SEPA called me today to let me know that their ecologists had taken samples from both the Girvan and Stinchar following the mortalities that we have reported this week. Water samples were taken and results are yet to be available from them however invertebrate samples have been analysed and found to be no different than would be expected with all taxon represented and in reasonably good numbers. This seems to rule out an pollution as the cause of the incidents. We still await results from the FHI but these may take some time. I’ll post an update as soon as I hear anything.

Regarding the farm pollution we reported on the Girvan tributary, SEPA attended and found that the landowner had taken steps to improve the situation following my visit. They were reasonably sure that the burn was unaffected but I’ll reserve judgement on this until after we conduct our own surveys fof the fish and invertebrate population. We are agreed that things must improve at the farm and indeed the landowner has admitted this himself and is awaiting planning permission for a new shed that should bring the steading unto 21st Century standards. SEPA offered other practical advice as did I and hopefully things will continue to improve. SEPA will keep an eye on the situation.

On the Hagg Burn where last month we reported pollution resulting in a severe development of sewage fungus, SEPA now inform me that the burn is clear of this. We will be electrofishing this Burn shortly to assess the impact on the fish population.