The UK's only native freshwater crayfish, the White-Clawed Crayfish is very special indeed. However, sadly it's in decline because of the introduction of the non-native North American Signal Crayfish, an invasive species which has brought with it a disease to which the White-Clawed Crayfish has no natural resistance.

Typically found in small and relatively shallow freshwater streams and rivers, where it hides underneath rocks and in small crevices foraging for food, the White-Clawed Crayfish can live up to 12 years.

An omnivorous crustacean, it eats water plants, invertebrates, carrion and dead organic matter. Just as we need calcium to fortify our bones, so too does our native crayfish need mineral-rich water to strengthen its exoskeleton.

We don't know if this rare and hard-to-spot crustacean can be found in the Montgomery Canal, but the waterway's conditions would make it a good fit, and species records would help conservation efforts - so keep your eyes peeled.