Conservation

On behalf of the angling club a survey of Gilling Beck was carried out by Professor Jonny Grey of the Wild Trout Trust. Professor Grey is an expert in river management with a wealth of experience on projects large and small throughout the UK. He has written many academic papers on the subject and is involved in ongoing scientific research. Following recommendations in Professors Grey's report and after consultations with the Environment Agency and Skelton and Gilling Estates the club has carried out some habitat improvement work to a small section of the beck downstream of the village. Our aim is to improve the habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures and also to help wildlife and birds. We feel that this is complementary to the work of some local farmers who are creating wildlife meadows and rewilding areas of land close to the beck.

The following article explains the importance of habitat improvement work on becks and streams: Success for trout.

See also: What constitutes a healthy river?.

Work carried out by GWFF includes:

Installing deflectors

Logs have been used as deflectors to alter the flow of water coming down the beck. The change in speed and direction helps to scour the river bed, cleans the gravel and creates variations in depth. They also provide refuge areas for fish, reduce erosion of the bank side, help to oxygenate the water and are populated by invertebrates and other aquatic organisms. The logs are fixed in position using steel reinforcing bars driven into the river bed.

Tree hinging

Locating suitable trees with multiple stems. Cutting one stem part way through and bending it over so that it is still growing but lies along the edge of the watercourse.

Tree kickersUsing fallen boughs and branches and tying them in along the bank to provide cover for fish from predation and habitat for birds and insects.

Tree planting

Planting saplings in suitable locations along the bank. Trees provide shade to cool the water in hot weather. They are also home to birds and insects as well as providing cover for the fish from predators. The tree roots help to satbilize the bank.

Ranunculus transplanting

We take plants from areas where they are growing in abundance and replant them where there is none. Ranunculus or Watercrowfoot provides cover for the fish, puts oxgen into the water and is home to a multitude of invertebrates. The channels betweeen the beds of plants are feeder lanes for the fish. The fast flowing water helps to clean the gravel on the river bed.