See below re WUF Newsletter. Further report by Professor Ican Spinaswell.to follow shortly on possible water vole mis- indentification.

Professors report BELOW;

According to Professor Ican Spinaswell the droppings are almost certainly those of the Abergwesin Mudslapper, a little known rodent once prolific in the woodland of the upper Irfon. Hunted almost to extinction at the turn of the century when it was prized for its culinary value and its fur insulating properties it still has a foothold in some remote areas. Has been seen on rare occasions including at last years bog snorkling event near Llanwytd Wells causing much excitement among zoologists.

It is mainly nocturnal and prefers to hunt at the full moon cycle and is rarely seen in daylight. About the size of a rabbit it consumes a variety of dietary items both animal and vegetable including the acid loving mosses and lichens common throughout the area and the prolific amphibians found widely within the catchment. Its favourite foods however are mice, rats and water voles.

Examination of its droppings usually contains the bones of these species plus a variety of vegetable matter. These droppings should have been examined in situ. A well adapted swimmer with slightly webbed feet it is not known to have a fish diet. (Just as well in this area.)

It prefers a low ph water value and the Professor feels liming and the subsequent raising of the afore mention ph values might further jeapordise its slim hold on its existence. It should command a high funding rating from the EU to further investigate its life cycle. WUF please note.

As an aside the construction of my garden pond recently showed that within a short time, frogs and toads were using it and even water snails were evident though heaven knows where they came from. A variety if insects also quickly became established, birds increased as they visited to drink and even a hedgehog got drowned in it. At I might say very little cost. Could I have got funding I wonder|/

Wye & Usk Foundation News Update

Ratty's Back!

During a visit to see how our drain blocking in the upper Irfon had fared over the summer, (WUF/ NRW Life + Isac project) we were pleased to find that despite the dry summer, the water holding capacity of the bogs had significantly increased. Along the side of one of the drains, which now held water, we found the tell tale signs of Ratty - capsule-shaped droppings.
Water vole populations have declined in the UK by over 90% largely because of mink predation but also loss of habitat. They prefer ungrazed wetland sites with few or no trees and that's exactly what we are achieving with the wetland restoration work, which is also mink free. Water vole colonisation is an unexpected bonus of this work, as was the finding last spring of lots of spawning amphibians.
The latest edition of the Lugg and Arrow Fisheries Association (LAFA) newsletter is now on the WUF website. It includes details of all the elctrofishing carried out during 2014 in that catchment as well as more pictures of our recent fish pass on the Lugg.
Any one looking for fishing in the area next year should look at what Isca Angling Club on the lower Usk has to offer here. This is in addition to our regular Wye and Usk season rods, which we shall be advertising in subsequent issues.
Grayling fishing has taken a back seat with a series of spates bringing leaves and colour to just about everywhere. Sometimes there are breaks in the weather and if so, head for Irfon and the upper Wye above Newbridge. If the weather is settled for a few days the Ithon, Lugg and Monnow will start to yield a few grayling and eventually lower downstream will fish......if it hasn't started to rain again!
Despite all the rain, the Elan dams are not yet full but must be nearing over-topping. This and the recharged Lugg will keep the main river up for some time to come. This year's rainfall is already 1" more than in 2012. Coarse anglers, although less affected by high water, have also struggled in the wet conditions. Water temperatures remain relatively warm, however, so find a slack water area and you still stand a good chance of a barbel or chub.
It's last call for The Nick Brabner Autumn River Walk which is on Sunday 23rd November. There will be buses from Talgarth car park to both Wye and Usk to see fish spawning, ascending weirs and fish passes plus the work WUF has been carrying out.