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Currently the RGCG is undertaking four broad areas of projects; wildlife surveys; practical conservation work; campaigning and ‘lobbying’ activities; monitoring planning applications, which may affect the landscape and wildlife of the river.
Wildlife surveys
The aquatic plant life of the river and associated ponds was surveyed in 2002 and a report produced. This survey work is continuing. Since 2002 we have commenced field studies on the plants and wild flowers associated with the river along the banks and adjacent meadows.
Several members and local residents have covered the bird life. Bayfield is monitored for birds and mammals by a member.
The estuary area is intensively studied and watched by the many bird watchers at the NWT Cley Reserve and Blakeney Point.
There is a need to extend the present activities throughout the whole length of the river especially for birds and mammals together with other species such as dragonflies. Any member able to assist with this please do come forward and volunteer to help in this vital activity.
Practical conservation work
There are however other projects which the RGCG seeks to pursue at their own initiative. We are currently in a dialogue with Angling Water (AW) as regards reducing the nutrient (phosphate and nitrate level) in the effluent from the STW at Baconsthorpe. At major STWs e.g. Fakenham the phosphate level is reduced by treatment with ferric chloride, which precipitates out phosphate. This approach is not suitable for small rural plants, which depending upon location may have an impact upon the local aquatic environment.
The moat at Baconsthorpe Castle is ‘dead’ due to eutrophication, the removal of oxygen and sunlight exposure from the water by the action of algae, which grows rapidly in nutrient rich water, particularly in warm weather.
AW takes a very responsible attitude to the environment and are interested in trialling the effectiveness of a reed bed treatment for the reduction of nutrients. The landowner is willing to pursue this option on an area of the field, and the site would intervene between the ditch receiving the effluent and the entry of this into a headwater of the Glaven that runs through the Baconsthorpe Castle Lake.
This would be a pioneering experiment for the AW and for the RGCG a route to restoring the ‘health’ of the lake, in past years a good place to fish, which is a ‘marker’ for other wildlife.
River meadows are home to small mammals such as the field vole, and as such a favoured hunting ground for barn owls. Over the years, there has been a loss of nest sites, in particular due to barn conversions. However properly designed and placed nest boxes in trees in the Glaven Valley has had considerable success.
Mink have been seen on the coastal stretches of the river. These will exterminate water voles, being able to swim and to get down their bank side holes. Humane traps have been set in the lower to midsections of the river. So far, no mink have been caught, which is good news but a continuing watch will be kept.
The presence of the American signal crayfish has been confirmed with two or three caught at Letheringsett Ford. This species was introduced into the UK for eating, being bigger than the native white clawed crawfish. The import can carry a virus that is fatal to the native species. A removal approach may have to be instigated to stem the spread of the intruder
Lobbying and campaigning activities
The quantity and quality of the water in the river, tributaries, ponds and wetland areas is a major issue in the face of cumulative development over decades. Over the past decade, this has received more attention and priority within Government bodies, accompanied by a greater awareness amongst the public.
However it is necessary to maintain lobbying and campaigning work in this area, and be involved in responding to consultations and involvement with the strategic long term plans being developed for water resource, such as Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMs). The CAMs seek to address any issues of over-abstraction or over-licensing of water resource. The needs of the aquatic natural environment are of concern as well as those of public water supply, irrigation for agriculture and industry.
Water quality problems can arise from careless accidental contamination with chemicals or oil. Thankfully, these are few. The ongoing and more difficult problems arise mainly from the use of agri-chemicals in our intensive farming systems, and to a much lesser extent from STWs.
The greatest problem from farming is the loss of topsoil carried away by heavy rain and entering the river. Over the past year or two, this has had a much greater profile with action from the Environment Agency. Siltation is another area where we will need to persuade for continuing action. We would like to see that action to prevent it happening in vulnerable areas is taken through avoidance measures being made in the higher tier agri-environment payments system.
Planning applications
Planning applications are screened to see if there are any that might have a severe impact on the river or valley as regards the landscape and wildlife. Few do of course, but some do come along calling for modification or outright rejection. They may develop into a saga requiring input at stages over many months, especially if rejected at some stage by the District Council followed by an appeal against the decision by the applicant. In this case, an enquiry is held and the final decision made by a representative of the Planning Inspectorate.
Wildlife surveys
The aquatic plant life of the river and associated ponds was surveyed in 2002 and a report produced. This survey work is continuing. Since 2002 we have commenced field studies on the plants and wild flowers associated with the river along the banks and adjacent meadows.
Several members and local residents have covered the bird life. Bayfield is monitored for birds and mammals by a member.
The estuary area is intensively studied and watched by the many bird watchers at the NWT Cley Reserve and Blakeney Point.
There is a need to extend the present activities throughout the whole length of the river especially for birds and mammals together with other species such as dragonflies. Any member able to assist with this please do come forward and volunteer to help in this vital activity.
Practical conservation work
There are however other projects which the RGCG seeks to pursue at their own initiative. We are currently in a dialogue with Angling Water (AW) as regards reducing the nutrient (phosphate and nitrate level) in the effluent from the STW at Baconsthorpe. At major STWs e.g. Fakenham the phosphate level is reduced by treatment with ferric chloride, which precipitates out phosphate. This approach is not suitable for small rural plants, which depending upon location may have an impact upon the local aquatic environment.
The moat at Baconsthorpe Castle is ‘dead’ due to eutrophication, the removal of oxygen and sunlight exposure from the water by the action of algae, which grows rapidly in nutrient rich water, particularly in warm weather.
AW takes a very responsible attitude to the environment and are interested in trialling the effectiveness of a reed bed treatment for the reduction of nutrients. The landowner is willing to pursue this option on an area of the field, and the site would intervene between the ditch receiving the effluent and the entry of this into a headwater of the Glaven that runs through the Baconsthorpe Castle Lake.
This would be a pioneering experiment for the AW and for the RGCG a route to restoring the ‘health’ of the lake, in past years a good place to fish, which is a ‘marker’ for other wildlife.
River meadows are home to small mammals such as the field vole, and as such a favoured hunting ground for barn owls. Over the years, there has been a loss of nest sites, in particular due to barn conversions. However properly designed and placed nest boxes in trees in the Glaven Valley has had considerable success.
Mink have been seen on the coastal stretches of the river. These will exterminate water voles, being able to swim and to get down their bank side holes. Humane traps have been set in the lower to midsections of the river. So far, no mink have been caught, which is good news but a continuing watch will be kept.
The presence of the American signal crayfish has been confirmed with two or three caught at Letheringsett Ford. This species was introduced into the UK for eating, being bigger than the native white clawed crawfish. The import can carry a virus that is fatal to the native species. A removal approach may have to be instigated to stem the spread of the intruder
Lobbying and campaigning activities
The quantity and quality of the water in the river, tributaries, ponds and wetland areas is a major issue in the face of cumulative development over decades. Over the past decade, this has received more attention and priority within Government bodies, accompanied by a greater awareness amongst the public.
However it is necessary to maintain lobbying and campaigning work in this area, and be involved in responding to consultations and involvement with the strategic long term plans being developed for water resource, such as Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMs). The CAMs seek to address any issues of over-
Water quality problems can arise from careless accidental contamination with chemicals or oil. Thankfully, these are few. The ongoing and more difficult problems arise mainly from the use of agri-
The greatest problem from farming is the loss of topsoil carried away by heavy rain and entering the river. Over the past year or two, this has had a much greater profile with action from the Environment Agency. Siltation is another area where we will need to persuade for continuing action. We would like to see that action to prevent it happening in vulnerable areas is taken through avoidance measures being made in the higher tier agri-
Planning applications
Planning applications are screened to see if there are any that might have a severe impact on the river or valley as regards the landscape and wildlife. Few do of course, but some do come along calling for modification or outright rejection. They may develop into a saga requiring input at stages over many months, especially if rejected at some stage by the District Council followed by an appeal against the decision by the applicant. In this case, an enquiry is held and the final decision made by a representative of the Planning Inspectorate.
