Listen to the Song – The Great Traveller
The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while learning about Britain’s remarkable freshwater fish.
Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.
The Silver Eel
The Traveller Between Two Worlds
“From hidden rivers to the distant Sargasso Sea, few creatures undertake a journey as remarkable as the humble Eel.”
Species Profile
The European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) is one of Britain’s most extraordinary freshwater fish. Long, slender and secretive, it spends much of its life hidden beneath weeds, tree roots and riverbanks before embarking on one of the greatest migrations in the natural world.
Born thousands of miles away in the warm waters of the Sargasso Sea, tiny transparent larvae drift across the Atlantic Ocean before arriving on the shores of Britain as glass eels. From there they enter our rivers, lakes and canals, where they may live for many years before making the incredible return journey to spawn.
No other British freshwater fish has a life story quite like the Eel.
Clive’s Story
As a young angler, Eels always fascinated me.
Most appeared only after darkness had fallen, when the rivers became quiet and the daytime fish had settled. Their bites could be gentle or surprisingly fierce, and once hooked they twisted and rolled with astonishing determination.
I also remember watching the annual arrival of tiny elvers in our rivers. To think that these tiny creatures had crossed an ocean before reaching our shores seemed almost unbelievable.
The more I learnt about the Eel, the greater my respect became.
It is one of nature’s true adventurers, travelling farther than almost any other freshwater fish.
Natural History
European Eels spend most of their lives in freshwater, feeding mainly at night.
They eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures, relying on an excellent sense of smell to locate food in dark or murky water.
As they mature, their bodies begin an extraordinary transformation. Their eyes enlarge, their skin becomes darker above and silvery beneath, and they stop feeding altogether before beginning their long migration back to the Sargasso Sea.
Scientists believe this incredible journey may cover more than 3,000 miles.
Although much has been discovered about the Eel, many mysteries surrounding its migration and spawning behaviour remain unsolved.
Interesting Facts
- Scientific name: Anguilla anguilla
- Family: Anguillidae
- Habitat: Rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries and coastal waters.
- Diet: Worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish.
- Lifespan: Often 20 years or more, with some living considerably longer.
- Migration: Travels thousands of miles to and from the Sargasso Sea.
- Young eels are known as elvers or glass eels.
- Conservation status: The European Eel is now classed as Critically Endangered, making its protection more important than ever.
Behind the Song
When writing The Traveller Between Two Worlds, I wanted the music to capture both mystery and determination.
The opening melody reflects the quiet, hidden life of the Eel beneath our rivers, while the chorus grows in strength to represent its astonishing migration across the Atlantic.
More than anything, the song celebrates endurance.
Against countless odds, the Eel continues one of the greatest journeys in the natural world, reminding us that some of nature’s most remarkable stories take place unseen.
Conservation
The European Eel has suffered a dramatic decline in recent decades.
Barriers to migration, habitat loss, pollution, disease and changes in ocean conditions have all contributed to falling numbers.
Across Britain and Europe, conservation programmes are working to improve river connectivity, restore habitats and protect migrating eels.
Every healthy river gives this remarkable traveller a better chance of completing its incredible life cycle.
Clive’s Reflection
Whenever I think about the Eel, I am reminded that nature still holds many secrets.
Despite all our scientific knowledge, there are journeys and mysteries that continue to inspire wonder.
The Eel teaches us that determination is not always loud or dramatic.
Sometimes it is quiet.
Sometimes it takes decades.
Sometimes it stretches across an ocean.
That is why, to me, the European Eel will always be The Traveller Between Two Worlds.
“The greatest journeys are often made by those who travel unseen.”
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