Between June and October this year, we undertook monthly riverfly surveys in Canley Brook as part of The Riverfly PartnershipLink opens in a new window initiative. This nationwide project unites organisations and citizen scientists to monitor the health of our rivers and streams.

Riverflies are important indicators of freshwater quality - in fact they are often referred to as the "canary of our rivers".

By carrying out regular surveys, we are able to gain a better understanding of what animal species inhabit this stream that provides such a valuable wildlife habitat on campus. These surveys form an important part of our work to record and monitor biodiversity on campus.

During this first season of data collection, we found cased and caseless caddis, mayfly (Baetidae), freshwater shrimp, blackfly larvae, beetles, snails, leeches, freshwater hoglouse, flatworms and Oligochaeta worms.

We will continue to work closely with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and The Riverfly Partnership to interpret our findings and to further the understanding of these precious freshwater ecosystems in the UK.

We will resume all our species surveys next year. Please do keep an eye on our announcements in 2025 if you would like to get involved.