Sunday, 30 July 2023

RiverCare - river sampling results

27th July 2023 - the RiverCare team meet to undertake the monthly river sampling of the river Granta, by the ford. They found several Signal Crayfish and four small fish, including two Bullhead (aka Miller's Thumb) and what are possibly two Stone Loach. If so, the latter only live in very clean water, not tolerating even mildly polluted water, so that's good news.

Also good numbers of the larvae of both Blue-winged Olive and Olive (both types of Upwing flies) and those of Mayfly and Cranefly. Several Cased Caddisfly and Freshwater Shrimp were also found, as well as a Water Boatman.


Bullhead aka Miller's Thumb

Stone Loach (and small Olive larva)

Stone Loach, showing three pairs of barbels around the mouth
(and a Mayfly larva underneath)

Signal Crayfish

Signal Crayfish

Mayfly larva

Mayfly larvae

Mayfly larvae

Blue-winged Olive larvae
(note the wider 'skirt' around the gills towards the rear of the body)

Blue-winged Olive larva

Olive larva (lacking the wider 'skirt')

Olive larva

Water Boatman

Cased Caddisfly larva

Freshwater Shrimp, Gammarus

Pea Clam, or Fingernail Clam - note the extending foot

River Worm (left), and Cranefly larvae

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