Category: DAA News

Fish counter pictures Jan/Feb 2017

During January, six fish  were detected ascending the ladder by the counter as well as an otter. A few kelts descended, also about 20 kayaks.

In the first week of February seven fish ascended, including a couple of salmon around the 15lb mark. Although it is difficult to distinguish salmon from sea trout in overhead pictures, it looks like some of the fish were sea trout, earlier perhaps than we might have expected.

Below is a selection of grabs from the overhead camera. To remind readers, the horizontal strips, which are the counter’s electrodes are 45cm apart.

Salmon kelt descending ‘in reverse’
Salmon of about 15lbs ascending
Salmon kelt descending? Suggestions for the strange shape gratefully received!
Another good salmon
Sea trout?
Another sea trout? (left)

After more analysis of last years counter data and video, Fishtek (the counter’s operator) have estimated that, although about 700 fish were counted electronically, approx 3500 fish migrated up-river. The counter was undergoing much testing and modification during the year and it has been determined that for most of this time only the larger fish were being counted. A large majority of smaller fish, school peal in particular, were missed by the counter, but their number was able to be estimated by laborious analysis of video footage.  More detail on the method of estimation and assumptions made to follow. The modifications to the counter should now make it possible to detect the smaller fish in future.

Fish counter pictures Dec 2016

Here are some of the fish that passed through the counter during December and were captured on the overhead camera. It is hoped to improve the quality of the night time pictures in future by installing an infrared camera.

The fish in the second and third photos from the top are ascending the fish pass, all other fish are descending. Several of the latter are facing up-current while ‘reversing’ down the pass and most can clearly be seen to be kelts as they are so thin. (Flow is from top to bottom of photo).

In the second picture from the bottom (23:27:19), although it is hard to see, is an otter, rather than a fish. Apparently its movement in the video from which this was taken shows it up for what it is.

Some of these are big fish. To give an idea of size, the counter’s electrodes, seen as horizontal strips are 450mm (approx 18″) apart. Let’s hope they manage to avoid the seals in the weir pool and estuary and survive to spawn again.

 

Spawning 2016

Generally reports of spawning activity have been sketchy, but some made it to the top of the system. These two grilse redds were located some way above Powder Mills on the Cherrybrook in mid December. Apologies for the poor picture quality.

Vandalism At Kilbury

A year or two ago, one of our members, Bush, gave his time to plant some hedge whips at Kilbury. Various holes had been made by canoeists accessing the river. It’s disheartening to see that some of them have been flattened and trashed, and although we have no evidence, we think it likely to be the same again.

If anyone sees canoes being pushed through the hedge or unloaded at that layby it would be worth noting number plates and car descriptions.

Bank Clearing

Thanks to everyone who turned up last Sunday. As ever its a case of many hands making light work. It’s the same again tomorrow.

The dates below seem spot on, but as usual depend on river conditions. It’s always  a good idea to check this site if the river has been up n angry.

15th  Hood Barton.

22nd Caddaford and Abbotsmead.

29th Fogden’s and Nursery Pool.

2017

Wishing all members a happy new year.

Bank clearing starts this coming Sunday 8th at Hood Barton –  9.30 start.

A list of all future dates and locations will follow. . . . . .