27. Lower Misbourne habitat enhancements

Aims: Improve wildlife corridors; Manage flow; Work together

Water body: River Misbourne
Project description

River enhancements to improve habitat from upstream of the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre to the confluence with the Colne.

Led by BBOWT the project was carried out by the Wild Trust Trust, Chilterns Chalk Streams Proejct and volunteers over two weeks in November 2017.  The work involved:

-Tree works to allow more light to reach over shaded sections of the river encouraging the the development of marginal and in channel vegetation which is key to supporting chalk stream wildlife such as water voles.

- In channel habitat enhancements using large woody habitat to improve the diversity of habitats and flow types. 

In total approximately 700m of chalk stream habitat was enhanced.  BBOWT will monitor the impact of these works through their biennial water vole surveys. This the latest and largest phase of work built upon a series of habitat workshops led by the Wild Trout Trust in 2015.  

Project lead: BBOWT
Project partners: Buckinghamshire County Council, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project, Environment Agency, Wild Trout Trust
Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Project start: Apr 2017
Project end: Feb 2019
Funding source: BBO Water Vole Recovery Project

Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting. From an original concept by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.