Archive for April, 2015
FIRST EVER ‘ECOLOGICAL’ WATER RELEASE MADE FROM AVON DAM
In mid-April, the first ever water release was made from the Avon Dam in the hope that the extra water would facilitate the natural movement of salmon smoult which takes place at this time of year. The release, the first in the 60-odd years since the dam was built, was made after a prolonged dry spell of weather when the river was at the lower end of its normal depth range. This trial release was made after prolonged negotiations between the Environment Agency, South West Water and the Avon Fishing Association, facilitated through meetings of the Devon Avon Group just as the South Hams Rivers Improvement Project comes to an end. However, it is hoped that the ‘trial’ will be the forerunner of further releases to be made for ecological purposes.
Details of the agreement are available here – http://auneconservation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Fisheries-Bank_-Reservoir-water-release_2015.docx
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Tidal Road clean-up: Sunday 10th May , 1500-1600: 2015
Tha ACA will be leading a clean up of the Tidal Road between Aveton Gifford and Bigbury on Sunday 10th May 2015 1500-1600. Low water will be around 1630. This operation will be a contribution towards the Marine Conservation Society’s Big Beach Clean. It’s always a fun social occasion and you never know what interesting and potentially useful junk you might find!
We shall be working from the Timbers and Milburn Orchard car parks at both ends of the road, so please gather there. Wear suitable clothing and bring gloves and any available collecting bags, please.
All volunteers must adhere to the safety guidelines described in the following link – http://auneconservation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ACA-BEACH-CLEANS3.pdf
AVON VALLEY PROJECT
This link describes a Devon Wildlife Trust initiative to restore wildlife habitats in the Avon valley – Avon Valley Project – revised