Somewhat later than I had hoped my next, and last, entry in the River Anton Blog. The last year has been an amazing time for The Anton with so much work being completed in, on and alongside its course between the source and Rooksbury Mill. The creation of a new organisation, TARCA, will I hope go from strength to strength and attract many more locals who will enjoy looking after this wonderful river and the wildlife that lives along it.
For me the surveys have all finished and the data has been fed back to the wildlife trust. It will be a welcome break for the water voles, bats, otters and crayfish to have a bit of piece and quiet and not have humans peering into there private lives. I have learnt loads over the last 12 months and have some wonderful memories of not only the wildlife but of the times spent with the other volunteers and fulltime wildlife workers. How could I forget Louise straddling a faggot and missing the kingfisher that flew within inches of when we were on a crayfish survey, or Sarah getting attacked by a huge fish on a water vole survey.
My time in Andover is nearly over and as I prepare to move to Bristol and hopefully become a volunteer with the Avon wildlife trust I need to mention some people. To the other volunteers, in particular Steve, Aidan and Louise I hope you have enjoyed it as much as me and will carry on the surveying next year. To Jim and the members of TARCA -keep up the good work and all the best for the future. I wish I could have been a bigger part of the group. Finally a huge thank you to the Wildlife trust, in particular Sarah, for putting up with me and giving me all the opportunities over the summer.
Thank you all and maybe one day we’ll do it all again.
James Cooke