This community project worked to restore a section the River Dun as it flows through Bearwater, a retirement complex in Hungerford.
The project included active participation from volunteers across the communty who learned river restoration skills whilst reinstating a more natural and sinuous river corridor that will prevent further riverbank erosion and improve the river for many native species of wildlife. The margins are being planted up with plants that will not only attract pollinating insects, they will also be attractive to users of the footpath.
The work was fundedy by Thames Water Rivers & Wetlands Community Day, with additional funding support from Co-op, Hungerford and local residents.
Our volunteers are monitoring the health of this stretch of river with regular water quality testing by the Bearwater Manager, a resident and the gardener, we've also trained up two local residents (including the local postman) to carry out riverfly monitoring; and we have water vole surveyed too.
One of the greatest successes of the project has been the influx of water voles to the newly created habitat. Also the cleaner gravels on the riverbed are benefitting fish for spawning and increasing aquatic invertebrate life. The marginal plants have also increased habitat for ground nesting birds.
One of the greatest successes of the project has been the influx of water voles to the newly created habitat. Also the cleaner gravels on the riverbed are benefitting fish for spawning and increasing aquatic invertebrate life. The marginal plants have also increased habitat for ground nesting birds.
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