The Community River Watch project in Rother is underway, with a focus on healthy rivers, healthy people. Strandliners has been leading groups in Rye along the Tillingham, Brede and Rother, as well as further upstream.
This project has been made possible by a Making It Happen Grant from Rother Voluntary Action, and the aim is for a community owned system of awareness of our local waterways. It is about building up a picture of the health of the watercourse through simple water analysis and wildlife recording. Community groups and interested residents can offer important local knowledge and are encouraged to join in to take this further.
What have we found so far?
The surveys carried out so far around the Rye area have shown very low levels of ammonia and phosphate, and the water has been remarkably clear. Some of the wonderful wildlife we have recorded during the project includes fish, water boatmen, dragonflies, damselflies and banded demoiselles; butterflies, including speckled wood and red admiral; and birds, including kingfisher, mallard, moorhen, reed warbler, chiffchaff, robin, house sparrow, goldfinch, swallow, blue tit.
Why are we doing it?
This is just a snap shot. There is potential for many other pollutants and hazards for our aquatic wildlife and recreational use. With support, we hope small community groups can come together and continue water testing and wildlife recording, so that trends over the year and through weather events (heavy rain) are observed. Only then will we know when further investigation is needed.
Can I join in?
Everyone is welcome. See the Strandliners website for more information about dates and venues. If you can suggest a suitable site for testing, we would love to hear from you!
Image Credits: Strandliners .