Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

Chalk Stream Birds walk Join us for a leisurely stroll along the chalk stream, where we'll be spotting all kinds of beautiful birds in their natural habitat.

🦢🦆 🪹 Chalk Stream Birds walk

Join the CCSP and the CNL team on this fantastic walk along the Misbourne.
You'll be guided by two of our best and most enthusiastic birders!

This event has limited spaces, so book soon to avoid disappointment!

Twilight Misbourne bat safari 27/09/2025 Protecting the Chilterns' globally rare chalk streams

Twilight bat safari

27 September 18:30

Join the CCSP team and WildAmersham for a wild night on the Misbourne.
We'll be taking bat detectors with us and also look for other local nocturnal wildlife.

Families welcome!

Autumn 2025 Riverfly Training Day Learn how to identify and record abundances of freshwater invertebrates as a Riverfly monitor.

Riverfly training.

If you are interested riverfly monitoring, we organize two events per year. The next one will be in autumn.
This event usually sells out quite quickly, book now if you want to get a place.

11 October 9:00-17:00

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The CCSP newsletter has just gone out!

Contact us if you want to be on our mailing list and know more out what's going on on the Chilterns chalk streams!

Chilterns Chalk Streams Project set to 'Mend the Misbourne' The Chilterns Chalk Streams Project, which is hosted by the Chilterns National Landscape, has secured £1 million of investment from the HS2 Additional Projects Fund towards the ‘Mending the Misbourne’ programme. 

The Chilterns Chalk Streams Project has secured £1 million towards the ‘Mending the Misbourne’ programme. Thank you to the many partners who worked with us to develop the R. Misbourne catchment plan. Funding means we can start to put plans into action! @chilternsnl.bsky.social

Dry Misbourne downstream of Warren Water, Great Missenden

Shrinking waters of Warren Water , Great Missenden

As we move into late summer the effects of the dry year are beginning to show in the headwaters of chalk streams like the Misbourne here at Missenden Abbey Park.

Extended Riverfly Training Autumn 2025 Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn more about freshwater invertebrate groups with Steve Brooks, Riverfly Co-chair

Extended Riverfly Training

14 October 2025

This free event is for tor those who are already confident in Riverfly monitoring and would like to learn how to identify more species. Book now!

Having a lovely day speaking to visitors about local chalk streams @nationaltrust.org.uk Hughenden Manor today with @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social . We'll be back on Sunday for stream dipping in the Hughenden Stream. www.chilternstreams.org/events/

Extended Riverfly Training Autumn 2025 Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn more about freshwater invertebrate groups with Steve Brooks, Riverfly Co-chair

Extended Riverfly Training 

Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn more about freshwater invertebrate groups!

Tuesday 14 October

Many thanks to our volunteers for another thorough #balsambash. Much Himalayan Balsam removed and Purple Loosestrife planted. The #RiverVer chalk stream is all the better for it. @chilternstreams.bsky.social

Citizen Scientists Needed Citizen scientists are contributing to our knowledge of Chilterns chalk streams and monitoring the changes that are taking place.  Citizen science is the involvement of the public in scientific research – from community-driven surveys to global investigations.  It relies on an army of volunteers of all ages and abilities. So, whether you have skills and...

Citizen scientists needed. Help us learn more about local chalk streams and monitor the changes which are taking place. No experience needed. Full training is given and you will be supported by staff or members of local groups. More info -

Family Stream Dipping - Hughenden 03.08.2025 Protecting the Chilterns' globally rare chalk streams

We're looking forward to joining the @nationaltrust.org.uk 'Summer of Play' at Hughenden Manor.
Wed 30th July - chalk stream themed crafts in the orchard
Sunday 3rd Aug - family stream dipping sessions in Hughenden Stream. Details & booking https://bit.ly/45wPhFP
With @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social

Extended Riverfly Training Autumn 2025 Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn more about freshwater invertebrate groups with Steve Brooks, Riverfly Co-chair

Extended Riverfly Training

14 October 2025

This free event is for tor those who are already confident in Riverfly monitoring and would like to learn how to identify more species. Book now!

Administration Officer This role provides a rare and exciting opportunity to join a multi-disciplinary team working in one of the country’s finest and most accessible protected landscapes.

Great opportunity to join the @chilternsnl.bsky.social team but you’ll have to be quick there are just 2 days left to apply!! www.chilterns.org.uk/jobs/adminis...

Why monitor Water Voles?

🔍Regular surveys help us:
📶Track population health
🔴Spot threats early (like invasive mink)
🍃Improve river habitats
🎯Measure the success of restoration projects

This week the CCSP team have been out Water Vole monitoring in #Chesham on the #RiverChess.

Over the last week and a bit we have been shining a light on the Chess Valley Farmer Cluster, celebrating the successes of the last 2 years. Thank you to all those involved to date. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in future, as the Farmer Cluster delivers more Nature Recovery!

Butterfly Conservation- Big Butterfly Count Start tomorrow!

The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. Anyone can get involved!

Between Friday 18th July and Sunday 10th August 

https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Bespoke #owl & #kestrel boxes have been put up in areas where natural habitat for their prey species is being conserved & maintained. Owls & kestrels feed on rodents, insects & other small animals, reducing pest populations & maintain ecological balance. The boxes provide shelter & breeding sites.

Supplementary #bird feeding, provides a source of food for wild bird populations during the winter when food is scarce. This improves breeding success and supports bird populations while we are rebuilding natural habitat, farmers in the cluster have been feeding wild birds with specialist seed.

Cover crops improve #soil fertility and structure with their deep root systems. Examples can include clover, vetch, radishes and turnips. Often great for #pollinators, they can also provide overwinter habitat for wildlife, and be used to supplement livestock grazing. 

#regenag #nffnuk #soilhealth

Join ‘Impress the Chess’ for a FREE walk along sections of the River Chess to discover local conservation projects and wildlife. Tue 22nd July, 7pm. Meet at the car park  next to the Chesham Moor leisure centre (HP5 1SE). Full details 👉 https://www.chesham.gov.uk/council_events/river-chess-walk/

#Farmers in the cluster are offered audits that highlight the easiest and most efficient methods of improving #sustainable agricultural practices. These practices aim to protect the environment, maintain soil health, reduce carbon emissions and promote longer-term food security. 

#regenag #soil

By purchasing equipment we have enabled farmers in the Chess catchment to minimise their inputs by: targeting application only to specific areas, to avoid soil compaction by using autosteer systems on tramlines and to trial minimum tillage equipment.

#farming #naturefriendly #regenag #directdrill

Autumn 2025 Riverfly Training Day Learn how to identify and record abundances of freshwater invertebrates as a Riverfly monitor.

Riverfly training with CCSP

If you want to train for riverfly monitoring our next training day will be in autumn and it usually sells out quite quickly. Book now if interested.

11 October 9:00-17:00

Ponds in the Chess Catchment reflect the national picture of poor quality. 80% of the remaining UK ponds in a poor state. The pond restorations completed in the Chess has aimed to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and provide habitat for wildlife. 

#freshwater #ponds #chilterns

Hedgerow renovation through #coppicing & #laying (2 methods to maintain hedgerows) is important. It improves the structure, providing more shelter & food for wildlife & creating stronger healthier trees. Healthy hedgerows can also be useful nature based solutions for capturing surface water run-off.

#Hedgerow creation is important because it not only provides essential corridors for species like hedgehogs, newts and dormice to move between, it also provides nesting #habitat for birds such as yellowhammers, hunting grounds for owls & bats and shelter, breeding and feeding areas for butterflies.

Did you know there are 30 farmers delivering #NatureRecovery in the River Chess Catchment, a #ChalkStreams in the #Chilterns. Follow along over the week to see some of the successes from 2023-25. 

#nature #farmers #naturefriendlyfarming #regenag #pastureforlife #soilhealth #GroundSwell

Thank you to the fabulous Charlotte Hawkins from the Environment Agency who led a really informative walk for us last week on the River Bulbourne, despite the extreme heat! A great opportunity to learn more about common and not so common chalk stream plants. Event kindly hosted by the Boxmoor Trust.

eNewsletter Don’t miss out! Sign up for our email newsletter, with project updates, news from our partners, events and much more! Just enter your details below and keep an eye on your inbox for a confirmation email.

The CCSP Newsletter will be out in a few weeks!

If you are not on our mailing list let us know and we can add you so you get the latest news about our wok, or projects and events: chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk