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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

‼️The new River Chess Smarter Water Catchment eNewsletter has just gone out ‼️ It's full of news, the latest results and upcoming events. If you haven't received it contact us and we will add you to our mailing list! chesscs@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Wishing you a wonderful festive break, from all the Chilterns Chalk Streams Team! We shall see you in the New Year. 🎄🥳🐟 #chalkstream #troutstanding

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Winter flow monitoring! Surface water rains have increased flows over the last month. These rains are also just starting to be seen in the Aquifer Recharge, the underground sponge that feeds our precious #chalkstreams in drier months. After the dry summer, this is welcome news. #gowiththeflow

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Fantastic morning at Chenies School celebrating “Slow the Flow”! From cutting water use & surface flow to raising awareness of chalk streams, the community came together to share achievements. www.chilternstreams.org/our-work/pr…

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

The CCSP Newsletter has gone out at the start of the month. If you've missed it, no worry! Sign up for on our mailing list and you can get the CCSP newsletter straight to your (virtual) door! chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

If you are in London the free "Thirst- In Search of Freshwater" exhibition at the Wellcome collection is well worth a visit! We were really impressed with the cafe's **Wonderwater menu** revealing the hidden water footprint behind your food @wellcometrust.bsky.social

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

🌈The Chilterns are beautiful this time of the year! 🌈 Autumn light has a dramatic potential, creating a unique atmosphere for photography. The best time to capture this light is just after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon. 🌔 Share your favourite photos with us! 👇

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

MoRPh Training day Excellent attendance at our Modular River Survey day. We need more monitors to survey our chalk streams, especially the Hamble Brook and Hughenden Stream. Get in touch if you think you can help! chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Last week the we joined the Chilterns National Landscape team and visited the Luton Henge. The site is used for community events and performances and part of the Nature Calling Programme designed to promote connection between communities and their local National Landscape. @chilternsnl.bsky.social

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

🐟Great day today learning about Redd surveying. 🐟 If interested in surveying for redd contact us! chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

The unseasonal warm weather we are having means that you can spot Trout redds, spawning sites, on some rivers like the recently restore River Gade. The redds in the photos are from the section restored in 2018.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Chess - Sarratt Cottages Have a look at some of these amazing photos take with a drone! Enjoy the Autumn colours in the Chilterns 🍃🍂🍄💛

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

We had a great time with The Collett school on the River Gade! This is a new site for us and we would love to work with more schools in the Hemel Hempstead area. Get in touch to book your free workshop or river trip for this academic year www.chilternstreams.org/learning

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

NATIONAL REPTILE AWARENESS DAY! In the UK we have six native species - common lizard, sand lizard, slow-worm, grass snake, smooth snake and adder- plus several non-native ones. If you want to know more about how we support these species get in touch with us: chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

On Saturday we had a great time working with some new volunteers who helped us survey phosphate levels in the Chess. If you're interested in joining us in one (or more) of our survey groups, contact us and we'll be happy to provide you with all the options! chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Riverfly Training Day. Last week we had a great day training a group of motivated volunteers in riverfly survey. On the day we practised the ARMI three-minute kick sampling method and ID on target species. If you are interested, please contact us: chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

🌿 The Chilterns National Landscape is seeking a garden designer for Chesham Station’s eco-friendly redesign. Help inspire sustainable gardening while keeping the garden’s charm! 📄 Download the brief: www.chilternstreams.org/2025/10/03/… #GardenDesign #CheshamInBloom

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Join us for a hands-on day of science and environmental action! We're collecting river water samples to test for phosphate levels and need your help. No experience needed—just curiosity and a passion for protecting our precious chalk steam the River Chess. Sign up here: bit.ly/4n1Fwo9

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Extended Riverfly training day on the Chess. Thanks to Steve Brooks, co-chair of the Riverfly Partnership and Simon Stebbings, Riverfly Hub Coordinator for their time. Thanks to everyone who turned up and gave their best effort! Next training session will be early spring 2026, watch this space 👀

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

River Chess Water Survey Day Great day surveying for NOSES (Nutrient Ongoing Scrutiny Evaluation Survey) on the river Chess. The samples taken from the river will tell us about the level of phosphate in the water. If you are interested we are in Chorleywood next Saturday: bit.ly/4n1Fwo9

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

World Mental Health Day Take time this weekend to spend time in your local park or nature reserve or visit one of the local chalk streams of the Chilterns. Sit down and take your time. Look at the rolling clouds and enjoy the sound of the the wind in the trees and the whispering current...

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

SmartRiver Survey We have now collected samples from the river Chess and the River Hamble. We should receive the results of the survey in the next few weeks and that will tell us more about riverfly species and diversity in these two chalk streams. Stay tuned!

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Extended Riverfly on the Chess. By comparing data before and after restoration, the monitoring helps understand how well the stream is doing. Extended riverfly provides more detailed data by monitoring 33 species. We are running a free training day on the 14th October: bit.ly/45cXSN8

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Tomorrow! Don't miss stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day with Not Bourne Yesterday 28 September 10:00-16:00 Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

River Ver, St Albans, images taken within 100m of each other. Different ways chalk streams support their local mammalian populations: both important symbols of the role these streams play in our modern society, and should be cherished and celebrated! (Water vole photo: credit Ver Valley Society)

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

We were excited to join the CaSTCo conference yesterday celebrating the launch of their new roadmap for unified catchment monitoring. castco.org/roadmap Inspiring collaboration with organisations from across the country, all passionate about the power of citizen science to help our rivers!

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day 28 September 10:00-16:00 Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Autumn is here! Today the sun is perpendicular to the equator, and daytime and night time are of approximately equal duration. Autumn is often celebrated with festivals, music, dancing, and communal gatherings. Look around you, do you see nature changing colours already...?

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

💚💚 Chesham Green Market 💚💚 We are here today with River Chess Association Come and visit us! Do you want to know more about the river ecology and what we do? We have some invertebrates from the River Chess to display and talk about.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Riverfly monitoring on the Bulbourne Our September survey was wet and quite cold. We still managed to have fun and count several species! If you are interested in riverfly monitoring or helping with other projects, don't hesitate to contact us: chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day 28 September 10:00-16:00 Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day 28 September 10:00-16:00 Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

As we move into late summer the effects of the dry year are beginning to show in the headwaters of chalk streams like the Misbourne here at Missenden Abbey Park.

Dry Misbourne downstream of Warren Water, Great Missenden

Shrinking waters of Warren Water , Great Missenden

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Having a lovely day speaking to visitors about local chalk streams @nationaltrust.org.uk Hughenden Manor today with @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social . We'll be back on Sunday for stream dipping in the Hughenden Stream. www.chilternstreams.org/events/

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Why monitor Water Voles? 🔍Regular surveys help us: 📶Track population health 🔴Spot threats early (like invasive mink) 🍃Improve river habitats 🎯Measure the success of restoration projects This week the CCSP team have been out Water Vole monitoring in #Chesham on the #RiverChess.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Over the last week and a bit we have been shining a light on the Chess Valley Farmer Cluster, celebrating the successes of the last 2 years. Thank you to all those involved to date. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in future, as the Farmer Cluster delivers more Nature Recovery!

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Butterfly Conservation- Big Butterfly Count Start tomorrow! The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. Anyone can get involved! Between Friday 18th July and Sunday 10th August bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conserv…

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Bespoke #owl & #kestrel boxes have been put up in areas where natural habitat for their prey species is being conserved & maintained. Owls & kestrels feed on rodents, insects & other small animals, reducing pest populations & maintain ecological balance. The boxes provide shelter & breeding sites.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Supplementary #bird feeding, provides a source of food for wild bird populations during the winter when food is scarce. This improves breeding success and supports bird populations while we are rebuilding natural habitat, farmers in the cluster have been feeding wild birds with specialist seed.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Join ‘Impress the Chess’ for a FREE walk along sections of the River Chess to discover local conservation projects and wildlife. Tue 22nd July, 7pm. Meet at the car park next to the Chesham Moor leisure centre (HP5 1SE). Full details 👉 www.chesham.gov.uk/council_events/r…

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

#Farmers in the cluster are offered audits that highlight the easiest and most efficient methods of improving #sustainable agricultural practices. These practices aim to protect the environment, maintain soil health, reduce carbon emissions and promote longer-term food security. #regenag #soil

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

By purchasing equipment we have enabled farmers in the Chess catchment to minimise their inputs by: targeting application only to specific areas, to avoid soil compaction by using autosteer systems on tramlines and to trial minimum tillage equipment. #farming #naturefriendly #regenag #directdrill

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Ponds in the Chess Catchment reflect the national picture of poor quality. 80% of the remaining UK ponds in a poor state. The pond restorations completed in the Chess has aimed to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and provide habitat for wildlife. #freshwater #ponds #chilterns

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Hedgerow renovation through #coppicing & #laying (2 methods to maintain hedgerows) is important. It improves the structure, providing more shelter & food for wildlife & creating stronger healthier trees. Healthy hedgerows can also be useful nature based solutions for capturing surface water run-off.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

#Hedgerow creation is important because it not only provides essential corridors for species like hedgehogs, newts and dormice to move between, it also provides nesting #habitat for birds such as yellowhammers, hunting grounds for owls & bats and shelter, breeding and feeding areas for butterflies.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Did you know there are 30 farmers delivering #NatureRecovery in the River Chess Catchment, a #ChalkStreams in the #Chilterns. Follow along over the week to see some of the successes from 2023-25. #nature #farmers #naturefriendlyfarming #regenag #pastureforlife #soilhealth #GroundSwell

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Thank you to the fabulous Charlotte Hawkins from the Environment Agency who led a really informative walk for us last week on the River Bulbourne, despite the extreme heat! A great opportunity to learn more about common and not so common chalk stream plants. Event kindly hosted by the Boxmoor Trust.

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Summer is finally here! For the northern hemisphere this is the longest day of the year! On the Chilterns today the sun rose at 04:44 and it will set at 21.25. How do you celebrate this weekend in nature? Share your photos with us 🌞🌞🌞

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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project @chilternstreams.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Walk and Sketch the River Chess Last week we had a great sketching session on the Chess with Adrian Porter, local artist from Amersham (www.instagram.com/porters.sketches). We learned how to observe nature and draw nature details and landscapes with different colouring tools.

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