Canoes and Wildlife

[wanlock dod]

Dora,

What kinds of problems did you think that canoeists might cause?

Nightshade, As far as I am aware, a working bell is only actually a legal requirement at the point of sale. It is (as far as I can tell) perfectly permissible to remove it post purchase. Besides, if nobody listens to the bells what is the point of them? Calling out is the best strategy when the bell is ignored. You might want to bear in mind that the cyclists are mostly just doing the same as you, enjoying the outdoors, and that they are probably just as frustrated by folks who are wandering around with no idea of what is going on around them and not listening to their bells.

[DoraMac]

Originally Posted by wanlock dod

Dora,

What kinds of problems did you think that canoeists might cause?

Re my original post, I mentioned two species of bird which frequent the river bank and also rare sightings of otters. To my, obviously inexperienced eye, some of the canoeing activity appears noisy and intrusive.

The replies so far reassure me that this activity has no or at least minimal effect on river habitat.

[wanlock dod]

Dora,

I cannot think of any kind of disturbance that a canoeist might cause that could not be caused by a whole host of other users of the area, whether they be walking, watching wildlife, taking their dog out, cycling, kite flying, horse riding etc. etc...

I regularly disturb a couple of dippers and herons when I walk my dog by the local river. I (and no doubt others) have been disturbing them regularly for some years, but they can still be found there most days. Wildlife watching is, however, probably best done when the canoeists are at work, or canoeing elsewhere.

Dod