In the summer of 2007, an automated water quality monitoring system was installed by British Waterways at the Little Tring Pumping Station. The system monitors water pumed into the Canal and has been installed to give advance warning of the development of Blue-green algae in the Reservoirs. Water samples can be tested against sets of predetermined parameters to determine the disolved oxygen levels, its acidity/alkalinity (pH), its electrical conductivity and clarity/cloudiness (turbidity). Such equipment can also measure levels of nitrates and other chemicals. The equipment, which is on loan from the Environment Agency, is solar powered and transmits its signals to British Waterways' offices in Milton Keynes. It was in use again during the summer of 2008. (Originally posted 01/06/07)
Several strings of barley straw were laid out in Startopsend, Marsworth and Wilstone reservoirs in April 2007, as a defence against the possible re-growth of blue-green algae. It was tried out during 2006 with some success, although there was some concern over the remains of materials used to hold the straw. The straw bales were replaced several times and remained in use for the rest of 2007 and throughout 2008. Members can read how how barley straw helps to control blue-green algae in Grebe 41. (Originally posted 12/04/07)
With effect from April 2008, British Waterways (BW) acquired the fishing and shooting rights at Tring Reservoirs. BW has confirmed that no more shooting over the water will take place. The fishing on Wilstone, Marsworth and Startopsend Reservoirs is now managed by BW in partnership with the Tring Anglers and the trout fishery at Tringford remains essentially as it was and continues to be managed by Bernard Double.
Up until April 2008 the fishing and limited shooting were managed by Tring Park Estates (TPE) who, together with their predecessors, had been involved for around 130 years. Not only did they manage these sporting activities, they also carried out a certain amount of conservation work in co-operation with BW, so their involvement in shooting wasn’t all bad news. TPE have said that they see the transfer to BW as a positive step.
And it is BW’s intention to ensure that Tring remains a very popular leisure destination for anglers, walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and families. (From 03 & 04/08)
This year's Spring migration seems to have produced a bumper year for Black Terns at the Reservoirs and Lee Evans has kindly provided this note from his records of their appeareance over the years:
The record number of Black Terns at any given time has been of 125 birds in May (in the 1960's), but a total of 53 at Wilstone on Tuesday 6 May is one of the highest day-counts in the last 30 years.
1985 - 12 in total
1986 - 11 in total
1987 - 15 in total
1988 - 47 in total including 29 on 8th May
1989 - 35 in total inc 16 on 9th May
1990 - 27 on 1st May
1991 - 47 in total inc 12 on 27th May
1992 - 15 in total
1993 - 62 in total inc 27 on 12th May
1994 - 49 in total inc 38 on 23rd April
1995 - just 2 in total !
1996 - 18 in total
1997 - 25 in total
1998 - 31 in total
1999 - 13 in total
2000 - 11 in total
2001 - 29 in total
2002 - just 5 in total
2003 - 9 in total
2004 - just 6 in total
2005 - just 8 in total
2006 - 22 in total
Thanks to Lee for the information. (From 05/08)
(updated 01/2009)