Wildlife & Monitoring
Monitoring river wildlife is essential for understanding and protecting healthy ecosystems. By tracking key species and habitats, we can detect changes, assess river health, and guide conservation action. Across the Wear catchment, these monitoring programmes help ensure rivers continue to support thriving, resilient wildlife. Below are some of the key monitoring programmes and survey methods we use to understand and protect our rivers.
Riverfly Monitoring
At Wear Rivers Trust, we undertake Riverfly monitoring as a core component of our wildlife and river health initiative. Following the Riverfly Partnership’s nationally recognised protocols, this method surveys key groups of freshwater invertebrates that are sensitive indicators of water quality and ecological condition.
By training and supporting volunteer monitors to collect and record consistent data at regular intervals, we generate robust evidence of change in river health. The information gathered guides our conservation actions, supports statutory reporting, and contributes to wider catchment‑wide strategies for protecting and improving aquatic habitats across the Wear catchment.
What are Riverflies?
Riverflies are invertebrates that spend most of their life cycle in a river, stream, pond or lake. The three key groups are stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies. Along with other freshwater invertebrates, they are at the heart of the freshwater ecosystem and are a vital link in the aquatic food chain. Their common characteristics of limited mobility, relatively long life cycle, presence throughout the year, and specific tolerances to changes in environmental conditions make them good indicators of water quality. Find out more about riverflies here.
Useful Documents & Links
Electrofishing
With permission from the Environment Agency, we carry out electrofishing surveys on tributaries of the River Wear. Using specialist equipment, a mild electric current temporarily and safely immobilises fish, allowing our team to study populations and understand river health. Electrofishing provides vital data that informs conservation work and helps guide ongoing habitat improvement projects across the catchment.
Key information
Record species present – Identify and monitor the variety of fish in each watercourse.
Assess populations – Determine the abundance and health of fish populations over time.
Measure habitat improvements – Evaluate the impact of river restoration and habitat enhancement projects.
Return fish unharmed – Ensure all fish are safely returned to the river after surveying.
Our surveys are conducted in late summer to avoid the peak spawning, egg-incubation, and early fry-emergence periods that occur in spring.
Get Involved
Take part in practical conservation, volunteering and community action that supports healthier rivers and thriving wildlife.
Support Our Work
Help fund vital biodiversity and conservation projects that protect habitats and deliver lasting benefits for nature and people.