nicola crockford Profile picture
RSPB Principal Policy Officer. BirdLife Global Flyways Programme policy lead. Privileged to work full time for the world's migratory birds. Views mine alone.

Apr 18, 2021, 7 tweets

After walking from #Freckenham down gorgeous Kennett-Lee Brook, a perfect-looking #chalkstream, as I slipped into #RiverLark at West Row on a perfect Saturday a.m., was buzzing with anticipation for a swim up Lee Brook. But, horrors! For almost a mile a DEAD ZONE!
#MySwim
1/7

Apart from some swarms of fish fry at the confluence of the Lee Brook with the #RiverLark, many of which were diseased, including these Roach, for the first mile, the only fish I saw were diseased or dead, such as this Perch & these Three-spined Sticklebacks.

#Freckenham

2/7

Haven't seen anywhere else the diseases suffered by the fish in Lee Brook at its confluence with River Lark; especially Roach and Minnow fry were affected. Also saw Chub, Rudd & Gudgeon fry in the mixed shoals.
#FishDiseases #FishDisease #freshwaterfishes #WestSuffolk #cambs
3/7

Suddenly just upstream of this structure at Lee Farm, Lee Brook became a beautiful #chalkstream again with pools of Dace. What could be causing the dead zone for the mile downstream? @theriverstrust IsMyRiverFitToPlay app lists no sewage outflow here
#Freckenham #WestSuffolk
4/7

Upstream of Lee Farm, Lee Brook full of Crowfoot, Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)?, Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta) & other water plants as a #Chalkstream should be. Why not downstream also?
#crowfoot #chalkstreams #Freckenham #Isleham #WestSuffolk #Cambridgeshire
5/7

Upstream of Lee Farm lots caddis fly larvae in Lee Brook & signs of Signal Crayfish. In the mile downstream of it I saw only the remains of a rather uncomfortable looking snail & this oligochaete worm. Also bones of cow or similar scattered for some distance. #chalkstreams 6/7

Returning down Lee Brook past Lee Farm, suddenly came across a pillow case full of jewellery stuck against a fallen tree across the current! Lugged it home in case anyone wants to claim? Any recent thefts in #Freckenham #Isleham? Mute Swan outriders led way on the last leg. 7/7

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