Projects

2024/25 Project Updates

 

In recent years there have been a number of habitat projects throughout Scotland funded by the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund to improve river conditions for both resident and migratory fish as well as wider environment and water conservation. As reported last year we became aware of 2 conservation projects proposed for the River Earn and agreed to donate a total of £3,000 to these projects. These were:

  • The Water of May Development Project – The Water of May was previously a significant spawning tributary but has suffered badly from bank erosion and gravel shifts in recent years. The Project aims to investigate options to re-instate the lower part of the water course from a point some 1.2 km from the confluence with the Earn using a range of restoration techniques. As reported last year we donated a total of £1,765 towards the scoping stage this year. The scoping will be completed by the end of March which will include investigation into potential sources of funding for the delivery of options identified within the development phase.
  • The River Earn Restoration Project – this project removed two sections of embankment at the area adjacent to the “Ministers Pool” to reconnect the river to its floodplain during high water events. This increase in inundation should lead to the formation of wetland habitat and a beaver-proof planting scheme using cactus guards to protect young trees will be installed in late March. We are delighted to record that this is substantially complete, and that REIA have agreed to contribute £845 towards the tree planting scheme.

2023 is an exciting year for the REIA regarding projects.

We are organising or involved in;

  • Tree planting riparian areas of the Upper Catchment to mitigate against climate change.
  • Several habitat restoration projects are currently in the pipeline, more details to follow.
  • An exercise to determine the number of eggs in back end hen salmon versus spring salmon for Marine Scotland is taking place in November and December. These eggs will then be fertilised and then returned to the target area as eyed ova and some may be grown on to be released as fry or parr.
  • Our control through spraying of Invasive plants such as Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, American Skunk Cabbage and Himalyan Balsam will continue throughout this year.
  • Many obstacles to migration have been removed from tributaries on the river allowing clear access to spawning grounds for returning salmon, sea trout and native brown trout.
  • 12 American mink traps have been deployed this year throughout the Catchment to help control the spread of this invasive species.

You can follow the progress of our projects over on the news page.