Blue Winged Olive identification page

Jewel encased caddis larva - inexplicably lost in the ether somehow but now back by popular demand

The winter sampling report for all of the West Wales invertebrate monitoring programmes are now available online. Once again many thanks to Nicola Broadbridge, our ever helpful Environment Agency Wales biologist

Teifi Rivers Invertebrate Monitors

Last update 14th June 2010

The Teifi Rivers Invertebrate Monitors (TRIM) are a group of volunteers who sample the invertebrate life in the River Teifi and its tributaries on a regular basis at defined collection points. The group is part of the Teifi Rivers Trust Fly Life Monitoring Project.

TRIM volunteers have been trained in the Riverfly Partnership method of invertebrate identification and collection. Invertebrate samples are taken from the river and examined, categorised and recorded. The data is then submitted to the Environment Agency.

By establishing a record of the types and numbers of the aquatic invertebrates in our rivers changes in their abundance and diversity can be measured enabling conclusions to be made about the health of the water.

Aquatic invertebrates are the staple food items for juvenile and mature fish and a significant part of the diet of bats and birds such as dippers and wagtails. When the abundance of aquatic invertebrates decline there is a corresponding decline in the number of fish which in turn affects populations of otters, kingfishers and herons to name just a few of the animals which we admire and associate with rivers.

It is our aim to learn more about these vitally important invertebrates and to share this knowledge for the good of the rivers which join to make the River Teifi.

The TRIM sampling equipment and training was jointly funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency Wales, Teifi Rivers Trust, Teifi Trout Association, Llandysul Angling Association and Tregaron Angling Association.

Many thanks for the support.