Quote:
Originally Posted by m1.carson  Hi Chris,
Thanks for the response, I've never even heard of a dozen of your invasive species, and I must live nearly on your doorstep, Caversham in the Thames Valley.
Does the Enviroment Biodiversity Agency [ignorance is bliss, never heard of them either] have or send out warning packs on species to watch out for and report ?.
I did a "contact us" to The Enviroment Agency this year and only recieved an automated reply, which wasn't too helpfull, or encouraging, we thought we'd come across some giant hog weed, but after some googlng around, decided it was hemlock, [ I picked a piece to take home  and didn't break out in a rash]. |
Hi Max,
The biggest pest species in Caversham are big, white, have an attitude problem and can be eaten by the queen (I love mute swans really but Caversham can get a bit too swantastic at times). Anyway, if you want some info. on common invasive species from the Environment Agency you could try
Environment Agency - Invasive species or ring the EA's Wallingford office and speak to a Biodiversity Officer - they aren't at all automated.
As for rainbow trout, they have been stocked extensively accross southern Britain and some rivers now have very few native browns e.g. chalk rivers such as the Ver, Chess, Misbourne, & Gade. However, consents to stock rainbows are now being refused if they may interfer with existing brown populations. There's also anecdotal evidence that they have succesfully bred in some areas which is worrying but they aren't truely invasive except where they are constanly stocked in put and take fisheries. Still gives any passing otters or cormorants some easy pickings.
Cheers
Chris