River Sampling 16th April 2011

Our first sampling session was held on Saturday morning at the ford beside the road bridge in the middle of the village; all 3 samples were taken there. Water level was quite high. Each sample obtained in net using 30-second kick-shuffle technique

Sample 1, mainly gravel bottom with weed and decaying leaf detritus
1 demoiselle damselfly nymph (see photo)
1 caseless caddis fly larva -- distinctively yellowy-green (see photo)
1 freshwater hoglouse (see photo)
1 leech
c. 10 freshwater shrimps, various sizes
c. 5 small hairworms
1 flatworm (grey)
Various other small nymphs -- too small for easy identification

Sample 2, rocky bottom, less weed than sample 1
No nymphs
1 very long hairworm (c. 150mm -- see photo)
Lots of small, thin red hairworms
c. 10 shrimps
Tiny watermites

Sample 3, gravel/sandy bottom, closer to bridge
1 small fish (c. 3 cm long -- see photo). Possibly a minnow or baby trout.
1 burrowing mayfly nymph, Ephemera vulgata (c. 2 cm long -- see photo)
Various other small nymphs -- too small for easy identification
No shrimps

A shoal of tiny fish was seen close to bridge, probably minnows.
On large submerged stones removed from river for inspection, ramshorn snails and freshwater limpets observed.






Demoiselle damselfly nymph


Caddis fly larva (?)


Hairworm (c. 150mm)


Burrowing mayfly nymph (bottom right) + freshwater hoglouse (top left)


Young minnow + freshwater shrimp near its tail