Cornwall Climate catch ups: The Lone Kayaker

Each of our films is presented by a local community member with lived experience of the issues explored—whether it’s a kayaker witnessing firsthand how climate change is affecting our water supply or an organic beef farmer grappling with the impacts of modern animal agriculture.

In our new blog series, Cornwall Climate Catch Ups, we reconnect with our presenters to see what’s changed since we last filmed. Through their stories, we dive deeper into the evolving challenges and opportunities in Cornwall's fight against climate change.

First up, we reached out to Rupert Kirkwood, also known as ‘the lone kayaker’.

‍What was it like to present your Cornwall Climate Story?

I was very flattered to be asked by Claire to present the fourth Cornwall Climate Care documentary ‘Down the Drain’.

It deals with fresh water issues such as pollution, soil run off, flooding and the impact on the people and animals of the region.

This is very much up my street because I spend a large amount of time paddling my kayak around the waterways and coast of Devon and Cornwall.

I enjoy the complete silence and fantastic array of wild creatures so much that I have paddled every inch of coast, creek and river of Devon and Cornwall over the last twenty years, and clocked up a total of over 33,000 miles.

This is the culmination of a childhood dream. I was brought up in very much landlocked Berkshire but have had a lifelong passion for natural history and fascination of the sea.

How has your story moved on?

Although my most thrilling encounters have been with whales, dolphins, sharks and Giant Tuna far out to sea, I am frequently forced to seek shelter up the estuaries by inclement weather. The stronger the wind the further inland I venture, so I frequently find myself paddling in the upper reaches and freshwater stretches of the many river valleys that perforate the Cornish coast.

In fact this seems to be happening more and more often as the wind blows harder, and for longer, each year…undoubtedly one of the many symptoms of climate change.

This is not a problem for me, however, because the wildlife of the rivers never disappoints. As I slip silently along the twisting tree-clad valleys I am tuned in to every twitter and twitch, whether it’s the sensational dawn chorus in the spring, a turquoise flash of a kingfisher or the swirl of an otter.

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Beavers are on the increase around the upper estuaries of Cornwall, swimming along in a much more steady ‘tugboat’ manner than the super-fast and slithery otters. They are very shy and charming creatures and an absolute pleasure to watch. It is lovely to see them back and being busy in a way that can only be of benefit to the local wetlands.

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There is change in bird species as well, partly as a result of conservation and partly climate warming. Migrating Ospreys are now regular visitors the Cornish rivers and creeks in the autumn, whilst egrets and Cetti’s warblers are relative newcomers, expanding their range northwards from France.

Some waterside birds such as Common Sandpipers, which used to migrate to Africa for the winter, increasingly decide to spend the chilly months along south coast estuaries.

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Although I don’t see much of what is going on below the surface, there has been a significant decrease in the number of big fish…salmon and sea trout… jumping in the rivers. This is a complicated problem, undoubtedly with a heavy involvement with climate change, and it is a big one. These fish, their eggs and fry are an integral part of the ecosystem and their disappearance creates a gaping hole.

It can’t be good news for otters which I frequently saw eating a large fish prior to 2014, but not since then.

So there is a complex mix of good and bad news in Cornwall’s freshwater wildlife, all of which I soak up (together with the downpours), as I paddle around looking and listening.

I record all my adventures including pics and videos on my blog, The Lone Kayaker, and submit all my wildlife records to official groups, such as Cornwall Wildlife Trust, to help with establishing the status of all our amazing local creatures.

I am extremely pleased to have been involved in the Cornwall Climate Care series and to be a small part of their educational and inspirational message.

You can keep up to date with Ruperts adventures here.

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