Kilby - Foxton Canal facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Leicestershire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 32.1 hectares (79 acres) |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The Kilby - Foxton Canal is a really special place for nature in Leicestershire, England. It's a long stretch of the Grand Union Canal and the land right next to it. This area is about 32.1 hectares, which is like 80 football fields! It's officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short. This means it's protected because it has rare plants and animals that are very important to our natural world.
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What Makes Kilby - Foxton Canal Special?
This amazing natural spot stretches between Kilby Bridge, which is south of Wigston, and Debdale Wharf, which is north of Foxton. It was given its special protected status in 1984 because of the unique wildlife found here. The canal itself, along with its banks, creates a perfect home for many different species. It's a great example of how waterways can be super important for biodiversity.
Amazing Plants of the Canal
The water in the Kilby - Foxton Canal is home to some truly remarkable plants. Scientists have found nine different kinds of pondweed here. Pondweeds are underwater plants that provide food and shelter for many aquatic creatures. Two of these pondweed species are considered nationally rare, meaning they are very hard to find anywhere else in the country!
Other cool plants you might spot growing under the water include Nuttall's waterweed. This plant forms dense mats just below the surface. You can also see the beautiful yellow water-lily, with its bright yellow flowers floating on top of the water and its large, round leaves. These plants are a vital part of the canal's ecosystem, helping to keep the water clean and supporting all the animals that live there.
Wonderful Wildlife: Daubenton's Bats
It's not just plants that make this SSSI special! The Kilby - Foxton Canal is also a fantastic place for animals. One of the most exciting residents is a large group of Daubenton's bats. These bats have made their home in the Fleckney Tunnel, which is part of the canal system.
Daubenton's bats are often called "water bats" because they love to hunt for insects over the surface of rivers and canals. They use echolocation, which is like a natural sonar, to find their prey in the dark. Having a long-established colony of these bats in the tunnel shows how healthy and important this canal environment is for wildlife.
Exploring the Site
If you want to experience the beauty of the Kilby - Foxton Canal SSSI, you're in luck! The canal's towpath runs right through the site. A towpath is a path originally used by horses to pull canal boats. Today, it's a great place for people to walk, cycle, and enjoy nature. As you explore the towpath, you can look out for the different plants in the water and imagine the bats flying overhead at dusk. It's a wonderful way to connect with nature and see why this area is so important to protect.
