20/04/2005 - Habitat for
crayfish is being improved by the Environment
Agency on a stretch of the River Ise in Northamptonshire
just downstream of Rushton.
Crayfish plague decimated the population
of native white clawed crayfish more than
ten years ago leaving only an isolated population
near Rushton.
This population was only discovered in 2002
by biologists from the Environment Agency
carrying out a survey after a single crayfish
was discovered following a flood at Geddington
in 2000.
Before that is was thought they were extinct
in the river after the plague in 11000. It
is unclear how the plague was introduced to
the river.
Now the Environment Agency’s Flood Defence
team has started work to improve the habitat
along the 3 km stretch of the Ise downstream
of Rushton, to encourage the crayfish population
to expand.
Part of the river downstream of Rushton is
classified as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI), the only riverine SSSI in
Northamptonshire, and it is hoped to eventually
restore the crayfish population in the SSSI.
The works are part of a long term series
of projects to restore the habitat in the
Ise to encourage the spread of the crayfish
population and other wildlife, including the
grayling and the otter, which is now thought
to be established along much of the river.
Work at Rushton will involve careful placing
of stones and rocks to give the crayfish cover
for foraging, shelter and breeding. These
areas of stone will also provide better habitat
for other animals such as invertebrates which
are an important part of the food chain not
only for the crayfish but also for the diverse
fish species present in the river.
Previous habitat enhancement work by the
Environment Agency has included meander restoration
at Tailby Meadow, fish pass creation at Burton
Latimer Pocket Park and a fencing project
to prevent livestock poaching at Barford bridge.
The project is called ‘Revital-Ise!’
Technical Officer, Nikki Loveday said: ‘The
Ise is an important river with huge potential
for wildlife. This work aims to Revital- Ise!
this stretch for wildlife and specifically
the native white-clawed crayfish’.
