Rain or shine, every month a dedicated group of RevIvel Volunteers meet in Radwell (Herts) to survey the upper River Ivel.
The volunteers have been carefully trained, and the results of each riverfly survey are passed to the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Would you like to get involved? If so, please contact RevIvel. Thank you.
The Rivers Trust 2026 Big River Watch event will take place from the 24th to 30th April 2026.
Can you get involved to help this vital annual event for the River Ivel?
RevIvel needs more help to raise awareness about the River Ivel. The upper River Ivel is one of the most heavily abstracted chalk streams in the UK. We need more volunteers to step forward and get involved in surveying the Ivel from Baldock to Tempsford.
To get involved, please go to The Big River Watch website here: https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch#main-content
Taking part in a river survey is fun and easy. We would love for people to complete Big River Watch surveys at:
Baldock (Ivel Springs), Radwell, Stotfold, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and Tempsford. Thank you.
The Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust has recently published a short video about Chalk Streams in Hertfordshire. The Trust is looking to work with landowners to restore our local chalk streams.
The YouTube link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYvbLNNNJlw
If you have an interest in the River Ivel, or any chalk stream in Herts and Beds, please have a look at the video. Thank you.
The BBC has reported that a £1.72m chalk river restoration project has been completed in Hertfordshire. See link to article here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzjn9nqleo
This is fantastic news – If you know the River in the article, please let us know?
Photo credit – Sophia Spurgin / BBC
23-25 January 2026 – Please support the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch!
The RSPB is holding its annual Big Garden Birdwatch in a little under two weeks. If you can, please get involved and support this effort. It’s fun, and the data you collect will help improve our understanding of the state of wild birds in the UK.
Sign-up is free and easy. Please go to the RSPB website or via this link https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
This is a fun activity to do with family or friends over the watch weekend.
Crucial wildlife habitat along the River Ivel is disappearing at an alarming rate due to urban development. Spotting and reporting the different bird species in your garden is vital to understanding how loss of habitat impacts the bird population.
On a positive note – A Kingfisher was spotted last Saturday morning on the Ivel at Stotfold Mill!
Thank you.
A fun, free, and easy way to help rivers – The Big River Watch app.
Twice a year, the Rivers Trust run a “Big River Watch” survey, and the next one will take place in Spring 2026. Anyone can take part in these week-long citizen science surveys that help to build an important picture of river health across the UK and Ireland.
If interested please visit The Big River Watch website at https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch
Above is a screenshot of data from the most recent Big River Watch of the River Ivel catchment area. Seven surveys were completed in September 2025.
Important – If you plan to get involved in The Big River Watch program in 2026, please take time to study the Pollution and Wildlife Identification Guides (available on the The Big River Watch website). It is really important to be accurate when surveying a river as the data you produce is critical in creating a snapshot of the health of that river.
The River Hiz Conservation Group (RHCG) has been in the local news – Please see – https://www.thecomet.net/news/25672363.hitchin-mp-backs-tough-action-pollution-river-hiz/
The RHCG works hard to maintain the River Hiz chalk stream which passes through Hitchin and Ickleford. Their work includes removing invasive plant species, removal and recycling of litter from the river and riverbank, coppicing and collecting brash to make bundles that can be used for in-river work, surveying areas and repairing any problems that need attention.
The RHCG sets up displays at local events to provide information and encourage volunteers to join our work groups. They also work closely with the Environment Agency protecting the river system from pollution.
To find out more about the RHCG, please email riverhizconservation@gmail.com
The Cambridge Eye online newspaper has published an update on the drought situation.
Despite recent rainfall, the drought situation across the country remains “precarious,” according to the Environment Agency.
If England receives average winter rainfall (100% of the long-term average), most regions would recover from drought by March next year.
The exception is Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, which are expected to remain in prolonged dry conditions.
The River Ivel, especially the upper reaches is impacted by drought. Before 2019, the upper Ivel had never run dry. But it has several times since! Lack of water within the Baldock Chalk Aquifer and over-abstraction by Affinity Water mean there is no longer enough groundwater to feed the headwaters of the River Ivel naturally at times of drought.
The full article is free to read here: https://mwilliamson.substack.com/p/flooding-in-parts-of-uk-but-drought?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2064180&post_id=178734084&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=62oey0&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Friday 14th November 2025 – Data from https://www.sewagemap.co.uk/ shows that significant amounts of sewage were discharged into the River Ivel over a prolonged period.
Data below includes location and duration of sewage release in hours and minutes. All sewage releases happened last Friday:
Anglian Water is responsible for maintaining each of the sewage release sites. Anglian says “Your feedback is very important to us we’d love to hear your thoughts on how we’re doing.” You can contact Anglian Water via this link https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/your-feedback
12th November 2025 – RevIvel was well represented at the annual Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Water Vole Conference this year. Four of our members participated in an evening of talks, presentations, and discussions.
Data indicates that Water Vole populations continue to increase in Hertfordshire, especially along the rivers to the south of the county.
The River Ivel currently has no confirmed sightings or evidence of Water Voles returning! However, the River Ivel American Mink eradication program, and the Affinity Water augmentation project at Ivel Springs means we are a step closer to reintroducing the Water Vole to the upper Ivel.
The Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust have set a goal of reintroducing Water Vole to all Hertfordshire rivers by 2030. This includes the Ivel.
Over the coming months RevIvel will be working closely with the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust and the Bedfordshire counterpart to develop a plan for reintroduction.
Please take time to read the Water Vole web pages on the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust site here: https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/watervoles
This year’s Water Vole Conference provided much good news. However, wildlife is still on the decline in Hertfordshire. Many of our native wildlife and flora are on the edge of extinction as habitat is polluted and redeveloped for human habitation.
You are encouraged to read the “Hertfordshire State of Nature Report” available here: https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/stateofnature