A Slow Recovery

We are gradually getting activity going again but for the moment large scale group activity is being avoided.

One small team is working on the restoration of the first bench at Frogmore Pits. Thanks to everyone who as volunteered to help, once we’ve perfected the approach on the first bench, we’ll be in touch for more assistance. In the current climate it’s not wise to have too many folk working on one bench and we want to get it right as they are seriously expensive oak seats.

Our Riverfly monitors who count the insect life to reveal the water quality are also out again in ones and twos. Early indications are that the Drop Lane area is in good health with good numbers of mayfly and caddis. On the other hand the area where the #RiverVer dried last year, especially around Redbournbury, is not recovering well and polluted road run off probably not helping matters.

The monthly Action Group working parties on the third Saturday of every month will be resuming on Saturday 15th August with a Balsam Bash. We’ll be removing this invasive species from the riverbank to allow the native species to thrive instead. For this first session we won’t be taking any new volunteers – but if you have been on a working party before, you’ll be most welcome. The monthly email will be sent to previous attendees with full details.

And finally if you were keeping an eye out for our August Bat Walk, unfortunately we have had to cancel this event. We will definitely be organising one again in the future as it’s a popular evening by the river.