At the start of this year the Blyth river warden volunteers planted over 300 trees in the River Blyth catchment. The occasional tree planted on the riverbank will create areas of shade, which will help to regulate water temperatures in the summer and control the growth of in-channel vegetation. Once the trees become established their root systems will also support the riverbanks, protecting them from erosion. The volunteers also planted a small area of riparian woodland and once established this woodland, with valuably scrubby edge habitat, will benefit wildlife by providing food and shelter for birds and invertebrates. The woodland area will also act like a sponge, absorbing water to help prevent flooding.
River Blyth Update
Otter prints on River Blyth
Though lockdown has put some things on hold, Suffolk Wildlife Trust is working with the Environment Agency to improve the River Blyth for people and wildlife, with funding from a Water Environment Grant.
River Blyth warden volunteers planted over 300 trees in the River Blyth catchment. Pic: Sarah Groves
During the summer, the river wardens were going to continue their great work by helping to control the invasive non-native plant Himalayan balsam along the riverbanks. The Covid-19 outbreak means that volunteer workdays are not possible for now, but we have been able to adapt our work plan so that we can continue to improve the river habitat. Instead, we will be doing the Himalayan balsam control work at targeted sites using a contractor, who will be able to do the work safely and following government guidance.
The River Blyth Catchment Adviser, Alice Wickman, has still been able to conduct some monitoring and during one of her site visits she was pleased to find that one of the log flow defectors installed in the river channel last September had been visited by an otter who had left his calling card!
Otter spraint alongside River Blyth
If you are luckily enough to live near to the River Blyth or any river in Suffolk, Alice would love to know what wildlife you spot on your daily walk, run or cycle. Alice will be running a series of online training webinars for anyone interest in river wildlife over the next few weeks to help you find out what to look out for. The topics will include adult dragonfly ID and water vole ecology and field signs. If you would like more details on how to attend, please contact Alice on alice.wickman@suffolkwildlifetrust.org.
Alice Wickman (second on left) and River Blyth warden volunteers. Pic: Sarah Groves