Thames Wildlife and River Quality
MagnusBurbanks
that other parts of the Thames are in very good condition.
Never once having seen otters on the Thames before, I am amazed to
report that my sculling partner saw an otter at Molesey yesterday, and
I myself saw another later in the day at the Jubilee River wetlands
near the Thames at Dorney.
Cheers, Magnus.
Richard du P
Definitely not a mink?
Not to asperse your skills, but I've seen a crew make that mistake
near the start of Maidenhead Regatta a few years ago.
But yes, when we aren't actually pouring combined waste into the
Thames, populations of eg fish-eating birds have improved hugely since
I arrived on London's Tideway 1969
[Sorry if this comes up twice - I can't divine whether this went or
no]
Richard du P
Richard du P
Richard du P
Definitely not a mink pretending to be an otter?
Richard du P
PS - I've made several attempts to ask that question; sorry if they
all suddenly appear .....
Carl Douglas
Remember the Bellman, Richard: "What I tell you three times is true".
We do get mink up here, on the Thames between Penton Hook & Chertsey
locks. Moving on from Lewis Carroll, just ask Charles Carroll. He
visited us last summer &, just as I was taking a snap of him with Sandy
& Jan, one of the little blighters turned up to say "Hi". Just one of
the trials of being official photographer in the presence of a scene
stealer!
But we've had otters in this corner of the county for >20 years. I
don't know how well these 2 top predators co-exist, but mink are a pest
for every other river creature.
Yes, the water condition & wildlife of the Upper Thames have improved
greatly over recent years. Shame about how we continue to treat the
tidal Thames.
Cheers -
Carl
--
Carl Douglas Racing Shells -
Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing Low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories
Write: Harris Boatyard, Laleham Reach, Chertsey KT16 8RP, UK
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anatol...@abdm.co.uk
stopped using it as a dump for industrial waste the life has returned.
Paradoxically even at the outflows of Mogden sewage works, herons and
gulls flock to feed on the fish, that feed on the shrimps, that feed
on the algae and bacteria that feeds on the ... - you get the idea!
However, the water in the river can be a marginal environment for the
life that thrives within it. Particularly in the summer when the water
flow is minimal, it can become quite stagnant and deoxygenated. Any
sudden inrush of untreated sewage at this time, complete with its
massive load of bacteria, strips any remaining oxygen from the water
which is the cause of the fish kills we have witnessed in the past.
However, we have not seen a recovery of the Salmon that were returning
to spawn in the river in the 70s and 80s. This may be as a result of
the regular discharge of sewage and anaerobic events in the river
which are as common as ever (depending on the weather).
Upstream of Richmond lock, conditions are better as there are no
permitted discharges of raw effluent. The outflows from sewage works
still bear a large bacterial load as there is no filtration or UV
treatment on these plants. However this does not affect the water
quality for wildlife much, but the pathogens remain a hazard for
rowers and other river users.
As regards sightings of otters. I have not seen any, but I have seen
mink up at Weybridge. However, there are numerous reports of otters
reappearing on the river and it would be expected.
With the work on London's sewage taking so long, the things the
situation is set to get worse before (and if) there is any improvement.
Fordmeister
sully
> In spite of all the debate latterly abiout sewage overflows, it seems
> that other parts of the Thames are in very good condition.
>
> Never once having seen otters on the Thames before, I am amazed to
> report that my sculling partner saw an otter at Molesey yesterday, and
> I myself saw another later in the day at the Jubilee River wetlands
> near the Thames at Dorney.
Had a family of otters near the boat yard at Clear Lake, but
unfortunately dog owners use
our launching beach to let their dogs play in the water. Otters
went somewhere
else.
Henry Law
> Luckily enough my wife spotted at turtle the size of a dinner plate crossing the rollers at low tide at Richmond Lock and according to the lock keeper it wasn't a rare sighting. Not sure when a turtle becomes a terrapin !
It probably was a Terrapin. They are an alien species and a potential
menace -- clout 'em with your blade if you can.
--
Henry Law Manchester, England
MagnusBurbanks
I didn't actually see it but that was my first question. The key
impressions he said he got were big broad flat head with prominent
whiskers; substantial creature, 2-3 feet long; fat tail; steady line
of bubbles after it submerged.
Incidentally I have also seen a huge terrapin basking on an exposed
branch at Sunbury a couple of years ago - size of a dinner plate about
describes its size. I nearly knocked it off with my scull.
Magnus
Richard du P
Yes, sorry Magnus, just that I have seen lean, and smaller, black
swimming mammals attract shrieks of "Otter"
Your sightings are excellent news!
Richard du P