August

Hi everyone,

As I write, the temperature outside is 31 degrees and significant rainfall is a distant memory. The drought and its impact on our rivers is again putting the issues facing them in the media spotlight and increasing pressure on the water industry and government to take action. For the sake of our chalk streams, rivers, coastlines and their wildlife, let’s hope when it comes, it is not too late.

There are opportunities to make a difference for our rivers at a local level, aside from saving water as much as you can in this month’s newsletter, along with some local and wider news, which I hope you find of interest.

In the media & online

After appearing in the HMWT Newsletter’s top Ten chalk streams to visit last month, Friends of the Rib & Quin received a mention in a local BBC website story yesterday. Highlighting restoration work to combat climate change, it reported river improvement work on the River Ash and the River Quin in Braughing.

I was contacted, with my CAA hat on, by Steph Spyro from the Daily Express a few weeks ago in relation to a story on chalk streams they were preparing. I’m pleased to say that it finally made print last Saturday. You can read the article on line here.

Volunteers needed - FORQ Working Party
Pentlows Meadow, Braughing 16th August

As part of the wider river improvement initiatives to improve the River Quin through Braughing, Friends of the Rib & Quin are calling for volunteers to assist in cutting grass and nettles from parts of Pentlows Meadow in Braughing. This is part of a new, developing management plan for the land by Braughing Parish Council as part of their Greener Braughing Initiative.
We will working from 10am - 4pm. If you can make it along for even part of the day, it would be a great help. Wear long sleeves and trousers, bring gloves and plenty to drink and we will provide the equipment - I also hear rumours of cake!

Water Voles are getting closer!

You may have seen another BBC story at the beginning of the month, reporting on the re-introduction of 130 water voles on a stretch of the River Beane near Watton at Stone (if you haven’t, click on the image below or here to read it).

Friends of the Rib & Quin are keen to see the return of these archetypal chalk stream mammals to our catchment and to that end, Andy Ayres has been trained in Water Vole Survey techniques.

Our next step is to monitor for, and where necessary eradicate, the non-native American mink, which may still be present in our river system to minimise the risk of predation to any new populations.

HMWT are running a training event on mink dispatch on 3rd September, so if you feel as if this is a role you could perform on behalf of FORQ and are available for the training, please get in contact with either myself or Pauline.

Bats & Moths

August is a great time to look out for another mammal, though this time it is to the skies we must look - and listen.

Anyone with a bat detector can participate in a bat survey and the Waterway Survey is a great way to start. Records for a survey route in Standon go back a number years, thanks to Anne and Charlie Rowe and we will be continuing the survey again this year.

If anyone would like to join for the second survey visit in the second half of August, please let me know. The route takes us from north of Standon, down Mill End Lane to the A120 bridge, then across the fields to the water meadows below Standon. It will be dark and typically finishes by 10.30pm from memory.

I will also be arranging a Moth Evening at The Star in Standon, one evening during August. The date is yet to be set, so keep an eye on the website or our Facebook page for details but expect a moth lamp, a white sheet and a pile of ID books!

If any other venues would like to host a moth evening, I’d be very happy to try and accommodate. All that is needed is and electricity supply for the lamp. Correct IDs are not guaranteed, but you never know what might turn up to the glow of the lamp!

And finally

The first stonefly has been recorded at our Cold Christmas riverfly monitoring site by Dave and Emma Blowers since the site was opened several months ago. Stonefly, with their distinctive two tales, are a rarity at our riverfly monitoring sites so it is encouraging to see one turn up here. Full riverfly report here.

Best wishes

Mark