We’ve just got to the end of the project’s first year so here is a roundup of what has been achieved so far and what’s coming up in the next few months. The conservation work, under the direction of Dr. Mike West, has the aim of restoring natural river processes and improving habitats for a wide range of species from freshwater invertebrates, salmon, sea trout and eels to bats, birds and otters. Fencing becks to keep livestock out, reducing sediment…
Year 7 students from John Ruskin HS spent a day learning about freshwater invertebrates and how they are used as indicators of water quality. The morning began with a presentation to show how invertebrates are adapted to life in freshwater. The class walked down to the lake and sampled in both Church Beck and Yewdale Beck. A few invertebrates were taken back to school so the students could take a closer study of them through microscopes. Observations and sketches were…
The presence of blue-green algae on Coniston Water has been confirmed by the Environment Agency (4th July 2018). Whilst not all blue-green algae is toxic you can’t tell whether it is or not from its appearance, so please follow the advice from both the Environment Agency and the Lake District National Park Authority. Avoid coming into contact with it, don’t swim nearby and keep children and pets away from it too. As with any pollution incident please report sightings of…
Launch of a fundraising venture with WWF to help with the removal of the old and redundant weir at Sunny Bank on Torver Beck. This crowdfunding initiative has been organised by WWF Netherlands to help improve fish migration across Europe and two projects from South Cumbria Rivers Trust were chosen; Sunny Bank weir removal and the re-naturalise a feeder beck to the Gilpin River at Crosthwaite. To learn more about the crowdfunding projects visit https://crowdfunding.wnf.nl/
We were out litter picking on Wednesday along a section of the River Crake, working downstream from Spark Bridge with our brilliant volunteers and using new litter pickers. We collected 6 bags worth of litter & an old piece of iron fencing – not as much as we thought we might collect – which was good but there was a lot of plastic which wasn’t so good. Some of the more unusual items did raise a chuckle and some eyebrows including…
Latest phase in beck naturalisation at Thurston Outdoor Education Centre. Read the full story at https://ccc.scrt.co.uk/buried-becks-thurston-outdoor-education-centre/
We’re excited to announce that Conserving Coniston & Crake will be hosting an art workshop with Torver based artist Jackie Hadwin. Jackie is a specialist in watercolours, well known for her work of Cumbrian scenes, wildlife, ducks and sheep. The one day workshop, ideal for beginners as well as those with more artistic skills and experience, will focus on the amazing wildlife and landscapes of the Coniston and Crake Valley area. It takes place on Wednesday 8th August, booking is…
Conserving Coniston & Crake and SCRT are looking to improve salmon & trout migration by removing a small, redundant weir on Torver Beck and now need help to determine ownership of both the weir and river bed. Currently the four main landowners adjacent to the weir have been consulted regarding ownership, including Sunny Bank Mill and the Lake District National Park Authority but none are claiming ownership of either the weir or the bed. Land registry searches have also failed…
Another great opportunity to have some fabulous freshwater fun at Spark Bridge. Join us on Wednesday 30th May, 10.30am – 12noon, for a spot of dipping for mayfly nymphs and some fishy arts & crafts. Free activity ideal for families, just bring your wellies as all equipment is provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Nearly thirty children and adults turned out on a glorious Thursday morning to spend time searching in the River Crake for freshwater minibeasts. The river was running a little fast due to the fact it had rained constantly the day before but we still found plenty of beasties to have a closer look at. Someone even managed to collect a little fish to much excitement. All the creatures were returned safely to the river. There was even time to do…