You don’t have to travel far to experience wildlife in Knowle — in fact, you don’t have to leave the village at all. Between our canals, parks, footpaths and fields, Knowle is home to an abundance of creatures, great and small. From graceful herons on the water to curious foxes at dusk, nature weaves quietly through our daily lives, if you know where to look.
Watch the Water: Kingfishers, Coots and Herons
A stroll along the Grand Union Canal offers far more than peaceful views and a flat walking route — it’s one of the best places to spot birdlife. Pause for a moment near the Knowle Locks or in quieter stretches lined with reeds, and you might catch sight of a kingfisher darting low over the water in a flash of electric blue. They’re shy and quick, but unforgettable.
Keep your eyes peeled, too, for coots, ducks and moorhens, bobbing along the edges or nesting on floating vegetation. And towering over the banks, often standing utterly still before striking the water in a lightning-fast motion, is the grey heron — a regular, elegant presence along the canal.
Wildlife in the Fields and Footpaths
Beyond the canal, Knowle’s many footpaths and byways offer regular glimpses of countryside life. Early risers and quiet walkers might spot sheep in the farmers field and deer grazing in the misty fields that border the village, particularly on the outskirts near the byways off Elvers Green Lane or closer to the edge of the Blythe Valley.
And of course, foxes are part of the local landscape too — whether you spot one padding across a quiet street at night or catch a glimpse of one trotting along a hedgerow path. These are moments of quiet magic, connecting us to the wilder world just beyond our front doors.
Slowing Down to Notice More
Wildlife in Knowle doesn’t shout — it waits. It rewards those who slow their pace, put down their phones, and look a little closer. Whether you’re walking the canal, meandering through the park, or cutting through a country footpath, take a moment to listen. The rustle in the bushes, the splash on the water, the flash of feathers — they’re all reminders that nature is here, sharing our space.
So next time you’re out, bring a pair of binoculars, or just a sense of curiosity. You never know who you’ll spot in Knowle.
