🕵️♀️ River Detectives: Try Out Riverfly Monitoring
Saturday 24th May | 11:00am – 4:00pm
Meeting point: National Trust Poltesco, TR12 7LR
Join Wildlife Groundswell’s WGstreamtesters for an inspiring hands-on introduction to Riverfly monitoring – a vital citizen science project helping to protect the health of our local streams and rivers.
As wildlife habitats come under increasing pressure, our rivers and streams are some of the most threatened ecosystems. The Riverfly Partnership enables volunteers across the UK to monitor water quality and the presence of key aquatic invertebrates that indicate the health of our freshwater environments.
This free taster afternoon is a chance to:
Learn about the threats facing our streams
Understand why monitoring matters
Get practical tips from experienced volunteers
Try out the sampling method for yourself in a local stream
Whether you're curious, concerned, or keen to get involved – everyone is welcome.
🕘 Schedule
11:00 – Welcome & Introduction (National Trust Poltesco meeting room)
With Maggie Freegard
What’s happening in our streams – and why it matters
What Riverfly monitoring involves
The Riverfly Partnership and how citizen scientists are making a difference
Practicalities & Q&A
With Justin Evens, John Meakin and the WGstreamtesters group
Choosing a good site (and avoiding a bad one)
Survey frequency and seasonal variation
Kit, safety, site permissions and useful tips
What’s in a Riverfly survey kit and how to use it
How long a survey takes and what kind of commitment is needed
Recording and understanding your results
13:00 – Discussion & Lunch
Bring your own packed lunch and stay for informal chat and questions.
14:00 – Hands-On Practical Session
Cadgwith stream (below the car park)
Try your hand at:
Using a net to collect a sample
Sorting leaves and debris to find hidden invertebrates
Identifying and recording key indicator species
Returning them gently to the stream
📍 Locations
Morning session (11:00–13:00)
National Trust Poltesco Meeting Room
Poltesco Lane, Kuggar, TR12 7LR
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OS Grid Ref: SW 72526 15774
Afternoon session (14:00–16:00)
Cadgwith Car Park – Free parking for this event
Opposite Ledra Close, Cadgwith, TR12 7LD
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OS Grid Ref: SW 71904 14787
💧 Important to know:
This is a taster session. To become a certified Riverfly monitor, you’ll need to attend a free, full-day training course later in the year with an accredited trainer.