The third location for our invertebrate sampling is Mackerel Lake stream, a section upstream from the culvert on The Lacques. At first sight this did not look a promising location to find invertebrates, the flow was slow, the water level low and there were long sections choked with water weeds such as dropwort, figwort and watercress, amongst others, as well as being overgrown with brambles. Our little band of volunteers braved the thorns and risk of entanglement to enter any

Once again, our intrepid volunteers placed themselves on the riverbank and in the river at the Kiln Lane location – many thanks to Jenny for the use of her garden. With a group of six, a portable table, and some hard-won experience under our belts, both sampling and counting was much easier and quicker than our first foray. The weather was calm and sunny, which made for a pleasant time overlooking the fields from under the shade of the trees. Also, despite the very long dry s