Articles

By James 

- The past - 

In the past Monk's Brook was a haven for life, with many Water Voles, Ducks, Moorhens and a family of swans.

The plant life was abundant and the water of the brook was drinkable, and all this within living people's memory.

 - The present - 

The brook has been degrading since the 60s, this only accelerated in the last 15 years. An Atlantic Salmon was spotted for the first time in 25 years, though the salmon was weak and dying. I'm fairly sure all the voles are dead or have left for elsewhere, as well a third of the meadow is enveloped in brambles, and on top of all that there are many invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam, Yellow Archangel and many more, but there is at least an Otter, many diverse birds such as Cetti's Warbler, Goldcrest, Little Egret, Ducks, a Moorhen, and Firecrests, as well as many more. There is also at least a Common Lizard, about a dozen Slow Worms, and at least a pair of Frogs.

As well, the Guardians of the River Itchen have done Riverfly monitoring and found many critters such as a Leach, cased and caseless Caddisfly, baby Bullheads, and plenty of olives, and there seems to be public desire to help their local area. The Japanese Knotweed is being dealt with, the Himalayan Balsam is being hit from all sides, and the brambles are being dealt with by the Junior Conservationists in collaboration with the council and their volunteers.

 - The future - 

Hopefully this brook has a great future ahead as people slowly begin to start action, the invasive species get cleared and the water quality improved, as I believe that if the water is saved the whole ecosystem is saved.