Sea lamprey return to River Dee after Erbistock weir removal
The finding comes one year after the EU-funded LIFE Dee River project, led by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), removed the weir last summer.
Joel Rees-Jones, project manager for the LIFE Dee River scheme, said: "Seeing these redds above the Erbistock weir removal site is genuinely exciting.
"It clearly shows that by reconnecting habitats and removing barriers like Erbistock weir, we're giving iconic species such as lamprey and Atlantic salmon a fighting chance to thrive and build healthy populations.
"This is a huge win for biodiversity on the Dee, and demonstrates that ambitious river restoration like this can deliver immediate, measurable benefits for wildlife and improve the health of these vital ecosystems."
Lamprey, a protected and ancient species, had been unable to pass the three-metre-high, 70-metre-wide Erbistock weir to reach upstream spawning areas.
Salmon also faced delays and obstacles at the site, threatening their survival.
The removal of the weir, which had blocked fish passage for nearly 200 years, has now opened up 4km of critical habitat and restored free movement for all fish species.
Earlier this month, the project team captured drone footage of a lamprey nest just 40 metres downstream of Manley Hall gauging weir.
However, the concentration of nests below this remaining barrier highlights that it too is restricting further upstream migration.
READ MORE:
Hundreds of volunteers praised as 'heart and soul' of Llangollen Eisteddfod
The Ship Hotel named finalist as the Leader searches for 'Best Pub 2025'
Mr Rees-Jones said: "While we're thrilled by what we've achieved so far, our surveys confirm that Manley Hall is the next major hurdle.
"That's why we're already planning targeted works here for next year, aiming to improve passage and ensure the benefits of a free-flowing Dee are fully realised."
The Erbistock weir removal, completed in 2024, is part of broader efforts by the LIFE Dee River project to restore the River Dee and Llyn Tegid Special Area of Conservation.
More information about the project is available on its official webpage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
‘Astonishingly good value' – the best supermarket tofu, tasted and rated
This test helped me realise just how much I truly love tofu, even cold. Like all deceptively simple products, such as wine, coffee and chocolate, tofu's character is rooted in its terroir: the soil, biodiversity, climate, plant species and production process. Most tofu is made by curdling soy milk with nigari, a coagulant made from magnesium chloride, which is naturally derived from seawater. It's an ancient method still used across Japan and south-east Asia. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. To keep things fair, I tasted each tofu cold, straight from the packet, then boiled and fried (without pressing or seasoning) each one to observe its flavour, structure and performance. Boiling showed that all the tofus held their shape, while frying brought out major differences in colouring, crust and bite: some crisped up beautifully, others stayed soft and chewy, so if you mainly fry your tofu, that's worth bearing in mind. It's also worth noting that organic tofus are GMO-free by definition. 89p for 180g at Aldi (49p/100g)★★★★★ A small, beige block with rounded edges and a sweet, familiar soya aroma. It's a super-firm tofu with a dense, satisfying bite that holds up brilliantly to cooking, especially frying. Made with 57% EU-grown organic soya, it's very high in protein (14g a serving) and astonishingly good value. A real standout. £1.34 for 300g at Sainsbury's (45p/100g)★★★★☆ A great blank canvas with a subtle aroma and gentle, sweet taste. Firm but moist, and transformed by frying to a golden-crusted, deep flavour. Made from organic, non-EU soya (34%), it's high in protein and excellent value. Though a little lower in soya content, it delivers fantastic performance in the pan and at an incredible price. £2.90 for 396g at Ocado (73p/100g)£3 for 396g at Waitrose (76p/100g)★★★★★ Distinctively marbled and off-white/grey, this has a subtle aroma and a clean, complex flavour. Very firm and reacts well to frying, forming a satisfyingly thick crust. Made with 35.8% organic soya, using a mix of EU and non-EU beans, it's high in protein and has strong sustainability credentials. A well-rounded option that's a very close runner-up to the best overall. £2.30 for 280g at Sainsbury's (82p/100g)£2.30 for 280g at Tesco (82p/100g)★★★★☆ An irregularly marbled block with a deep umami, almost smoky aroma and a lovely firm bounce. One of the densest, less traditional tofus tested, with a chewy bite. When fried, it forms a good golden crust with loads of flavour. Made in Yorkshire using organic soya from EU and non-EU farms. Great Taste Award-winning, very high in protein (16.5g per 100g) and a bold, characterful choice. £2.50 for 300g at Ocado (83p/100g)★★★★☆ A uniform block with a sweet, subtle aroma, a soft bite and a gentle soya flavour. Holding its shape and forming a delicate, uniform golden crust when fried, this has one of the best textures in the whole test group. Made from organic, non-EU soya, it has 34% soya content and a respectable protein level. Strikes a solid balance between taste and texture. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion £2 for 300g at Morrisons (67p/100g)£2.55 for 300g at Ocado (85p/100g)★★★★☆ A uniform block with a sweet, neutral aroma, a soft bite and a creamy mouthfeel. Flavourful and pleasantly sweet, it's perfectly crunchy and delicious when fried, with a consistent golden crust – perhaps the best overall for frying. Certified organic with non-EU soya, it's been handmade in Devon since 1984 and holds a Taste of the West Gold award. £1.95 for 399g at Tesco (49p/100g)★★★☆☆ A uniform, cream block with a sweet, clean smell and a gentle flavour. Its soft texture makes it satisfying to eat raw, though it doesn't crisp up easily when fried, hence the lower score (instead, it develops a chewy, caramelised edge with a spongy interior). Made from organic, non-EU soya (34%), it's a good source of protein and exceptional value for organic tofu. £1.95 for 300g at Waitrose (65p/100g)★★★☆☆ A gentle, savoury aroma and a soft bite with a slight sweetness. The texture is on the delicate side, especially when boiled, and it doesn't fry especially well (pressing first will help). Made with 34% organic, non-EU-grown soya, it's certified organic, but lacks firmness. Decent value, but there are more versatile options at a lower price point. £3 for 400g at Ocado (75p/100g)★★★☆☆ A white block with a soft bite, this has a sweet, subtle aroma and a clean soya taste. Despite being one of the softest in the test, it crisps up surprisingly well when fried, forming a light but satisfying crust. However, it's the only non-organic product tested, and made with just 16% soya – far lower than the others. Limited provenance or sustainability information, so with such strong competition, it offers less value for money. £5 for 500g at Ocado (£1/100g)£29.94 for 6 x 500g at Amazon (£1/100g)★★★☆☆ An irregular, mottled, off-white block that looks hand-shaped, and that's full of bubbles. One of the firmest to bite with a complex, soya-forward flavour. Fries very well, forming a great crust. Certified organic with non-EU soya, it's the only product tested with a fully reusable and recyclable container. Owned by Windmill Organics, a great company committed to organic farming, which earns it a bonus point.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
National Trust unveils 'mindful meadow' to boost mental health and help wildlife
A new "Mindful Meadow" has opened at Erddig in Wrexham offering a peaceful, free-to-access green space designed to enhance wellbeing and support local wildlife. The Mindful Meadow site is near Wrexham city centre and features four hectares of woodland with widened and repaired paths. National Trust Cymru have created the haven, helped by supporters, at the once overgrown, six-hectare site near the Felin Puleston Outdoor Centre on Hafod Road. Over the past 18 months, Erddig's ranger, volunteering, and community teams have worked alongside groups including Chester National Trust volunteers, Erddig Youth Club, Erddig Grow, Stepping Stones, We Mind the Gap, Wrexham Young Carers, Kim Inspire, Adferiad, and Ysgol Clywedog. Once filled with impassable routes, the site has been rejuvenated into a vibrant, accessible space that invites visitors to slow down, explore, and enjoy the benefits of nature. Katie Rees-Jones, Volunteer and Community Officer at Erddig, said: 'It has been important for us to work together with community groups who will access the space to ensure we create somewhere that meets their needs along with those of the wider public. "We all need to find some respite at times from the pressures of daily life and the Mindful Meadow gives everyone the opportunity to find some space, beauty and peace.' The team has restored around 250-metres of pathway, creating some accessible routes through the site. Around 40 native trees including oak, rowan and field maple have been planted alongside hedgerows such as hawthorn and spindle. Two hectares of meadow have also been revived: one area has been reseeded with a conservation mix of wildflowers including Yellow Rattle, Eyebright, Yarrow and Red Clover to attract birds and pollinators, while another has been scarified, cut and left to regenerate naturally. At the heart of the meadow stands a vibrant steel and stone sculpture by artist David Setter. Made of stacked positivity rocks, the installation symbolises community support and demonstrates how a place can uplift and support an individual. Free to access and open daily from dawn until dusk, the Mindful Meadow site lies close to Wrexham city centre and features four hectares of woodland with widened and repaired paths. Visitors can also see nesting boxes, a pond, benches for seating with willow screens, way-markers, quiet reflection spaces and flat looped walks - all within easy reach of the nearby Trust's Felin Puleston Mindful Garden and Outdoor Centre. Wildlife is also helped. Steven Dorsett, Area Ranger for Erddig, said: 'With over 97% of the UK's hay meadows lost since the 1930s, protecting and restoring these habitats has never been more urgent. "Hay meadows are vital for biodiversity, supporting a rich variety of wildflowers, pollinators, and endangered species. They also play a key role in improving soil health, capturing carbon, and sustaining traditional farming practices. 'Beyond its ecological value, this Mindful Meadow offers a peaceful space for people to reconnect with nature, and we look forward to the community using it.' The project has been developed by National Trust Cymru and funded by Welsh Government's Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). National Trust Cymru has also worked in partnership with Public Health Wales's Hapus project, which aims to help people in Wales protect and improve their mental wellbeing.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Leader Live
New mindful meadow opens near Felin Puleston in Wrexham
The six-hectare site, near the Felin Puleston Outdoor Centre on Hafod Road and just outside the city centre, has been developed by National Trust Cymru. The project is designed to help people connect with nature while supporting wildlife and environmental goals. Katie Rees-Jones, volunteer and community officer at Erddig, said: "It has been important for us to work together with community groups who will access the space to ensure we create somewhere that meets their needs along with those of the wider public. "We all need to find some respite at times from the pressures of daily life and the mindful meadow gives everyone the opportunity to find some space, beauty and peace." The meadow was created over 18 months by Erddig's ranger, volunteer, and community teams in collaboration with groups including Chester National Trust volunteers, Erddig Youth Club, Erddig Grow, Stepping Stones, We Mind the Gap, Wrexham Young Carers, Kim Inspire, Adferiad, and Ysgol Clywedog. A once-overgrown area has been transformed into an accessible space for relaxation and exploration. The team restored 250 metres of pathway and planted around 40 native trees, including oak, rowan, and field maple. Hedgerows of hawthorn and spindle now line the site. Two hectares of meadow have been revived, with one section reseeded using a conservation mix of wildflowers such as yellow rattle, eyebright, yarrow and red clover to attract birds and pollinators. The other section has been scarified, cut, and left to regenerate naturally. At the centre of the meadow stands a steel and stone sculpture by artist David Setter. The artwork by David Setter in the Mindful Meadow at Erddig, Wrexham (Image: National Trust Images Paul Harris) The artwork, made of stacked positivity rocks, symbolises community support and the power of place to uplift individuals. The site is free to enter and open daily from dawn until dusk. READ MORE: Flintshire zoo park celebrating birth of adorable camel calf Steven Dorsett, area ranger for Erddig, said: "With over 97 per cent of the UK's hay meadows lost since the 1930s, protecting and restoring these habitats has never been more urgent. "Hay meadows are vital for biodiversity, supporting a rich variety of wildflowers, pollinators and endangered species. "They also play a key role in improving soil health, capturing carbon and sustaining traditional farming practices. "Beyond its ecological value, this mindful meadow offers a peaceful space for people to reconnect with nature, and we look forward to the community using it." The project was made possible through funding from the Welsh Government's Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. National Trust Cymru also partnered with Public Health Wales's Hapus project, which promotes mental wellbeing across Wales.
