Types of wildlife, floating ecosystems, water quality and community groups
Types of wildlife
We have a lot of wildlife around the harbour, including:
- mute swans
- mallard ducks
- herring and lesser black-backed gulls
- cormorants
- kestrels
- house martins
- otters
The harbour has several different types of fish, including:
- pike
- bream
- roach
- eel
Floating ecosystems
Bristol Harbour currently has three floating ecosystems at:
- Capricorn Quay
- Cascade Steps
- outside Bristol Dockyard, home of the SS Great Britain
There are plans to add more in the future.
The floating ecosystems:
- have native aquatic plants and trees
- provide valuable shelter and feeding grounds for wildlife, including grebes, otters and fish
- have safe nursery areas for young birds
- help improve water quality
Water quality
Although the water may look brown and dirty, it is full of life and very clean. The brown colour is caused by mud mixed in with the water.
The harbour hasn't always been so clean. 150 years ago the Floating Harbour would have been very smelly and dirty. This was because most of Bristol's sewage flowed into the water, polluting it. This was stopped in the early 1970s.
Nowadays, the water is tested every week to make sure it's safe and clean for people and wildlife.
Community or environment groups
The Harbour Stakeholder Group has 12 representatives from clubs and organisations who use the harbour. The group consult with the Harbour Committee on matters such as conservation, safety and maintenance of the harbour.
A volunteer group to help maintain the floating ecosystems is currently being established.