A small group of River Glaven Conservation Group members met at Brinton village on Saturday 14th April to learn habitat restoration techniques from Nigel Holmes, one of the UK’s leading river restoration experts.
A demonstration was given by Nigel on how to restore riffles and pools to small straightened channels, in this case the tiny Gunthorpe Stream (aka the Thornage Beck), close to Brinton Hall.
This was shovel and spade style restoration on small sections of stream, with material dug out of the bed downstream and heaped against the banks upstream. Channel narrowing in the upstream section was also achieved by pushing in and terracing the bank.
In just a few hours we managed to transform a 50 metre stretch of river. It was great that the work could be done using our own steam without the need for diggers and heavy machinery.
The restored stretch should provide improved habitat for some of the Glaven’s key fish species (brown trout, brook lamprey, bullhead and stone loach). The bank terracing work has created improved conditions for wetland plants, especially meadowsweet and purple loosestrife.
We will post updates on wildlife changes along the reach later in the year.
Nigel will talk on the Gunthorpe Stream at the RGCG AGM on the 26th May. Over the course of this year we will hold a number of volunteer days focusing on this part of the Glaven. More on this soon…
Carl Sayer