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Discovering the River Petteril

03/09/2025

River dipping at our Petteril Vale Discovery Day was a big hit thanks to the efforts of our intrepid dippers, identifying a wealth of creatures that depend on clean and healthy rivers.

Two young people with nets and wellies wading in a river, looking for aquatic fauna.
ERT staff and young people pictured wading in a river with nets, collecting samples to examine in large white trays lined up along the river bank.

A forecast of wet and wild weather didn't deter visitors to our Discovery Day at Petteril Vale. We were joined by friends - old and new, young and old – arriving with wellies and a smile before getting stuck into one of the most popular activities on offer.

With the help of Stephen, one of our very knowledgeable volunteers, people got the chance to try riverbed ‘kick sampling’ to find and identify creatures that depend on clean and healthy rivers, from young trout and bullhead fish, to mayfly nymphs and cased caddisfly larvae.

The river dipping was a big hit and thanks to the efforts of our intrepid dippers, we identified all eight key river species, a positive sign for this section of the River Petteril. Families taking part used our ID charts to identify the species netted.

We added bullhead, stone loaches, trout, minnows, leeches and a Stickleback to the species list and by the end of the day, we’d identified a wealth of creatures that depend on clean and healthy rivers.

ERT staff and volunteers helping young people to make colourful imprints of Himalayan balsam flowers and leaves on small sections of material by crushing the plant using mallets.

We also found time to bash some Himalayan balsam – both tackling the dense growth that’s taking over the riverbanks and also getting creative with some of the flowers and making a piece of bashed balsam artwork to take home.

A positive day, for all, leaving with a smile and a desire to come back and explore the river again, armed with more knowledge and a desire to help look after this special place on the edge of the city.

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