River Severn Wildlife

Animals

The otter is one of our most endangered mammals. In the past has suffered from man, polluted water and prey, but is now protected in England and Wales. Much larger than the mink, but can be mistaken for that animal.

The mink preys on fish and waterfowl. It was during the 1950s that there was the great fur farm escape and now has established itself on rivers throughout Britain. The Severn is no exception, witness them in a long single file scurrying along the bank of the river looking for food.

No ones friend is the brown rat, found everywhere and is one of the few undesirable wild animals because of the damage it does.

Plant

The yellow rattle, saw-wort, meadow thistle, dyer's greenweed and the wood bitter vetch all indicate, when found, that the field they are in has lain undisturbed for a long time.