Rivers have been in the news today on our screens and in our newspapers because England and Wales are failing to meet European targets for water quality.
This is an issue that has been highlighted by the Our Rivers campaign which the RSPB is part of, along with the WWF, the Angling Trust and the Association of Rivers Trusts.
Pollution from chemicals like phosphates and nitrates is a major issue for wildlife – often because it means plants which grow in rivers can’t survive so other wildlife has nothing to eat or shelter in.
Another issue facing rivers is over abstraction – stretches of the Kennet in Wiltshire have dried up entirely on a number of occasions in recent years because of water companies abstracting water to supply nearby Swindon. You don’t need much imagination to figure out for yourself the devastation this wreaks on wildlife.
Anglers, boaters, wildlife lovers and walkers are all concerned about the pressures facing rivers and the wildlife that rely on them. But our waterways aren’t just there to provide the background for a weekend hobby – they are the veins and the lifeblood of our towns and countryside.
Much of our drinking water comes from rivers. Rivers feed wetlands which are rich habitats for all kinds of animals including wading birds like redshanks and black tailed godwits. And of course all rivers eventually flow into the sea which is vitally important in all sorts of ways.
So whether you’re stopping off on a country stroll for a game of pooh sticks or reeling in a tasty trout after a lazy day on the riverbank, remember that unless we make the effort to take care of our rivers now we may pay a much bigger price later on.