Balsam survey in Upper Nidderdale: 09-05-2017

An unusual day for the NCVs today. No hard manual graft! Instead, we carried out a survey of Himalayan balsam distribution in upper Nidderdale. This was part of the AONB's Wild Watch initiative, which is not only focusing on identifying where a number of rare target species are, but also checking for invasive weeds. Some say that Himalayan balsam is good for the bees. However, whilst it is true that it is a food source for them, its availability prevents them from visiting the native flora. It also blankets out everything else underneath and gradually ground cover disappears - not good during the winter when banks of rivers and streams are left bare and are subject to flooding.

The group of 14 NCVs divided into 4 teams to walk the tributaries of the Nidd above Lofthouse to map the location and extent of balsam found there. The information is to be given to contractors to carry out weed control. If we can get rid of the seed source higher up the River Nidd then any balsam removal carried out further down stream will not be such a waste of time. So.... did we find any?

The team that went around Scarhouse and Angram Reservoirs didn't find a single stem...

.... in spite of searching high and low....

...and walking all the way around both stretches of water.

The team checking out Stean Beck didn't find any either - until they reached the junction with the Nidd. 

How Stean Beck - HB free!

☺

Of the two teams surveying down the Nidd from Scarhouse to Lofthouse things were not so positive.The upper half of the water course wasn't too bad with the weed only appearing near the end of the stretch. However, the lower half was a totally different story - all the way down to Lofthouse. 

☹ Oh no!!!!!

We found stems both along the stream sides 
and right across the dry river bed.

In spite of this team's disappointment it was lovely to 
walk the river on a sunny day.

 Even lovelier to be treated to afternoon tea and cakes, 
by the AONB, at How Stean Gorge cafe.

We can recommend this activity - excellent service from the 
friendly staff, tea pot top ups and extremely yummy cakes.

At the end of the afternoon the survey maps were passed to James to take back to the office to be acted upon. Let's hope that something can be done before those weed plants start seeding!

Ros E.