Regrettably, we have Blue-green algae once more at the Reservoirs. British Waterways have put up warning notices,which should be heeded, as substances produced by the algae can be toxic. If you become in contact with ant contaminated water, please make sure you do not handle food and you wash your hands (or whatever has been in contact!) as soon as possible. More information will be in the next Grebe. (Posted 14/09/07 Archived 22/12/07)
Join us for a walk at Wilstone to find migrant waders at the reservoirs. Meet at Meads Farm car park at 2.00 pm. Why not get there early and have tea or coffee and a bite to eat. (Posted 24/09/07 Archived 07/10/07)
A walk along the length of the Wendover Arm organised by the Wendover Arm Trust.
Please visit the Wendover Arm Trust website for more details
FoTR will be in position near the start of the dry section at Little Tring, to encourage participants along the way.
Please call Peter Hearn on 01296 424145 if you can spare a little time if you can help to staff out post during the day, for as little or as long as you wish. (16/08/07 Archived 24/09/07)
The date given for the Wendover Arm Trust's Walk an Arm's Length in Grebe 42 should be 16 September 2007, not October as printed - the flyer included with Grebe was correct, and the web version eGrebe has been updated. Sorry for the mistake Ed. (Posted 01/06/07 Archived 24/09/07)
An automated water quality monitoring system has been 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. (Posted 01/06/07)
Several strings of barley straw were laid out in Startopsend, Marsworth and Wilstone reservoirs in April, as a defence against the possible re-growth of blue-green algae this year. You will recall that it was tried out last year with some success, although there was some concern over the remains of materials used to hold the straw. The straw bales will probably be replaced at some point and the remains will be removed at the end of the season. Please see Grebe 41 for how barley straw helps to control blue-green algae. (Posted 12/04/07, updated 30/05/07 Archived 14/09/07)
Explore Local wildlife through games demonstrations, crafts, walks, displays & other activities – FoTR will be there. Great for kids.
Also guided tours of Bradwell Abbey at 12.00, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 – limited space for this tour; book on day only.
At Bradwell Abbey, Alston Drive MK13 9AP (off H3/Monks Way & near its junction with the A5). Event sponsored by Swarovski Optik.
(posted 16/08/07 Archived 14/09/07)
This is the annual walk with the North Bucks Bat Group, to see if we can find some of the many bat species found at Marsworth and Startopsend Reservoirs. We will meet at Startopsend car park at 8.30 pm and all are welcome, both members and non-members.
Following the Bat Walk, we will walk to the Water Treatment Works Lagoon, where the Moth Trap will be set up, as our contribution to National Moth Night (which is why the Bat Walk is earlier this year). Don’t forget to bring a torch so that you can light your way back to you car in Startops car park! See you there. (Posted 26/07/07; Archived 16/08/07)For a number of reasons, there may be some delays in my keeping the website updated for the next few weeks - I will do my best, but please accept my apologies if things are somewhat slower than usual. Thanks. (Posted 02/06/07; Archived 22/07/07)
I urgently need to bring a recent planning application to the notice of The Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Tring Reservoir. The application is 4/01070/07/FUL and will involve a SSSI and possibly jeopardise some of the wildlife at Wilstone Reserviors. I wonder if you could pass this on to the relevant local branch.
The closing date for public comments in 2 July 2007 (Posted 25/06/07; Archived 13/07/07)
In the last Grebe, the suggested day out was at North Meadow, Cricklade, to see the Snakes Head Fritillaries and it was suggested you go at the beginning of May. However, as some of you may already have worked out, Spring was around three weeks early this year, so unless you have already been, you've missed most of them for this year. (02/05/07; Archived 30/05/07)
Lynne Lambert reports that the new tern raft was put out on Wilstone Reservoir on Tuesday 24 April by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. It is a new design and let's wish it every success. If I can get any more information, I will put it in the next Grebe. (25/04/07; Archived 30/05/07)
See Wilstone reservoir in the Spring. Join us for our spring walk at Wilstone, where we hope to see the returning hobbies and other returning migrants. Why not get to Meads Farm Shop early and enjoy lunch or some refreshments at the coffee shop. (20/04/07; Archived 06/05/07)
As announced in the last edition of Grebe, the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Tring Reservoirs will take place at 7.30 pm on Friday 13 April 2007 at Marsworth Millennium Hall (on the corner of the B489 Lower Icknield Way & Vicarage Road).
Following the AGM, at around 8.00 pm, John Wyatt will give a talk on the Birds and other Animals of Ancient Egypt. The talk will look at ‘field guides’ from 2,000 to 5,000 years ago and will show that it is possible to watch wildlife in the past! Cheese and nibbles, wine and soft drinks will be available at the end of the AGM, prior to the talk.
As announced at last year's AGM, after nine years in the role, Peter Hearn will retire as Chairman at the Meeting; so, we are looking for a new Chairman. If you would like more information on the Chairman's role, please speak to Peter Hearn on 01296 424145.
The Committee, of up to nine, including officers, is elected at the AGM. All other members of the Committee are prepared to stand for re-election.
Members wishing to nominate candidates for election to the Committee, as members or officers (including as Chairman) should do so in writing, at least 14 days prior to the date of the Meeting (i.e. by 30 March). Nominations should be sent to the Membership Secretary, Friends Of Tring Reservoirs, P.O. Box 1083, Tring, Herts HP23 5WU.
The Agenda of the AGM is as follows:
1 Minutes of 2006 AGM
2 Matters arising from those Minutes
3 Chairman’s Report
4 Treasurer’s Report and adoption of the Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2006
5 Election of Officers and Committee Members
6 Any other business
Entry to the AGM is free to all, but only fully paid-up Members of FoTR may vote.
See you there.
(Archived 13/04/07)
As of 10 February 2007, the main parts of the engineering works at Wilstone were completed and the safety fencing was removed, making it possible to walk all round the reservoir once more. The car park was re-opened on Tuesday 13 February.
British Waterways have apologised for the works taking a little longer than expected, which was as a result of the very wet weather we experienced during the works period - in fact on Sunday, the reservoir was full and water was already going over the new overflow weir.
For some pictures of the new overflow weir and outflow into Gudgeon Brook, taken by Robin Pearson click here.
(Archived 13/04/07)
Members of Tring Ringing Group and FoTR conducted a survey of the main reedbeds at Marsworth and Wilstone Reservoirs on Sunday 4 Feb to establish if Bitterns are present. Conditions were difficult because the water levels are high but one bird was found in the Marsworth reedbed. None were discovered at Wilstone but during the survey a Cetti's Warbler was heard singing and 3 Snipe were flushed.
(Archived 13/04/07)
Some of you may have had problems reaching the website recently. The problem was caused by an unfortunate series of failures of the the server which hosts the site, but I am informed that these have now been fixed. Please accept my apologies and those of the hosting provider. (Archived 12/03/2007)
The following is reprinted courtesy of the Bucks Herald newspaper, from an news item published on 18 February
Canal users are set to turn out in force next month to protest against Government plans to cut funding to the popular tourist destinations.
A campaign is being run in March to block the way with barges along the Grand Union Canal at Marsworth in a repeat of the protest that was held in November by the Grand Junction Arms in Bulbourne. Narrowboats will create the blockade at Tring Reservoirs, the Anglers Retreat pub, the bluebell tearooms and canalside at Marsworth between locks 39 and 40. The protest will run in conjunction with other campaigns being run across the country over the weekend of March 3 and 4 with a variety of canal users expected to turn out.
The event is being organised by Simon Weightman and his partner, Debbi Figueiredo, who live on a narrow boat in the Berkhamsted area. They believe the cutbacks will mean the network through Berkhamsted and Tring will become run down, meaning they cannot connect with the main waterways network. Mr Weightman said the canals provided an important service to tourism and without them the area would suffer. He said: "If you look at the villages near the canals, you see they get a lot of money from the people who are walking along the side of the canal. The Government is trying to promote healthy living and the canals are perfect places for dog walkers, families with children and fishermen to get a bit of exercise and fresh air but with these funding cuts the waterways can't afford the upkeep and it will make the areas unattractive. During the summer, when the weather was really hot there were problems with algae and without funding waterways wouldn't be able to afford to oxygenate the canals which would mean the death of a lot of fish."
In 2006 British Waterways were told that its budget for the year would be cut by £9 million, which is about 15 per cent of its grant and added to this it has been told it could see further cuts to a total of £60 million over the next four years. (Archived 12/03/2007)
LATEST NEWS: Regrettably, the works to the northern headbank have been delayed, but it is hoped that the car park will be able to be reopened in early February!
We have received notice from British Waterways regarding remedial works at Wilstone Reservoir. This will close the car park and north west bank (that is the bank above the car park) for up to four months.
Under the Reservoirs Act 1975 the reservoirs are inspected on a regular basis by an independent Inspecting Engineer. British Waterways go on to say...
'The last inspection was carried out in July 2004 and a number of remedial works were identified in the interest of safety and good asset management. British Waterways have a statutory duty to maintain it's assets in a good condition that are safe and fit for purpose.
'The works are programmed to commence on site in early September with a completion date of the end of December 2006. In the interest of public safety the footpath along the north west head bank will be closed off to the general public. Also the car park will be closed to provide an adequate and safe working area for the works to the head bank.
'I apologise in advance for any inconvenience the works may cause you. If you require any further information or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.'
I need to get permission to put the contact details on the web site so if you do have any questions either contact British Waterways under your own steam or send your question to us to forward. (Archived 10/02/07)
In 2006 British Waterways are using bales of Barley Straw to control the Blue-Green Algae. The bales are strung out across Marsworth, Startops and Wilstone Reservoirs. There is a notice at Marsworth Rerservoir which explains that as the bales of Barley Straw naturally break down they give off Hydrogen Peroxide which kills the algae and oxygenates the water (I don't really follow how the water becomes oxygenated). The notice says this is safe and environmentally friendly. For members, the next issue of Grebe will include an article on how this works. (Archived 10/02/07)
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