Did you know that you have something amazing on your doorstep? @WoldsWeekly @East_Riding @EYRiversTrust @CanalRiverTrust @Our_Rivers @Feargal_Sharkey @YCNature @BDSYorkshire @EnvAgencyYNE @YorksWildlife @BDSdragonflies @tophilllow @BTO_EY_H @HullLbap @WeatherWolds @Yorkshire_Wolds

There are only 210 chalk rivers/streams on the planet. 85% are in England and only around 10 are in the north. Ours is the most northern in the world. Let me introduce you to the River Hull/West Beck.

So what is so unique? Only England & Normandy have enormous chalk deposits & climate created conditions for chalk streams, a globally unique ecosystem. They are characterised by clear water & diverse plant life. They have all been modified by man (weirs, revetments etc.)

Englands chalk streams are famous for their trout and salmon fishing. This isnt a coincidence, the invertebrae diversity & plant life is important. Plants like water crow-foot thrive.

Chalk acts as an aquifier, the water is mineral rich & comparatively stable all year round in terms of temp.The headwaters of the River Hull are designated a SSSI, in part due to the rich flora associated with the water course and surrounding land, which includes remnants of fen.

This land & river is a life vein running through an agricultural landscape.

Unfortunately the vast majority of Englands chalk streams are considered to be in poor condition, ours is no different. This does not mean all is lost, we just have work to do. Widening & deepening has damaged habitat. Combined with over abstraction, it has suffered.

This does not mean it isnt currently fantastic habitat, just that it could be even better. Our fastest declining mammal, water vole is still persisting on the catchment. Hard work from many stakeholders is taking place to try and ensure the species isnt lost.

We also have otter, water rail, cetti’s warbler, brook lamprey (I’ll explain).

Brook lamprey is an amazing species. A primitive, jawless fish. It is non migratory and needs slow currents & clean gravel beds to spawn. It needs high levels of dissolved oxygen & soft marginal silts. Excess sediment from agricultural run off smothers the gravel it needs.

Marsh harriers are a regular along the catchment.These birds were extinct in the UK a century ago and now I see them daily along our chalk river. Don’t ever take them for granted they are a huge conservation success story and I have it on my garden bird list!

Today the River Hull & West Beck are fairly clear. Only a couple of months ago they were going through their “chocolate milkshake” phase.The levels of run off which cause the river to brown are hugely damaging, not only to the river but also the land which is losing nutrient.

This increases the need for additional fertiliers & chemicals further burdening the river with nutrients the following winter. With some more careful & considerate land management the river will benefit greatly. We don’t even need to get our feet wet for that part.

So what can you do? Caring and understanding is a big step. Supporting orgs like @EYRiversTrust @YorksWildlife who are working hard to improve the condition of the river. Don’t accept “chocolate milkshake” as OK every winter, it isnt. Challenge land management practices.

As Im sure you know, we are in an area of high flood risk. The land along this river is a flood plain, if it is allowed to be. This keeps your living room and shops dry during periods of flooding.

Appreciate that this river system is a local treasure for biodiversity and in turn our overall wellbeing as a community. Support Nature. #eastyorks