April 2009:  Return to the Front Line

The habitat team is back in our catchment, having started the fencing on the Dulas. I can’t wait to watch this river develop; the banks will be festooned in bluebells, snowdrops, Autumn colchicums amongst others that, until now, have been shaded and munched, almost out of existence. The transformation can be witnessed for yourselves from the footpath that runs up the valley from Ewyas Harold church or by fishing the stream on the Wye and Usk Roving Voucher Scheme.

Fencing is about to start on the Honddu, where the streams that we gravel jetted last autumn have fry and some trout parr in them. The fence will protect the banks from cattle poaching and allow the marginal vegetation to develop; creating better, more protected habitat for young fish.

Himalayan Balsam has germinated and so it is time for you to start doing your bit for the river by pulling your “50 a day”. If everybody who walks along the banks or fishes the river pulls 50 plants each time they are out it will make a real difference to control of this invasive weed. I will post more details of our control programme and pictures of the (currently) little devils shortly, along with details of how you can get involved in the “Weed Weekend”.