too, releasing their tiny parachutes as autumn breezes blow.

During autumn juvenile kingfishers will join their parents fishing the canal – meaning a greater chance of spotting these vibrant beauties. Indeed, their vivid turquoise plumage stands out better against an autumnal backdrop than verdant summer.

Clumps of snowdrops are the next to spring up along this wildlife corridor – one of the first signs of spring, closely followed by the yellow flowers of Lesser Celandine.

Also at this time of year, look out for the heart-warming sight of the Grey Wagtail, its bobbing tail movements and melodious call. While this wagtail is a year-round resident, it’s often easier to spot in the winter when its yellow underside stands out against the muted landscape.

Find out more about The Monty's wildlife on a Canal Safari