Spring 2014 | Issue 1

In this issue: A work from our Chairman Tackling Himalayan Balsam River Invertebrate monitoring Water Framework Directive Delivery The search for Ratty! Case Studies: River Cerdin Afon Fleur Afon Morgennau Afon Arberth And more...

ABOUT US: The Teifi Rivers Trust was established by a group with proven track records in river conservation. We live locally and have a broad based pool of environmental management and business expertise. Many of us were born in the area and have a deep attachment to the Teifi while others are newer arrivals who have been inspired by the rivers and surrounding countryside that create the Teifi Valley, one of the most impressive and biologically diverse river systems in Britain. Our aim is to improve the lakes rivers and streams which make up the Teifi by educating and inspiring the communities along the valleys and engaging them in conservation projects which will have a positive impact on the quality of the river and its catchments. CONTACT US: Teifi Rivers Trust Room 101 The Porth Hotel Llandysul Ceredigion SA44 4QS admin@teifiriverstrust.com Registered Charity Number: 1123876 FOLLOW US:

Teifi Rivers Trust Newsletter

Spring 2014 | Issue 1

A word from our Chairman...

Welcome to this, the first newsletter of the Teifi Rivers Trust.
The coming year promises to be a busy one which sees the final period of delivery for the flagship Environmental Improvements to Sustain Welsh Fisheries (EISWF) Project. This European Fisheries Fund project began in 2009 with Afonydd Cymru, of which Teifi Rivers Trust is a member Trust, securing over one and a half million pounds of funding from EFF and Welsh Government. Through this funding it has been possible to deliver significant improvements to Welsh rivers and the riverine habitat. The funding has supported an ambitious programme aimed at delivering benefits to migratory fish by increasing their access to spawning areas through the improvement of the water quality and river habitat restoration through the completion of easements of obstructions to fish passage, liming schemes and habitat restoration schemes. As part of the project Teifi Rivers Trust has completed 34 improvement schemes, put in place over 26 kms of double bank fencing, and by using skilled and experienced local contractors contributed over 311,000 to the local economy. The final delivery period hopes to deliver more projects across the regions rivers so if you are aware of local landowners wishing to work with us to develop and deliver schemes that will protect and improve local watercourses please let us know and we will explore the possibility of working with them all improvement schemes delivered under EISWF are fully funded and incur no costs for participating landowners. Read about some of the work undertaken in the projects section of this newsletter. Volunteer efforts have been an important aspect of the work of the Trust and we are grateful for the contributions of our volunteers who regularly carry out invertebrate monitoring on their local rivers and also to the others who have helped carry surveys on the Fflur, Nant Gorffen, Morgennau and the Clettwr. The Trust is keen to develop and increase its volunteer resource and hopes to train more invertebrate monitors; the article on monitoring provides further information about our plans to hold a training course later in the year. Delivering further projects and gathering information for future funding bids often begins with the work of volunteers, see our article on the River Fflur. Supporting volunteers and co-ordinating activities to keep them busy is vitally important to our future and we are seeking a voluntary volunteer co-ordinator, see the Future Opportunities article for further details. Hopefully this will be the first of many future newsletters and we welcome any comments or indeed articles you would like considered for inclusion in the next publication. Please dont hesitate to get in touch with your views and ideas. All best wishes and thank you for your contribution to the work of Teifi Rivers Trust ~ Dr Ian Thomas, Chairman, Teifi Rivers Trust.

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Too big to tackle? . . . . think again!

Photo credit: GBNNSS

Introduced into the UK from northern India in the early part of the 19th century this hugely successful alien invader is now often the predominant plant species of local rivers and watercourses and has even colonised whole fields with its tall (2 metres plus) stems and colourful pink flowers. So, whats the problem? The nectar rich flowers are beloved of bees often to the detriment of the pollination of native plant species and in winter the complete die-back of balsam leaves bare earth which at riverside locations makes it more susceptible to being eroded during times of high winter flow. The plant is vigorous and very good at propagating itself with each of the exploding seed pods spraying seeds up to a distance of 7 metres from the parent plant; its liking for wet areas and river banks making for successful spreading of the plant. Such is the prolific nature of the plant and the fact that it has now colonised so much of our native landscape it might be considered that the problem is now too big to deal with fortunately there are groups who have tackled and beaten this invader in their local areas.

In the Ystwyth valley work Natural Resources Wales have led a programme of work which has the potential to eradicate balsam from some 16 km of the river in what has been described as a continuous process but the painstaking work (NRW contractor Thomas Taylor and his team, who even used abseiling gear to reach the Himalayan balsam growing on a high vertical bank at Gwar Y Geulan!) will pay dividends as the number of plants in the upper reaches of the river has become fewer, raising hopes that the balsam can eventually be eradicated. Near Poppit Sands in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park dozens of volunteers have been tackling the Himalayan balsam with people of all ages, local & holidaymakers, giving up their time to fight the spread of the dreaded balsam! The project was started by Cymdeithas Llandudoch - St Dogmaels Community Association - secretary Gill Wislocka. The strategic approach started by mapping the area affected. Then clearing to prevent further spread began: starting from the source, working downstream and at the same time from the outer periphery, inwards. Monthly systematic clearing was undertaken from June to October including stream banks, woods, gardens, caravan park and marshland as volunteers followed the streams path down to the sea.

As well as providing benefits for nature the project has helped bring the community together with many of those taking part making new friends. Himalayan balsam is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild. Pembrokeshire & Teifi Rivers Trusts with West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre are running a VOLUNTEER TRAINING DAY on MARCH 19th 2014 at the WELSH WILDLIFE CENTRE in CILGERRAN. Please come along! To help us gauge numbers attending or for further information please contact: Glyn Jones glyn@afonyddcymru.org mobile 07964 271316

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to monitor water quality, and are commonly referred to as the canary of our rivers. Teifi Rivers Trust, along with Rivers Trusts across Wales, has a dedicated body of invertebrate monitors and through the sterling work of Bob Montgomery all results are passed to the monitoring co-ordinator at Natural Resources Wales. This helps to ensure that volunteer monitoring supplements the routine work carried out by NRW and thereby helps to conserve the river environment. Regular monitoring ensures that the biological water quality is checked more frequently and widely and enables early action to be taken should problems be identified. The data provides a seasonal baseline of the biological quality of water courses which can be used to monitor changes. Teifi Rivers Trust is seeking to expand the number of volunteer monitors and is planning to train further monitors in the Spring. By training more volunteers Teifi Rivers Trust hopes to widen its Riverfly monitoring work to include more watercourses. The workshop and equipment is provided free of charge to volunteers however we do ask that you be able to commit to future Riverfly monitoring for the Trust on a regular basis. Places are still available for anyone interested in being trained in the monitoring technique. For further information contact: Glyn Jones glyn@afonyddcymru.org Mobile: 07964 271316 PS: For all previously trained volunteers who are no longer able to undertake invertebrate monitoring, TRT would really appreciate the return of your unused equipment. Please contact Glyn to make arrangements for return.

Curbing cattle in the Cerdin, West Wales

Photo credit: John Morris

River Invertebrate Monitoring

Apologies to all you seasoned river invertebrate monitors out there you know who you are and you know the worth of what you do! This article is for the as yet uninitiated in the pleasures of standing in a local river and counting the bugs and beasties that you find in your net. Whats it all about? The invertebrates to be found in rivers are excellent indicators of river health and important components of the aquatic food chain meaning that most fish, birds and mammals rely on invertebrate populations for their survival. In a healthy river most of the pollution sensitive invertebrates should be present. Declines in water quality are reflected in declines in the abundance and number of different invertebrates present meaning regular monitoring of rivers can help detect changes in water quality and flag up problems. Invertebrate populations are affected by many factors, predominately water quality, habitat diversity, water level and flow rate. Their common characteristics of limited mobility, relatively long life cycle, presence throughout the year and specific tolerances to changes in environmental conditions make them powerful biological indicators

Afonydd Cymru with Teifi Rivers Trust received funding from Natural Resources Wales 2012/13 Living Wales Fund to deliver 5 Habitat Restoration schemes along the Cerdin, a tributary of Afon Teifi in the Llandysul area. The Cerdin was identified as having a moderate classification under the Water Framework Directive because of low densities of salmonids and issues with diffuse agricultural pollution. Along this stretch cattle access to the river contributed to poaching & increased sedimentation. By providing controlled stock access to keep the cattle to a defined area and reducing time spent in the river the project aimed to fence along identified sections, add crossing points, drinking bays and swing gates. The project included: 1,465m old fencing removed and 2,640m of new fencing erected, 3 stock bridges, 4 Drinking bays including swing gates, 10 gates, 1 drinking trough with 200m pipework and fittings and 2 lengths of bank revetment. Since the instalment of the habitat schemes the river bank has had an opportunity to naturally regenerate reducing the likelihood of bank erosion during high flows and helping reduce sedimentation which will keep more of the rivers gravel beds free of sediment and available to spawning fish & therefore increasing the chances of greater success for salmonid spawning. This valuable work was achieved with the help of Dr Ian Thomas and considerable effort from the Teifi Rivers Trust volunteers.

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Afon Fflur Volunteer Walkover Survey

the Afon Fflur volunteers from Teifi Rivers Trust have carried out a comprehensive walkover survey of the river and the Nant Gorffen tributary which identified issues such as diffuse and point source pollution and barriers to fish migration contributing to the Fflurs failure to meet its WFD target for water quality. Thanks to the detailed work carried out by volunteers, opportunities were identified to work with landowners to carry out a range of actions to protect and enhance the river and riparian habitat. Practical measures such as stock proof fencing, controlled stock drinking arrangements, swinging gates and debris removal from the river were provided through funding received from Natural Resources Wales. The work done by volunteers in surveying the Fflur and its Nant Gorffen tributary are an example of the success bringing a combined approach to issues affecting local rivers can bring. The initial information gathered by volunteers is an integral part of a process that allows funding to be found to deliver improvement schemes by the staff of Afonydd Cymru and Teifi Rivers Trust. If you would like to be involved with surveying local rivers and are interested in receiving training to carry out walkover surveys please contact: Glyn Jones E-mail: glyn@afonyddcymru.org, Many thanks to all volunteers who took part in the Fflur and Nant Gorffen surveys, your contributions are greatly appreciated. (Please note, if you currently have any TRT surveying kit i.e. handheld GPS, weather writers and cameras we would like to use it for future river surveying work, please contact Glyn to make arImprovements to rangements Nant Gorffen for its return.)

Stock/vehicle crossing on the Afon Fflur

As with the majority of Welsh rivers Afon Fflur is failing to reach the Good ecological status required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Entering the Teifi in the upper part of Tregaron Bog (Cors Caron), the Fflur flows through agricultural land used for sheep and cattle grazing with some dairy farming also taking place. The river is used by salmon and brown trout for spawning and historically was known for supporting good fish populations although the present moderate ecological status is as a consequence of lower than expected numbers of salmon and trout. To identify possible issues affecting

The Water Framework Directive, will it deliver?

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament or as its more usually known the Water Framework Directive (WFD) - is a major piece of legislation that will not only shape the future of our rivers and water-ways but will be a major consideration in the work of all organisations and agencies dealing with Welsh water courses in the future. In particular it will help deal with diffuse pollution which remains a big issue following improvements to most point source discharges. Successful implementation of the WFD will help protect all elements of the water cycle. ecological status and it cannot be ignored that some reports suggest that over 60% of Welsh rivers are below good ecological status. It is hoped that the need to improve and achieve favourable Water Framework Directive status will provide further funding opportunities for third sector organisations such as Rivers Trusts and all others involved with improving the quality of Welsh rivers, lakes and wetlands.

With the first round of targets now clearly in sight it is clear that many Welsh rivers, will not meet the required good status and Described by the Foundation for Water the need to take action to address this is Research as the the most substantial piece recognised by key regulators and water of water legislation ever produced by the industry operators alike. Only by accepting the enormity of the European Commission it is seen as being challenge and being prepared to support the major driver for achieving sustainable In 2012 the then Environment Agency changes and improvements with realistic management of water in the UK and other Wales announced support for 21 projects to levels of funding will it be possible to meet share a 420,000 investment aimed at EU Member States for many years to come. addressing water quality issues. This figure the requirements of the Directive and The WFD requires surface waters to meet was matched by Dr Cymru who provided provide the protection that Welsh rivers good ecological and chemical status and support for 6 projects and announced a and water courses deserve. groundwaters to meet good chemical and further 150,000 funding for environmental quantitative status by 2015 with good projects was being made available for 2013. More information about the Water Framework Directive in your local area is status being defined as a slight variation Despite these commendable initiatives , available through Natural Resources Wales from undisturbed natural conditions Wales faces a tremendous challenge in Water Watch Wales map gallery at http:// together with the achievement of achieving the WFDs required good sparkmap.comxa.com/waterwatchwales/ traditional chemical standards.

Support our work:

Our volunteers and supporters are committed to working in partnership to conserve, restore and enhance the water environment and associated habitats. This work will bring lasting benefits to wildlife and to the people of the Teifi Valley and will contribute to:

Teifi Rivers Trust Newsletter

Spring 2014 | Issue 1

Afon Arberth easement project

Upstream of the village of Llechryd, Afon Arberth a River Teifi tributary, flows through an old mill leat before re-entering the original river channel by a small waterfall. Deterioration in the condition of the old channel resulted in the river soaking into a water-meadow leaving migratory fish no access to the headwaters as the waterfall was too steep to negotiate. Further difficulties existed with the design of an upstream sluice and breaches to the leat which again hindered effective fish access to the upstream areas. In October 2013 an ambitious project was undertaken to repair the leat walls, re-establish the flow over the sluice and install a rock-ramp style fish pass leading up to the sluice to allow migratory fish to bypass the falls and continue upstream. Flow control structures at the sluice ensure that the primary flow follows the fish-pass and old channel and the residual flow runs over the falls. Fencing off the leat and old channel ensure that the works remain undamaged by livestock and allow the riparian vegetation to re-establish. The easement consists of a rock-ramp / stepped pool sequence within the downstream channel from the sluice. The ramp is approx 30m in length, consisting of a cascade of pools with notches between allowing a continuous flow through the structure. A notched concrete baffle across the leat (at the head of the ramp) determines the apportionment of flow down each respective channel. Individual pools on the rock-ramp are approx 3-4m in length with a maximum height increase of 300mm between pools. The main body of the ramp is constructed out of boulders of approx 1m cubed or larger, in-filled with graded block-stone and the excavated riverbed fines. The structure incorporates a low water channel that allows continuous and uninterrupted flow through the ramp during low flows enabling the free passage of fish in either direction. The design and layout of the structure was tailored during construction to best represent a natural channel in order to sympathetically blend with the existing surroundings. Other elements of the scheme included the installation of approximately 650m of new fencing with access gates, the establishment of a solid bed stock crossing point with swing gates and bank revetment, the construction of a drinking bay, repairs to the leat walls and vegetation clearance / selective coppicing along the leat channel. As a result of the work approximately 4 kilometres of the River Arberth have now been made accessible to migratory fish.

Restoring riparian and water habitats Protecting and conserving plants and animals Supporting environmental education

If you would like to support us and become a volunteer please contact: John Morris Tel: 01545 590153 E-mail: wjmwales@gmail.com The Trust relies on donations to do our work. If you would like to make a donation, however small, it would be most welcome. The address for donations is: Teifi Rivers Trust Room 101 Porth Hotel LLandysul Ceredigion SA44 4QS

Sluice before work

After: Completed Rock ramp

Completed Rock Ramp looking downstream to a new stock crossing point with swing gates.

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Culverts blocked by debris

Work in progress

Culverts clear once again

Morgennau in spate

Afon Morgennau Easement Scheme

Situated in north Pembrokeshire Afon Morgennau is a tributary of the Teifi running from its source upstream in Boncath to its confluence where culverts carry it to the Teifi within the grounds of the Hammet House Hotel. Today the carefully tended grounds of the Hotel and the tranquillity of the surrounding woodlands give no clue to the areas industrial past, described in former times as; a pleasant place, and a resort of anglers; and a bridge over the river, communicating with the charming grounds of Castle Algwyn. A large weir formerly was here, preventing salmon from ascending the river; and was destroyed, in 1844, by a large body of the Rebecca rioters.1 Whilst the weir may have disappeared the Morgennau has for many years been affected by a blockage to the culverts, a legacy of an industrial past which saw the existence of a tin works in the old stable block of the hotel. From its confluence with the Teifi the Morgennau has been virtually sealed from the main river making the passage of migratory fish such as salmon and sea trout impossible. Work was undertaken in October 2013 to remove the obstructions from the culverts and reduce the potential damage from large trees which had established above them over many years. Stands of Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed together with the potentially delicate state of the culverts themselves meant a careful approach was needed and all work done at the site was carried out manually to minimise the possibility of further damage and spreading the invasive species. The work was completed just before the first of the winter spates and meant that the culverts once again carried the Morgennau into the Teifi and, importantly, the upstream waters of the Morgennau and its tributaries are now open once again to the possibility of passage by migratory fish. Following completion of the clearance work volunteers from both Teifi and Pembrokeshire Rivers Trusts carried out walkover surveys from the culverts at Llechryd to the source of the river some 5 kilometres upstream at Boncath. The survey reports will be analysed in the coming months and opportunities to improve or address any issues found will be considered. With availability of suitable funding work will be undertaken to protect and improve the ecological health of the river. For further information contact: Glyn Jones Tel: 07964 271316 E-Mail: glyn@afonyddcymru.org
References: 1. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Llechryd, in and Cardiganshire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time. http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/ place/11171, viewed 12/11/2013.

Volunteer co-ordinator opportunity

Volunteers play a key role within Teifi Rivers Trust and we are seeking a volunteer who would be interested in taking on the role of voluntary volunteer co-ordinator. A volunteer co-ordinator will play a major part in organising and co-ordinating volunteer activities to not only develop the potential of existing volunteers but also to recruit more volunteers and help Trustees in the delivery of the aims and ambitions of Teifi Rivers Trust. This is an unpaid role and the rewards of working with volunteers is very satisfying and there will be many opportunities to make a positive contribution to protecting and enhancing the watercourses of the Teifi area in the years to come. If you are interested in finding out more about this role and the contribution you can make please contact John Morris on Admin@teifiriverstrust.com.

Join us for our volunteer training day!

Pembrokeshire & Teifi Rivers Trusts with West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre are running a VOLUNTEER TRAINING DAY on MARCH 19th at the WELSH WILDLIFE CENTRE in CILGERRAN. The theme for the day is invasive non-native species (INNS); identification and the role of volunteers in species recording and future actions to combat INNS. The morning will consist of presentations from Ant Rogers, Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnerships Biodiversity Implementation Officer, and from Colin Russell, manager of West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre. Gill Wislocka of Cwmdeithas Llandudoch will also speak about community approaches to invasive species. Following lunch there will be an (optional) opportunity to view the Teifi Marshes Reserve with a guided walk with reserve ranger Howard Jones and the Rivers Trust will provide a demonstration of river invertebrate monitoring. To help us gauge numbers attending or to have further information please contact Glyn Jones, glyn@afonyddcymru.org, mobile 07964 271316.

w w w. t e i f i r i v e r s t r u s t . c o m

Photo credit: Margaret Holland

distinctive 45 angled-cut at the ends. 'Latrines' of rounded, cigarshaped droppings may also be spotted. Much bigger than other voles. Distinguished from the larger brown rat by its chestnut-brown fur, rounded nose, small, rounded ears that do not protrude from the fur and furry tail.

Whats in YOUR backyard?

Ever wondered just how good the quality of your local environment is? Concerned about air pollution, coastal erosion, bathing waters, drinking water, flood and coastal erosion? By checking out the information available on the Environment Agencys Whats in your backyard? webpage you can find information relating to all these topics and many others. Follow the links from the River Basin Management icons to find information about your local rivers, lakes, estuaries and coast.

Help Us Find Ratty!

Mole's friend Ratty, the misnamed water vole, has faced some serious threats over the last few decades. Water voles are a protected species but sadly these cute creatures are in decline due to habitat loss and predation by American mink. The water vole is Britain's fastest declining wild mammal and has disappeared from many parts of the country where it was once common. It is threatened by habitat loss, but has suffered particularly from predation by the introduced American mink. The Wildlife Trusts are working hard to save the water vole by improving riverbank habitats, controlling mink and being involved in water vole reintroduction schemes. It lives along rivers, streams and ditches, around ponds and lakes and in marshes, reedbeds and areas of wet moorland. Look out for the signs of water voles such as burrows in the riverbank, often with a nibbled 'lawn' of grass around the entrance. Water voles like to sit and eat in the same place, so piles of nibbled grass and stems may be found by the water's edge, showing a

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales have an exciting new project starting in 2014 to map the distribution of water voles in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. To try to save this much loved species it is important to survey them, to monitor their populations and to work out what needs to be done to improve their chances of survival such as habitat management. Nia Stephens has just been appointed as Water Vole Officer and will be surveying for water voles from March until October. Nia said It is very important we find out where the water voles are so that we can make sure that they and their habitats are protected. If any landowners know of water voles on their land we would be extremely grateful if they could contact us. If you would like more information, know of any water vole sites or would like to get involved as a volunteer on the water vole project please email Nia: n.stephens@welshwildlife.org This project is funded by the Welsh Government Resilient Ecosystems Fund and by the Megan Jones legacy.

River Invertebrate Monitoring Training

Teifi Rivers Trust is developing a funding bid to run 2 Riverfly Monitoring Initiative training workshops for volunteers who have not yet been trained in Riverfly monitoring techniques. It is hoped that the workshops will be held in April or May 2014 to take place Llandysul. The workshops involve short presentations on the Riverfly monitoring techniques and practical demonstrations at the riverside, with volunteers learning how to collect and identify pollution-sensitive invertebrates. Some places are still available! For further information contact: Glyn Jones, Project Officer Mobile: 07964 271316 or by Email: glyn@afonyddcymru.org

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