@birdergirl.bsky.social your Wheatear Anxiety inspired my recent @vervalleysoc.bsky.social Bird Notes 🙏😃

Rachel Lennard@birdergirl.bsky.social · 4mo ago

My annual bout of Wheatear Anxiety sets in around late March. They are an absolute fave & I can't see enough! After a poor year in Cambs last year it's a relief to hear of more sightings this spring. This one at LongstantonLagoons yesterday evening was a tonic 😍 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

We're proud of what we've achieved for the #RiverVer since 1976 and delighted that it's all been planned and delivered entirely by volunteers. Come and see us in Verulamium Park, St Albans in June: river dipping for all the family and ask us anything about the River Ver! @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Our volunteers love nothing more that to slip into waders and create a brash shelf or berm in the #RiverVer. What’s more, they are always keen to return months later to top up their work. On the Ver there's always so much to do that it’s Herts Rivers Week, every week! @chilternstreams.bsky.social

It's not always pleasant work but our volunteers are on the river in all weathers, testing the water, uncovering the issues and encouraging solutions. Phosphates, nitrates, heavy metals, sewage, sediment, E. coli, forever chemicals and many more, We are on the case! @colnecan.bsky.social

Every week of the year, in fine weather and foul, our volunteers are out and about checking the state of the Ver Valley walks that each include a section of the #RiverVer. riverver.co.uk/ver-valley-w... @colnecan.bsky.social @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Every river needs water. That's why we have been campaigning for change since 1976, when most of the #RiverVer dried up for the first time. 50yrs later, over-abstraction has been largely reversed and the Ver is looking more like the #chalkstream it once did. @colnecan.bsky.social

One measure of the #RiverVer health is the abundance of invertebrates living in the river. Every month a dedicated team of 20 volunteers survey nearly 20 spots along the Ver to check that all is well. @chilternstreams.bsky.social @riverflies.bsky.social

Our volunteers take on all sorts of tasks to ensure the River Ver and its banks remain in better shape. Collecting bags of rubbish, from cans and bottles to footballs and dog poo bags, isn't everyone's favourite job but we love our chalk stream! @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Whether it's a brief glimpse of a vole or signs along the bank, our volunteers record it all. This year there are 10 miles of river to check, that's 20 miles of bank! Wish us luck! @colnecan.bsky.social

Good numbers of adult mayflies along the Ver at Hedges Farm this evening. Numbers into the hundreds. @vervalleysoc.bsky.social

On the River Ver we love to inspire the next generation of chalk stream lovers! @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Many thanks to the 30 volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to do good things along the #RiverVer. From bridge clearing to water vole surveying; we love our chalk stream! @chilternstreams.bsky.social @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social

Schools, Scouts, Guides and more are invited to take the #RiverVer Chalk Stream Challenge! Loan kit available and special briefing for teachers and group leaders on 23 May with @chilternstreams.bsky.social. More info: www.riverver.co.uk/the-chalk-st...

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the #RiverVer and its little tributary the #RiverRed. What's more, there's a wealth of wildlife and history to enjoy. We love our chalk stream! www.riverver.co.uk/walks

One of the most popular benches along the #RiverVer is beyond repair. It's a great spot to sit if you are walking, cycling or visiting Redbournbury Mill. All contributions to the crowdfunder for a replacement, gratefully received. www.gofundme.com/f/redbournbu...

The #RiverVer has had a year of challenges but our volunteers have shone through it all. The December work party of 20+ pollarded, coppiced, pruned, litter picked, sited nest boxes and more, around #Redbourn. We love our chalk stream! @colnecan.bsky.social @chilternstreams.bsky.social

In St Albans on Saturday? Come and see us at the Community Showcase, Oct 25, 11am-3pm in the Nave of St Albans Cathedral, Table 49. Catch up on the water quality work we're doing to protect the #riverver but ask us anything! www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/st-alb... @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Our volunteers have been out on the #RiverVer in October. From repairing the willow spiling at Redbournbury Mill to retrieving rubbish from the river in St Albans, there's always plenty needs doing on a #chalkstream. @chilternstreams.bsky.social @colnecan.bsky.social

A final #BalsamBash of the season on the #RiverVer supported by 29 of our volunteers. Thanks to one and all, we've combed every inch of the infested banks at least twice. We'll be ready again in 2026! #INNS @chilternstreams.bsky.social @colnecan.bsky.social

It's moments like these that keep us going - a water vole on the #RiverVer, on a recent summer evening. We love our chalkstream!

Have you taken our survey yet? 🤔 And if not, why (Wye!) not 🤔 Take our survey to add your voice to the story of the ancient and extraordinary story of the Chilterns chalk streams! (And be entered into our £50 voucher prize draw!) Link in bio! @heritagefunduk.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social

Many thanks to our volunteers for another thorough #balsambash. Much Himalayan Balsam removed and Purple Loosestrife planted. The #RiverVer chalk stream is all the better for it. @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Great opportunity to join the @chilternsnl.bsky.social team but you’ll have to be quick there are just 2 days left to apply!! www.chilterns.org.uk/jobs/adminis...

Administration Officer

This role provides a rare and exciting opportunity to join a multi-disciplinary team working in one of the country’s finest and most accessible protected landscapes.

chilterns.org.uk

A staggering rise in serious pollution incidents comes as no surprise to the people and wildlife along the #RiverVer. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Serious water pollution in England up 60%, government says

Last year had the highest number of pollution events by water companies ever recorded.

bbc.co.uk

Care and attention was devoted to the #RiverVer last Friday, with the help of some brilliant corporate volunteers from AMD. Himalayan Balsam was removed and waders donned waders for the first time to thin the overhead willow canopy. @chilternstreams.bsky.social @colnecan.bsky.social

Join us at 7.30pm, Tues 17 June, St Stephen Parish Centre AL2 3PJ. FREE meeting, all welcome. Guest speaker Dr Julie Battersby will tell us about toads; there'll be updates on the state of the #RiverVer & plenty of time for sewage, planning, nature & more. riverver.co.uk/open-meeting...

Join us at 7.30pm, Tues 17 June, St Stephen Parish Centre AL2 3PJ. FREE meeting, all welcome. Guest speaker Dr Julie Battersby will tell us about toads; there'll be updates on the state of the #RiverVer & plenty of time for sewage, planning, nature & more. riverver.co.uk/open-meeting...

Final call! Join us this Thursday and support our efforts to revive the Ver. bit.ly/3PwKPh7

Ver Valley Society@vervalleysoc.bsky.social · last yr.

Join us at a fund-raising performance of An Enemy of the People at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans, Thurs 15 May 2025, 7.30pm. Tickets £15 +booking fee. Book here: bit.ly/3PwKPh7 We've had enough of sewage in the #RiverVer help us put the sparkle back into our chalk stream. @chilternstreams.bsky.social

It doesn't really need a test to prove that the #RiverVer below Markyate sewage works is in a dire state. 3275hrs of continuous sewage since Dec 2024 & there's an E. coli level of 20,000 colonies per 100ml - more than 20 times the poorest bathing quality limit. #GreatUKWaterBlitz

There's nothing more rewarding than when 20 volunteers turn up to show to give the #RiverVer a bit of TLC on an April weekend. Light let in, rubbish removed, soul refreshed. We love our chalk stream! @chilternstreams.bsky.social @colnecan.bsky.social