ART Blog

While out looking at Giant Hogweed today, I was reminded how important it is to be careful when out and about.

I had been checking on an area known to be infested with Giant Hogweed. We have been controlling Giant Hogweed in this area for a few years now but a dense seed bank has been mounting up in previous years and the seeds can be seen lying on the ground amongst the plants. These seeds are thought to be able to germinate up to ten years after they have fallen from the plants.

I always brush down my boots before driving off in my van. This is not only when dealing with specific sites, I always brush down my boots after I have been walking anywhere in the countryside. If walking amongst Himalayan Balsam I will also brush down my clothing.

Seeds  from Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam or even small fragments of Japanese Knotweed are easily picked up. Simply brushing down your clothing and footwear stops you from spreading these to new areas.

Today as I left the site I took off my boot to give it a good brush and found a Giant Hogweed seed stuck in with the mud on my sole. Had I not bothered to take the couple of minutes to brush my boots this could have been transported to a new area and started off a whole new infestation. It’s that simple.

Giant Hogweed Seed

The three plants are examples  that occur on all of Ayrshires rivers. However, Himalayan Balsam for example is not present on the River Ayr. It would be very easy for anglers or walkers to spread seeds from this plant from the River Irvine if they fish or walk on both rivers. Simply brushing down your equipment before you leave will stop this from happening. Give it a try, it only takes a couple of minutes.

There are more biosecurity measures that we must adopt to stop the spread of invasive non native species and other diseases. It is now common practice for anglers to disinfect their equipment before leaving their chosen venue. This is a practice we are keen to see adopted across Ayrshire. With the threat of American Signal Crayfish on our doorstep it is important we take measures to stop them entering Ayrshire. This is only one other example, there are many many more.

It is worth taking a look at the website link below which provides much more information on stopping the spread of invasive plants and animals in British waters.

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/checkcleandry/index.cfm

Giant Hogweed control is now under way with our contractors currently working on the lower River Ayr and Annick Water. Already the weather has held things back but contractors are keen to push on when conditions allow.

As part of the CIRB project, we have awarded contracts for Giant Hogweed control on the Ayr, Garnock, Irvine, Annick, Coyle and Coastal Burns. The coastal burns contract also includes the Doon.

I was out this morning taking some photographs of selected areas, this allows us to compare photos taken at the same time in previous years so that we can see the reduction in plant numbers.

You can see from the photos below that plant growth is behind on last year. This is due to the cold weather we have been having recently but  the plants are still at a size where spraying with glyphosate is effective. You can also see from these photos that there is a good reduction in plant numbers from last year.

Giant Hogweed - Enterkine Banking 16/05/2012

Giant Hogweed - Enterkine Banking 15/05/2013

I also visited the Schaw Burn near Coalhaulwhich runs into the Water of Coyle. I had photographed our contractors  here in 2012 and again we can see a good reduction in plant numbers. The contractors will revisit this area in the coming weeks.

Giant Hogweed - Schaw Burn 04/06/2012

Giant Hogweed - Schaw Burn 15/05/2013

I have photographed a lot more areas and could go on posting them all but these are just a couple. There is obvious reduction in plant numbers even just from last year. The contractors will continue  as weather permits and I will update the blog as they move around between the different rivers.  It is vital that we continue to control Giant Hogweed in the years to come, should we fail to do so, it won’t be long before each area is as bad as it ever was.

If you would like to get involved as a volunteer and help out in the coming years then please get in touch on 01292 525142 or email gordon@ayrshireriverstrust.org

Full training to (NPTC level PA6AW, safe use of pesticides) can be provided as well as equipment. The more volunteers the better. I am particularly keen to hear from those in the River Ayr catchment, the CIRB project has funded training for around 25 volunteers so far with most of these coming from the Irvine, Annick and Garnock catchments.

I will also be looking for volunteers to help with himalayan balsam control on the Irvine, Garnock and Annick catchments. There is no need for training for this as the plants can be hand pulled. Again please get in touch if you would like to help. I will put another blog post up in the coming weeks regarding this.

I & H Borland have been busy repairing and replacing bridges for East Ayrshire Council since the floods of last summer. The Slot Burn at the top of the Ayr catchment has the highest accessible point for salmon in the system and the main Muirkirk/Strathaven road crosses at  the bridge in the photo below. This new constructed bridge is a vast improvement on the old one and Borlands have done a great job. It is reassuring to come across contractors that consult extensively before commencing their work. SEPA have ben out regularly to inspect the bypass channel and reconnection and given the contractor the thumbs up in advance of any major water works.

The new deck awaiting the back top

I met with Euan Kerr on site today and as always he was enthusiastic about the Trusts activities and recognises the importance of protecting our freshwaters. It is encouraging to work with contractors that take extra steps to keep things right and are supporters of the Trust. He even told me of the small fish that they have seen in the burn since starting the works.

A big improvement on the old culvert. There will be no migration problems here.

All in all the new bridge is a great improvement and will be beneficial to any fish migrating upstream for spawning. Nice job, Euan.