MRA: May Machinations – Misbourne River Action

Keeping these notes relatively light and brief is always a challenge but becoming increasingly so as more “stuff” is happening. We have always resisted having formal meetings and committees but, as momentum gathers, particularly with respect to “Mending the Misbourne” led by Chiltern Chalk Streams Project (CCSP), a group has sort of emerged for a meeting with CCSP team to discuss communication, priorities, progress, planning etc. These are Mel Barnet, Mike Lowings, Trish Mallet, Julie Hallam, Russell Hicks and myself. There is no intent whatever of sidelining the other 450+ of you and, if you have a strong urge to step up, you might like to come to one of our “Not-a-meetings” and discuss: otherwise we will do our best to keep you posted.

Similarly, I’ve usually attached at least one graph each month taken from our records of rainfall and groundwater levels. If interested in digging further, do remember more can be downloaded from our website though it’s not always as up to date as I wish it was. This month’s GWL trends are as expected but notable is the continued springing into May of the springs of the “lower winterbourne” – i.e. the section that flows over the Lewes Nodular Chalk strata below Quarrendon Mill. I believe this is all part of the gradual but significant recovery of the river since the problems of over-abstraction were highlighted by Vic Wooton in the1980’s. His and others’ campaigning led to significant abstraction reductions in 1998 and more since. The trend line on the attached graph is clear – – or is it? : 1994 and 1995 results very similar to 2025 and 2026!

We have produced a basic schedule of all the properties and bridges from source at Mobwell Pond to confluence with the Colne at Denham and are populating it with contact details for those who are happy to be listed. We are surveying and plotting the occurrence of various Invasive Non Natural Species (INNS) – Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Floating Pennywort etc. Treatment and removal includes volunteer parties to tackle the Balsam – a good start has been made in some locations. If you would like to join the special Balsam Bashing sub-WhatsApp group, please contact trish_mallett@outlook.com

Another sub-WhatsApp group that is enjoying great success is “Misbourne Monitors”. Initially for the invertebrate monitoring team – (aka “kick-samplers”) – it now has on-going conversations regarding MoRPh Surveys and SmartRiver monitoring, not to mention cuckoo sightings. Contact Mike Lowings mlowings@btinternet.com or Iona Mcmillan imcmillan@chilterns.org.uk for more info.

Good work at CStP backstream (twice), along the CStG leat and around Water Hall in April. Work parties are planned for 10.00am on 13th May on the backstream at Chalfont Park, and 16th May at Lower Bottom House Farm. Please let me know if you can join these and we will send detailed info just beforehand. Quite likely, others will be posted on the WhatsApp before our next “not-a-meeting” at Chalfont St Peter Sports Club on 1st June from 7.15pm – All Welcome! (What3words address = “robots.lime.inform”).

Trout reach “Over the Misbourne”, Isle of Wight Farm.

The little dears just love making bridges!