The SSSI was established in the early 1980’s and periodic dredging and maintenance work is undertaken to try and preserve its' original character. The SSSI was described as one of the best areas of open water and associated marginal habitats in VC55, and representative of the slow river vegetation communities found in central and eastern England.

Today, the Canal comprises sections of dense reedbeds (Phragmites) whilst Bulrush Yellow Iris and Branched Bur-reed are also widespread. Arrowhead, Lesser Water Parsnip, Rigid Hornwort, Water Horsetail and Flowering Rush occur in the  open-water stretches. The Canal banks are commonly covered in Meadowsweet and Willowherb and where grazed, rushes. In summer, between Harby and Stathern Bridge, large patches of the up to 2m tall Great Horsetail dominate the towpath bank with their striped stems and feathery foliage. The section immediately west of Redmile, outside the SSSI, is now choked with Water Soldiers. The hedges along the towpath are predominantly Hawthorn and Blackthorn. Whilst the main trees flanking the canal and towpath include Ash, Sycamore, Alder, Pendunculate (English) Oak, Willows and Elder.

Some sections are well stocked with fish, Pike are the most common with Tench and Rudd also recorded. Great Pond Snails occur throughout and Great Ramshorn Snail is seen best at Stathern Bridge.

In addition to the resident breeding waterbirds (Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen and Coot), in summer there are good populations of warblers, the commonest include Reed, Sedge and Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff. Swallows, House Martins and Swifts are regularly seen along the Canal in the summer months. Kestrels, Buzzards, Red Kites and Ravens are often seen, whilst Hobby is also present in the summer months. Kingfisher and Grey Heron also visit the Canal but are easily flushed when disturbed. In winter months our resident thrushes are augmented by large, highly mobile flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing and the adjacent ploughed fields often hold flocks of Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull.

The common species of butterflies in the East Midlands are all well represented along the Canal with flight periods usually ranging between March and October. Between April to November 19 species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded including the Hairy Dragonfly and Variable Damselfly, both are close to the limit of their range that lies mainly in SE England. Sightings of Emerald Damselfly and Banded Demoiselle are now rare.

Click on the Species List tab at the top of the page to see a complete listing of the species recorded in NatureSpot.