Welcome
The Ayrshire Rivers Trust (ART) is a Scottish Registered Charity SC030426, based within the Auchincruive Campus of the Scottish Agricultural College in Ayr. ART was formed in the year 2000, and aims to reverse the significant decline in local freshwater fish stocks through improved scientific management and long-term restoration of our local rivers.
The immediate goal of the Trust was to raise sufficient funds to employ a full time biologist to begin the work. This was duly carried out, and the Trust's first biologist began work in February 2002.10 years on the trust now employs two full-time biologists and one part-time administrator. It has become clear to the Trust that there are many opportunities to enhance the environment in and around our rivers, both to improve fish stocks, and also to bring wider biodiversity benefits, including invasive weeds and water voles.
Latest News
May 15, 2013
After a long day I thought it would be worth a quick visit to Nethermills Dams to see what birds were about. I fully expected a cormorant or two to be fishing at the dams but not this evening. There was however a heron, seagulls and a pair of goosanders. [caption id="attachment_3796" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="One of several smolts that disappeared down the hatch!"][/caption] Gordon and I watched as the heron took up position on the left bank below the weir and proceeded to catch and swallow 6 smolts in fairly quick succession... [more]
May 15, 2013
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... [more]
May 15, 2013
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... [more]
May 09, 2013
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... [more]
May 07, 2013
We made the most of the good weather today undertaking essential surveys that we had hoped to complete last year but couldn't due to the weather. Gillian and Helen headed to the Upper Doon surveying for Pearl Mussels while Gordon and I headed to Auchendrane to assess the weir for porosity.... or alternatively Fish Passibility... [more]
