Date: 17 July 2026
Location: Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve
Duration: 2 Hours
Habitat: Freshwater stream
Species encountered: Alderfly larvae, freshwater shrimp, water lice, damselfly larvae, diving beetle and Three-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Field Notes
Today I completed a two-hour Riverfly survey at Tice’s Meadow, with the stream looking particularly clear and in good condition. The water level and clarity provided good conditions for kick-sampling and examining the freshwater invertebrate community.
The sample contained a high abundance of invertebrates, including more than 150 freshwater shrimp and over 150 water lice, alongside large numbers of alderfly larvae. We also recorded five damselfly larvae and a single diving beetle. Three Three-spined Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were also caught during the sampling and returned to the stream.
It was encouraging to see such a large number and variety of freshwater organisms within the sample. Riverfly monitoring is particularly useful because the presence, absence and abundance of different invertebrate groups can help indicate changes in the ecological condition of a watercourse over time.
Each survey is also helping me become quicker and more confident at recognising the different freshwater invertebrate groups. Regularly seeing the organisms in the field is making identification easier and giving me a better understanding of how Riverfly monitoring can be used to identify changes in freshwater habitats.
Photographs
Badger Ecology 