The Future
To their credit, Milnthorpe Anglers have taken on board the Riverfly monitoring with great enthusiasm.  They themselves have identified the need to expand their monitoring programme to allow their trained samplers to have more hand-on experience with the scheme.  Current proposals are to set up Riverfly monitoring sites on Lupton and Stainton Becks on the Bela catchment.  We have current and historic sites on these watercourses so it will be possible to set realistic target levels for the new sites as well as keeping the Trigger level at ASI 4.  Historic sheep dip problems have been identified on these becks (or tribuatries of them) and so this will prove to be an invaluable surveillance programme.  The becks also contain native Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) and  in addition to recording the target groups, the anglers will be encouraged to report presence/abundance of this species for our own records.

It should also be noted that Riverfly monitoring sites have also been established on the Duddon, Crake and Leven catchments in South Cumbria and on the Petteril and Eamont in North Cumbria.  In addition, a new monitoring site on the River Kent has now been set up (today!) and the first result already reported.

There will be two more training days this year - May 10^th at FBA Windermere and at the Agency's office in Penrith on May 17^th.  It is to be hoped that more Riverfly monitoring sites will be set up across the county following these training days.


Brian Ingersent
Ecological Appraisal Officer


Appendix 1