EAST RIVERS TRUST Newsletter 9 - July 2015 Derwent Catchment Partnership Although the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust Their findings included: a review of the implementation plan; a spreadsheet of the are hosts along with the Yorkshire Wildlife existing evidence base about the Catchment Partnership activity Trust for the Derwent catchment, we must environmental status of the catchment and requirements identified in the workshops; rely on partnership working to deliver the requirements for effectively monitoring and a summary spreadsheet of the many improvements that are needed in the progress towards achieving the vision for findings of the research progessed into catchment and even to prevent the catchment; an analysis of the options existing, relevant programmes, projects deterioration due to the many pressures for an appropriate partnership structure, and initiatives and their relevance to the on the environment. There are already with implementation recommendations; an Catchment Partnership’s vision and goals. some partnerships working within the outline of the funding options for the It is now up to the EYRT and interim catchment, such as the Waterways Catchment Partnership, with steering group to implement these Partnership, Humberhead Levels recommendations about progressing its findings. This will be aided by an award to Partnership and More for the Derwent financial stability; a strategic framework for the EYRT from the Catchment Partnership Project, but a coordinated approach the Catchment Partnership and an outline Action Fund for this purpose. between these and other stakeholders was needed. Defra grants are made available for projects approved by catchment partnerships. Yorkshire Derwent Restoration Several interested parties came Project – Upstream Phase – Seph together to form an interim steering group with the intention of forming a catchment Another project funded by the Catchment largely controlled); and farm and partnership for the Derwent catchment. Partnership Action Fund is designed to equestrian yard run-off. Some of the This group commissioned a consultant, improve the , a Rye tributary, sources of sediment identified may be Icarus, to help develop a vision, objectives where problems have been identified eligible to be controlled by CSF grants, and strategic framework for the with inputs of sediments, with fish but others may not. development of a catchment and passage and with management of trees The project will undertake landscape scale partnership. The and woody debris. These issues were sympathetic management of large objective, through engagement and identified within a Wild Trout Trust report. woody debris to help stabilise banks consultation, would place the Derwent on The project should provide best and reduce bank erosion whilst also a national level footing for taking forward practice demonstration sites for large creating important habitat and fish delivery and to draw down appropriate woody debris and erosion management, spawning areas. Where appropriate resources. a fish passage easement at Low Mill and, the project will cut back over hanging The consultants carried out a baseline in conjunction with Catchment Sensitive trees to reduce over shading. survey to a broad network of stakeholders; Farming, should provide a significant Demonstrate sympathetic established a Process Advisory Group who improvement in sediment pollution within management of riparian trees and carried out two online surveys; held three this part of the catchment. The project large woody debris. participative, linked workshops with will particularly seek to address The project will identify causes of stakeholders (representing some 30 excessive fine sedimentation. Likely bank erosion and demonstrate organisations and two landowners); sources include: stock poaching, arising sympathetic bank erosion repairs, conducted a wide-ranging review of from a lack of buffer strips and riparian including habitat improvement works. existing, relevant partnerships, projects fencing; stream crossings and road and Barriers to fish migration are a and initiatives across the catchment; and track drainage; bank erosion relating to significant issue on the Derwent conducted research to establish tree and large woody debris Management Catchment. This project organisational structures adopted by management; Invasive Non Native will improve fish passage at a known catchment partnerships elsewhere. Species of plants (Himalayan balsam - location on the River Seph at Low Mill. Howsham Bridge Project 2014 As part of the River Derwent Restoration hire specialist mats for the heavy plant Silt control projects undertaken at Lendales Project the ‘Restoration Plan’ identifies machinery to traverse the land along several issues which contribute to the the river bank in order to minimise unfavourable status of the Yorkshire damage. Although these mats added to Farm, Kirby Misperton, 2014 River Derwent SSSI. One of the issues the cost of this phase of the project, identified along the full length of the they have reduced construction The Derwent Restoration Plan identifies silt carried silt directly into the receiving water the required skills to construct a “water river is to ‘manage sediment input’ and damage and the costs of reinstatement. as one of the main contributing factors course. gate”. Both applications were successful ‘fence off trampled sections to allow to The look of the finished construction leading to the unfavourable status of the To address these issues, an application and the work was funded 50% from each revegetate’. Along several sections of and minimised damage has gained Yorkshire Derwent in regards to its SSSI was made both to Sita’s Enriching Nature funder. The relevant permission was the river we have undertaken this glowing approval from the landowner designation. Cattle poaching of the river fund and the local Catchment Sensitive sought from and granted by the relatively easy remedy, fencing off the for the management of the project so banks is one of the main pathways by Farming officer for a project. It was Environment Agency. Local searches for stock from the river bank, to stop far. The construction phase was which silt enters the river and cattle in the proposed that these drinking areas be all utilities were undertaken and sediment entering the river. However at completed on 7th November 2014. river also allows direct entry of animal made permanent and the areas of bare discussions were entered into with the Howsham Bridge, which spans the The East Yorkshire Rivers Trust waste to the water body. earth addressed in such a way as to landowner to ensure all Health and Safety Derwent, we found that fencing alone would like to thank the Sita funders for At Lendales Farm, four locations were ensure little silt entered the watercourse issues were addressed. would not tackle the issue of silt their support with this project. The novel found where cattle drank frequently from from these locations. This involved Work on installing the four drinking pathways in the normal ways way this issue was approached and the tributaries of the River Derwent. At reprofiling the river bank to ensure the points commenced on the 7th of October suggested in the restoration plan. successfully addressed is a credit to all these locations, continual use by beef access was safe (not too steep) for the with two water gates directly opposite one At this location, on the left bank, who participated in the project. cattle had left open ground with no cattle, excavating enough material to allow another being created on beef cattle grazed the banks of the river John Shannon protective sward of grass and so allowed the sleepers to be inserted into the river where the cattle crossed the beck itself in two fields each side of bridge, Derwent Restoration Project Officer silt to enter the river freely. In warm bank to create the hard standing and (see photographs right). Water gates were wandering from each field at will by weather the animals entered the water installing fencing to form water gates that also installed on one bank of the Costa walking under the road bridge. This Before several times a day to drink, and in wet would withstand flood water. Sources of Beck and one bank of the Twelve Foot gave the cattle access to drinking winter conditions, when the animals were recycled concrete railway sleepers were Cut. The work was completed within five water and allowed grazing in both not in the fields, rain and flood water found and a contractor sought who had working days. fields without having to drive the cattle from one field to the other across a busy road, with all the safety issues that would arise. Elmswell Beck However although this method of grazing was beneficial to both the In winter 2014 through to early spring weed growth. By late summer/early land owner and the tenant whose 2015 work was carried out at one of the autumn the stream is largely dominated by cattle grazed the fields, the access headwater streams known as Elmswell extensive beds of Fool’s watercress with point under bridge had become a Beck. Initial discussions had been had pooled water and minimal biodiversity. source of considerable material with the landowner in the previous year, A plan was devised to create a high entering into the river. looking at how work being undertaken and low flow channel, retaining the original Stream Volunteers assisting with Creating new sinuous low flow To address these issues, an through his agri-environment Higher Level wide cross section, whilst creating a restoration works works – coir logs installed on central channel application was made to Sita’s Stewardship (HLS) scheme, administered deeper central channel to hold a greater autumn 2014 outside of ‘new’ meander Enriching Nature fund for a project. by Natural , could be depth of water in times of low flows. The The idea was to create hard implemented along an over-wide, weed central channel would meander through availability for a wide range Right: Compare with standing for the cattle allowing choked section of the channel. the wide cross section, to increase stream of species including fish, before. High flow them to move from field to field, but The channel in question forms one of bed variability. Green engineered solutions invertebrates and birds as channel still without continually disturbing open the first feeder streams emanating directly would be used with large woody debris well as increasing aquatic functioning with low ground and therefore creating a silt from springs rising at the Springwell farm and coir logs installed at appropriate and marginal plant diversity. flow channel visible pathway into the river. Sources of site. Over time the channel has become locations. This work is a good (clean gravels) recycled concrete railway sleepers over-wide and when flows subside as the Once completed a sinuous central example of a partnership were found and a contractor springs drop a very shallow water depth channel would naturalise with a wide approach with thanks to sought who had the required skills After occurs with subsequent increased aquatic original channel holding high flows as Natural England, Environment Agency, to construct a ‘water gate’. This before, but critically the low flow water Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Mr John involved reprofiling the river bank would be held in the newly created central Fenton (the land and riparian owner) who to ensure the access was safe (not channel, providing greater water depth for all assisted and made the work shown too steep) for the cattle, excavating a longer period. This will increase habitat above possible. enough material to allow the After sleepers to be inserted into the river bank to create the hard Pickering Beck Rehabilitation standing and installing fencing to form water gates that would The Pickering Beck project has lack of woody debris in the river have all primroses, their primary food source. withstand flood water. This gained received funding from the Cemex had a negative impact on fish habitat and the full support of the landowner Environmental Trust. The project aims spawning areas. 3. The project will fell some trees to and relevant permissions were to create self-sustaining populations of reduce over-shading of the Beck and sought and granted from both the brown trout, grayling and river lamprey Action taken create woodland glades. The larger Environment Agency and Natural within the Pickering Beck and to 1. The tree canopy has been reduced to felled timber will be used to stabilise England. improve habitat for the nationally rare allow sunlight to reach the stream and the banks and block silt pathways. Large After considerable planning and Duke of Burgundy Butterfly. forest floor. This will promote the growth of woody debris will be introduced into preparation, the work to construct This work is part of an ongoing plant species that will increase the the Beck to provide habitat for the water gates commenced on 4th project being run by the East Yorkshire biodiversity of the forest. invertebrates and fish. November 2014. Due to the time of Rivers Trust (EYRT) in partnership with year and the fact that the area we Before the Pickering Fishery Association and 2. The glades that have been created will To minimise damage to the forest were addressing is in a SSSI and the Duchy of Lancaster Estate - the provide natural flight paths for the rare floor a ‘horse logger’ was used to has special interest for its grassland land owners. Duke of Burgundy Butterfly and suitable move the large felled timber within the plants, the project team decided to Wide weed covered channel u/s view – Siltation, over-shading trees and habitat for the growth of cowslips and project site. autumn 2014 Tree ‘kickers’ were made from the material from the mid channel. hawthorn and willow by hinging into the This over-deepened channel will be Collaboration - Headwaters SSSI Restoration river and securing with stakes. created in a meandering form between the The aim of the project is to create the owner’s consent it is proposed to plant This project was undertaken close to new bank installations. This will energise Eastburn Beck - 2014 areas of flow diversity and scour by the species endemic to the area such as trout spawning time and during the work, the flow of the river during both high and Phase 2 introduction of large woody debris. This hawthorn and low-forming willow. several large fish could be seen fighting for low flows. method of silt control has been used in the best positions. The river will, during high flows, create Background many areas and is accepted by most Planning Future phases are proposed on this additional scour pools and will wash out Following a survey of the river channel on conservation bodies as a sustainable way This phase 2 site will be accessed through stream with projects featuring meanders on fine sediment in a natural process. the first phase in September 2013 several of establishing a natural ‘self-cleaning’ flow JSR land on the right bank. In contrast to the Beck and extentions to work At low flows the river will drop into the cross sections were taken to determine characteristic within the channel. phase 1 this 700 metre section is largely already undertaken on Eastburn Beck. narrowed channel and, with the energised the channel capacity. Large areas of silt The gravel bed will be loosened and devoid of tree cover. The exception being flow will keep this channel free from any deposition and gravel compaction were any material gained will be used to a few multi-stemmed hawthorn and small siltation. recorded. This first section of the stream enhance the narrowed meandering low Upstream pointing ‘V’. This structure willows present on the lower section. , Bell Mills to During the very high water some years was very over-shaded with mature willow flow channel. The undercut banks on each has been used on a featureless section Material for creating the new margins ago many trees were lost as they were and hawthorn. Some pollarding and crown side of this section will be protected by with even bed and water depth. The ‘V’ will be gained from crown reduction of Junction Pool - 2014 inundated for several weeks. reduction was undertaken. However, it is green-engineering methods applied to the will create scour in the centre channel. large willows along the phase 1 section. Background It was agreed that as part of this planned to reduce this over-shaded toe of the bank. The material displaced will form a gravel This material will be pinned into the This section of the West Beck is over wide project that the riverside trees would be habitat further and use the material within This 700 metre section is largely riffle with naturally sorted gravel sizes stream channel using the usual 2000 x and of a straight plan form with very little in replaced. the phase 2 site. devoid of any bank-side tree cover. With that will benefit trout spawning and 16mm rebar pins. stream habitat or cover for fish. The species would be all indigenous to invertebrate habitat The channel lacks any energy in flow the area such as alder, hawthorn and patterns which naturally help to maintain a blackthorn. self-cleaning river. This lack of flow diversity during low Planning flows periods increases the silt deposition Following several site meetings with the on the river bed causing smothering of riparian owners, Stuart & Simon Bradshaw, gravels and affects the diversity of we agreed the extent of the works, invertebrate numbers important to anglers. appointed contractors and the project The aim of this project is to create a started on the 24th November. narrow ‘low flow channel’ while at the Several willow trees near the site that same time maintaining the overall cross had began to fall over were felled and View looking at the top of the site Willow spiling used to protect the toe of Bank toe protection using coir rolls. The Picture above showing a cover log. section of the river alleviating any placed on site to be used for the margin showing erosion to the left bank the eroded bank. The small island has rolls are staked and backfilled to These are made from large diameter additional flood risk to the Mill. creation. been retained to maintain the narrow promote natural plant growth from logs cut in half and fixed to the This will be achieved by installing A problem that was quickly identified channel and both banks have been seeds present in the river sediment stream bed on spacers (legs) that marginal ‘berms’ to narrow the channel. was the very sluggish flow due to ponding protected from increased erosion create a gap beneath the log These berms will be backfilled with bed caused by the massive weed growth along the river downstream of the project site. The water depth through the site varied between 0.8 to 1.5 metres. The AMI Riverfly Sampling 2013 and 2014 flow was measured at less than 0.1 m/s. AMI Riverfly sampling was carried out at Serratella nymph numbers were higher Scalby Beck, near Scarborough (Two 2013 and 2014 invertebrate numbers The original plans for this site were a number of sites on the River Hull/ than in 2013 (up to 300 per sample) but sites) have shown the same pattern that has modified slightly by using willow logs to Beck and the Derwent again few were seen emerging. Once This short stream suffers from been evident since sampling started in create the margins and large willow catchments. This involved three minutes again Agapetus cased caddis larvae were considerable fluctuation in flows as it 2008. As with Driffield Beck (which is brash to act as ‘kickers’ to divert the of kicking the riverbed whilst holding a abundant as were Gammarus. receives flood water overflow from the ecologically similar) Mayfly (E. danica) and flow. 1mm mesh net downstream to capture Driffield Beck seems to have been upper Derwent via the channel Heptageneid nymphs are absent but Dead hawthorn was used to make Backfilling of new ‘D’ shaped any dislodged invertebrates. My going through a ‘boom and bust’ cycle about three miles below Hackness. unlike Driffield Beck Stonefly nymphs large shelter areas, reducing the channel submerged berm observations are as follows: over recent years with wildly fluctuating Samples showed lower species (Plecoptera) are present (but only at the width locally by 40%. water levels, weed growth, siltation and diversity and numbers than the other top site). Baetis and Serratellanymphs are Larger logs were pinned to the Driffield Beck (Two sites on Mulberry invertebrate numbers, undoubtedly a streams due to the great fluctuations in well represented at all sites. The obvious channel bed to act as deflectors. Whin Fishery and two sites on the reflection of our fluctuating climate and water levels that occur in this small anomaly is the lack of Gammarus at the West Beck Preservation Society abstraction from the aquifers. stream with it limited catchment area. sites below the trout farms, although their Points to discuss regarding this section water) An interesting find in one of the numbers recover significantly at the lowest of the West Beck include: This is a fed from springs December 2014 samples was a Pickering Beck (Two sites, one two site, just below the Sewage Outfall. • Operating of the sluices that are built just a few miles upstream from the Heptageneid nymph, the first I’ve seen in miles above Pickering town on the within and upstream of the mill. sample sites. Water temperatures do the beck in over 10 years of sampling. Dutchy Water and the other just below River Rye, Nunnington (one site) • The mill owners control the division not fluctuate widely and the water is Also of interest is the discovery in 2014 of Ings Bridge downstream of Pickering) This is a rich river with abundant of the flow around this structure. lime rich and alkaline. The bottom is a isolated Gammarus tigrinus amongst the Like the upper Derwent this is a moorland Ranunculus and limestone influence. It • At present, the priority is given to the mixture of small chalk gravel and silt. usual Gammarus pulex. This non-native fed stream with some influence from has the greatest invertebrate populations Placing a large log close to the left bank natural river course. Only at high Most years there is a good growth of species, from the USA and Canada, first limestone springs. Weed growth is with all groups well represented with the as a deflector. A total of nine such flows is water diverted down the mill Ranunculus weed. Maximum flows are seen in the UK in 1931, is reputed to have non-existent at the upper site other than a exception of Gammarus that has never structures were positioned through the leat (project site). This, along with usually in the early spring when the the potential for significant harmful impact small amount of Fontinalis moss but there re-established to any extent since most project site. These logs were drilled and lack of weed management, has chalk aquifers have been replenished on other invertebrates. is some Ranunculus adjacent to the lower invertebrates were wiped out during 2001 pinned to prevent any movement resulted in very high silt deposition by autumn and winter rains. site at Ings Bridge. when the area was under Foot and Mouth on the lower section of the mill leat. Below: View of lower section of the In 2013 no sampling was possible Yorkshire Derwent (Two sites near This stream has the best species restrictions with disinfectant spread over project site looking towards junction early in the year due to very high water Hackness, Scarborough) diversity and some of the highest many roads near to watercourses. If constrictions were managed pool. Hawthorn bushes on the left and levels. Throughout the summer there This is a moorland fed spate stream with invertebrate populations of all the downstream, this 180 metre project site right banks were dead or dying. The were good numbers of cased caddis acidic source water but some input from Derwent Catchment waters sampled, , Sinnington (Four sites would benefit from the resulting increase bushes on the right bank were felled and (from 30 up to 1000 per three minute alkaline limestone springs. Weed growth is particularly at the site above the town sampled four times a year) in flow and natural movement of the placed under the bushes on the opposite kick sample), mainly tiny Agapetus. very limited but there is some Ranunculus where some of the larger species of This is a moorland stream with very little sediment. bank and secured using steel pins Baetis nymph numbers were high (200 at the lower site (Wrench Green), whilst Stonefly are to be found limestone influence. to 3000). Small numbers of the upper site (Langdale End) has no (Dinocrascephalotes and All the eight indicator groups were Serratellaignita (Blue-winged Olive) weed growth. Perlodesmicrocephala). represented although Ephemera danica, nymphs were seen and decent numbers Invertebrate species diversity is much Serratellaignita, Caddis and Gammarus of Gammarus (typically 300 to 2000). greater than Driffield Beck with all eight Oxfolds/ (Five sites in the were only present in low numbers. However, water levels dropped sharply identifier groups being represented two miles below its source at Pickering and by December they were the lowest (Cased Caddis, Caseless Caddis, Mayfly - top site above the top trout farm, two River Dove, just below Kirkby Moor Side I’ve seen in 30 years. Invertebrate (Ephemera danica), Blue-winged Olive sites between the top trout farm and (One site sampled infrequently) numbers also declined markedly. (Serratellaignita), Heptageneidae, Olives the lower trout farm, one site just below This is a very overgrown stream with By February 2014 water levels had (Baetidae), Stoneflies and Gammarus the lower trout farm and the lowest site moorland origin and quite silty in many recovered but by April they were (Shrimps). However, the overall numbers just below the Yorkshire Water sewage areas around the sample site. dropping despite extensive weed of invertebrates are much lower than the outfall) All 8 indicator groups are present at growth. High summer Baetis nymph more productive Driffield Beck. This is a spring-fed limestone stream with this site with only Baetis nymphs being numbers (up to 2500 per sample) were In both 2013 and 2014 Baetis nymphs stable flows and water temperature. Weed abundant. not reflected in good hatches of sub- and Heptageneid nymphs were the most growth is extensive with a variety of imagos (at least not during daylight). abundant invertebrates with samples species including Ranunculus and Most of the sites sampled show healthy containing into the low hundreds. Stonefly Starwort. Sadly ten years ago it habitats. However, water level fluctuations nymphs were abundant in the upper site underwent a catastrophic decline as a on Driffield Beck are of concern as is the (Langdale End), as were Paraleptophlebia fishery and despite much work by the health of Oxfolds/Costa Beck, where submarginata nymphs (Turkey Browns) East Yorkshire Rivers Trust, Fish Legal/ Gammarus are struggling in some areas In search of Synagapetus dubitans (not included in the eight identifier Angling Trust, Environment Agency and and the wild trout and grayling populations A first for discovering a micro-caddis not At least one other site was known to numbers! The cases of the small caddis groups). Gammarus were present in all Pickering Fishery Association the have crashed catastrophically. previously recorded in the UK happened seemingly match the conditions required measured similar to the figures given in samples in low numbers (10s). During the problems have yet to be resolved. Dave Southall to Stuart Crofts (Riverfly Partnership) in for this caddis but for the time being it was Stuart’s paper so I e-mailed him the summer months low numbers of Serratella 2010. A casual sweep of a hand net (eventually) decided to ‘test the water’ by same day and the next day samples of nymphs were seen in some samples. through plants on the bank of a spring sampling the plantation spring(s) pool on all caddis found on the site was posted Mayfly nymphs (Ephemera danica), fed stream revealed one adult the 13th May 2015. On arrival three to him for identification. Caddis larvae (both cased and uncased) Synagapetus dubitans, a very small springs were seen to be breaking the Unfortunately, hope didn’t spring were infrequently found. caddis thought to be found only in surface of the pool (still active after a long eternal this time... the micro-caddis was The Langdale End site samples often Europe and not in the UK. Later the dry winter and Spring), with a forth hidden identified as Agapetus fuscipes, a contained our native White Clawed identification of the insect was on the edge of the pool beneath common species, and the others as Silo Crayfish. confirmed, and in 2011 was discovered overhanging vegetation. The most pallipes and two Limnephilidae species. at several other sites in North Yorkshire. powerful spring was spilling out a fair However, the pool and bankside Later, in 2012, during work by the EYRT amount of water which flowed over a bed vegetation will continue to be checked at Bracey Bridge plantation, the of small woody bits giving way to a silt for caddis this Summer and perhaps the discovery was raised by Alan Mullinger bed. Not ideal for caddis, but some elusive Synagapetus dubitans will make Dinocrascephalotes Gammarustigrinus and Jon Traill when stood beside a reasonable substantial pieces of decaying an appearance and can be claimed as a powerful spring pool feeding a stream at timber in the pool yielded three or four first for East Yorkshire. Bracey Bridge plantation near Driffield. different caddis species... in small Dave Croft Water Shrew (Neomys fodiens) The largest of Britain’s shrews, with area of stream-bank. They breed long pointed snout, small ears and tiny throughout the summer, producing two to eyes. Fur is short, dense, velvety and three litters, each with 3-15 young, jet black on the upper surface of the between April and September. Females body, usually greyish white/yellowish produce their young in a nest woven from underneath. Most have a tuft of white dry grass, usually in a burrow or under a hairs on ears and white hairs around log. After breeding the adults die-off and the eyes. the young shrews carry the population Distinctive stiff white hairs on the through the winter before becoming margins of the feet, and underside of sexually mature the following spring, ready the tail forming a keel. to breed in the summer following their Size: 67-96mm, tail 45-77mm. birth. small fish are eaten. They also feed on Weight: 12-18g. many terrestrial invertebrates such as Life Span: Short lives lasting no General Ecology earthworms, snails and beetles. more than about 19 months. Water shrews inhabit burrows and come Because water shrews are never out to feed on invertebrates. The water very abundant, it is difficult to tell if their The water shrew is found throughout shrew is most unusual amongst mammals populations are under threat. They are mainland Britain. It is semi-aquatic and in possessing venomous saliva. A mild still numerous in many sites where is most often found in habitats close to toxin secreted into the saliva in the mouth long-term studies have been water, including the banks of streams, helps to stun the prey. Even humans can conducted. The likely reasons for any rivers, ponds, drainage ditches, reed- feel the effects of this if bitten by a water decline in their numbers are habitat loss beds and fens. It is particularly shrew. Even though the shrew’s bite rarely and water pollution. While they can numerous at water-cress beds. punctures the skin, a red rash appears at tolerate a good deal of disturbance Occasionally it is found far from water in the site of the bite which is sore to touch. from human activities, drainage rough grasslands, scrub, woodlands They do not hibernate; they remain active schemes and river-bank clearance may and hedgerows, usually as the young all through the year, diving for aquatic prey adversely affect them by altering the are dispersing. They have low even in mid-winter. The fur is denser than water supply, reducing their food populations densities compared with in other shrews, efficiently insulating them supplies, destroying their burrows and most small mammals. against cold and wet. the vegetation cover. They are very Water shrews are generally solitary, Their main food source is freshwater vulnerable to pollutants and pesticides each maintaining its own territory, shrimps, water skaters and caddis larvae in the water which they ingest indirectly although they frequently live in close which they obtain by diving and hunting via their prey and directly through their proximity to each other in a favoured underwater. Occasionally frogs, newts and grooming activities.

The snipe - A declining wading bird Over the last 100 years many wetland in areas of tussocky wet grassland or rush to hide from predators. The nest is also areas have been lost through changes to pasture is the snipe (Gallinago gallinago). found in these denser areas of rush, land management, industrial and housing The first encounter is often as you pass sedge or tussocky grass with up to four development and direct drainage for land through a wet area of a field, only to be eggs incubated by the female for around reclamation. As this happens, many river surprised as a small brown bird with long three weeks. Young are active immediately systems become disconnected and the bill rockets out of long vegetation in front and are led to damp areas to feed on river channel is squeezed into an ever of you, alarm calling as it flies off. Birds do insects and small worms. They grow tighter corridor, effectively losing its breed in lowland areas of the UK, but this quickly and are able to fly after two weeks. floodplain. is becoming rarer, with many sites now The value of floodplains has long been only home to over-wintering birds. If you understood and one group of birds rely are lucky enough to have breeding snipe more heavily on them than many others. you may witness the amazing courtship Wading birds, by their very name, need display flights of male birds as they dive areas of marsh, fen and open water to up and down at dusk. The flight is feed, roost and breed. Today there are accompanied by a distinctive ‘drumming’ fewer lowland wetland sites able to call which is actually made by air passing support breeding waders with many now and vibrating through the outer tail restricted to upland sites or breeding in feathers. continental Europe and only returning to It feeds on worms and molluscs in the UK for the winter months. shallow water or the muddy margins of a One species that you may encounter wetland area and needs thick vegetation

The Snipe - a bird now on the Amber List due to declining numbers