Improving the natural habitat of the River Duddon and its tributaries for the benefit of all wildlife
Following our very positive AGM in February, I feel a wave on enthusiasm for what we may achieve this year, from all of the members of the DRA that I have had contact with.
It has been a record breaking wet winter. Two local weather watchers tell me that they have recorded rainfall figures of over two metres [seven feet] since May 2023. I have seen for myself the many times the River Duddon has burst its banks and flooded my fields near Duddon Bridge. During the biggest flood in January, the Ulpha road was closed for several hours under three feet of water and I met two moles swimming across the road flood to reach higher dry ground in Bankend Wood.
Hopefully, flooding is now behind us and we can look forward to a busy, exciting year with many activities planned: electrofishing, riverfly surveys, water quality monitoring, leaky dam building, fencing stream edges and planting trees in riparian strips, as well as controlling Himalayan balsam, skunk cabbage and Japanese knotweed. I hope many members can join our work parties over the coming months and enjoy the wonderful experience of working together to improve the environment in the beautiful Duddon River catchment area.
One of the things that is most enjoyable about being involved in the DRA is meeting many like-minded people and finding out about their areas of expertise. In this issue, two of our members share their passions with us; bats and peat. Both articles make for fascinating and informative reading.
Details of our summer event, a visit to the Freshwater Biological Institute at Lakeside, followed by a picnic and reed bed volunteering, can be found on page 16. Spaces are limited so please book your place early.
We are also going to be present at the Thwaites Gala again this year, and also for the first time, at the Millom & Broughton Agricultural Show, so please do look out for us and come over to say hello!
As always, you can get in touch with us by emailing duddonriverassociation@gmail.com, and keep up to date with all our activities via Instagram and our Facebook group.
Best wishes,
Rick Browne (DRA Chair)
