Greener East Allington report increased wildlife along newly fenced stream

Two watercourses run through East Allington, one runs to the east through Fallapit, and the other running to the south of the village, with the two joining at Flear and meandering into the Kingsbridge-Salcombe estuary at Bowcombe Creek. The stream to the south of the village known as Small Brook, is fast flowing by nature and rises through springs in the hills to the east of the village. It has been quite unpolluted and traditionally supported a variety of resident wildlife, including small trout and a plethora of invertebrates including dragonflies, damselflies and mayflies, all of which have provided some of the local bird populations, including grey wagtail and
dipper, as well as serving as wildlife corridor for greater horseshoe bats.

Over the past five years all these species have become severely depleted because cattle have been allowed to poach the stream over a half mile stretch, polluting the water and creating thick layers of silt, which has choked the invertebrate population and partially destroyed the zoogleal layer on the stones upon which they feed. With the more recent introduction of fencing along this stretch of water, together with carefully constructed gravel ramps for the cattle to access the stream, the water is once again running clear with the layers of silt washed away.

This spring it has been a delight to observe the green banded demoiselle damselfly once more bouncing along the watercourse, together with the short-lived mayfly, caddis fly, and pond skaters skimming along the surface of the now-clear water. The yellow wagtail have returned, taking advantage of the abundance of insects and once more nesting in the bank of the stream, together with the returning trout to venture further up the stream unhindered. The elusive dipper has yet to be seen, although nationally it is in steep decline, although we live in hope!

This rapid turn-around of this stretch of polluted watercourse in such a short space of time, really does demonstrate the remarkable resilience of our wildlife to seize the opportunity to bounce back when conditions become more favourable.

To find out more about this fantastic project and implement similar strtegies in your community, email info@sussh.org

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