Annick Water - Wildlife

Wildlife

North American mink have been sighted along the banks of the Annick. This aggressive animal was unfortunately introduced to Britain and has been the cause for much concern for many years.

Kingfishers have been spotted flying above the surface of the water, successfully catching small fish in their beaks.

The eel, which originates in the Sargasso Sea has been known to cross land at certain sections of the Annick River. This is a common habit of the eel but the sight is rather odd.

As well as some Trout and Salmon it has a healthy population of Sticklebacks, Minnows, Freshwater Shrimps, Freshwater Limpets, Caddisfly Larvae, Blackfly, Stonefly and Leeches, indicating that the water quality is good. Mallard and heron are frequently encountered and the occasional Great Crested Grebe can be seen. Eels are sometimes to be found on land, especially in wet weather, taking a shortcut across the top of the lengthy loops that are found in the river in the area.

• The Glazert rivulet and the Annick Water at Water Meetings.

• The Annick Water looking upstream from Chapeltoun Bridge.

• The Annick Water near Cunninghamhead mill.

• A waterfall near Cunninghamhead bridge.

• The Annick Water at Bourtreehill.

• The Annick Water at Bourtreehill.

• The bridge and weir below Lainshaw House.

• A View on the Annick Water.

Marchantia polymorpha, the Common Liverwort grows on the bare bedrock dykes of the Annick near Cunninghamhead Mill, this plant being much rarer than the name suggests. Pellia epiphyla and Lunularia liverworts grow on the earth riverside banks at Cunninghamhead and elsewhere. The riverside vegetation includes Butterburr, Reed-Canary Grass, Rushes, Water Forget-Me-Not, Brooklime-Speedwell, Giant Hogweed, Hemlock Water-Dropwort, Willows and Alders.