The
summer walk was successfully
held
on
the
River Monnow at Monnow Lodge, Walterstone, on Sunday 14
August
by kind permission of Mrs V Bailey and Mr R Davies.
Robert Denny, Chairman
of the
Monnow Rivers Association,
led
us on a
short walk along the banks of the river Monnow
where
we saw the work carried out by the Monnow Rivers Association (MRA).
This
included the coppicing and fencing of the river banks; large scale
revetments to reduce erosion; in stream work to improve fishery;
Himalayan balsam control; mink control and reintroduction of water
voles.
Robert Denny introduces the members to the MRA and its work,
tells us about the mink traps along the river,
and
off we go along the bank.
Small
fry in a healthy pool
Brushwood
is stapled under the bank to support it. The fence is placed a metre
back to keep off livestock so that the turf will hold the top of the
bank. When the river is running fast, the brushwood slows it down and
not only prevents it from washing away the soil, but encourages it to
drop its load of silt, and so the bank begins to be rebuilt.
A
Trust member admiring a limpid pool.
No
Himalayan Balsam in sight! The plant is sprayed and cleared, and then
stragglers are pulled by hand as MRA volunteers patrol the river.
More
willow brush stapled in an oxbow bend. The many small branches provide
shelter for fish when the river is in spate; and also, as before,
encourage the river to drop its silt. When the silt is deep enough, the
willow sprouts from the branches, and then grows and puts down roots to
help to hold the bank together.
Robert
pulls some Himalayan Balsam and explains how it is
controlled,
and
the members have a go themselves.
The
peaceful bank.
After
the walk, we enjoyed a relaxing picnic in the sun.
