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Diary Dates
 
Here are some forthcoming events in which SOCS will be exhibiting or taking part:
For more details of our Task Force dates please click here...
11th May 2008 (Sunday) - Task Force - Experimental Himalayan Balsam control project, Bevern Stream, Stoneywish Country Park, Ditchling.
5-7thJune 2008 (Thurs-Sat) - South of England Show, Ardingly - Come and meet SOCS in the Farming & Wildlife area.
13thJune 2008 (Friday) - The Lewes Railway Land
River Festival - Lewes Railway Land Local Nature Reserve, beside the Ouse.
15th June 2008 (Sunday) - Task Force - Activity currently being planned.
3rd July 2008 (Thursday) - SOCS AGM - Isfield Village Hall. Starts at 7p.m.
5th July 2008 (Saturday p.m) - Plumpton Village Fayre, we will have our usual tent and display there.
13th July 2008 (Sunday) - Task Force - Activity currently being planned.
10th August 2008 (Sunday) - Task Force - Gravel substrate improvement, Bevern Stream, Hurst Barns, East Chiltington.
14th September 2008 (Sunday) As above.
12th October 2008
(Sunday) As above.
 
Volunteer
 
We need help with our river restoration projects - SOCS are currently planning to carry out some exciting river restoration projects to improve the wildlife habitat in the Sussex Ouse catchment. The range of activities involved are varied in nature and would suit people of mixed abilities, they include–

  • Habitat surveying,
  • Aquatic flora planting
  • Constructing fish hides
  • Channel modification
  • Introducing woody debris
  • Minor construction tasks
  • Biodiversity monitoring

    We need volunteers to expand our activities to further enhance the wildlife habitat of the Sussex Ouse. Can you help, no previous experience required?
    • Find out about the SOCS Task Force ….
     
     
    What's on the Website
     
    S.O.C.S. Water Testing EquipmentHow Clean is the water of the River Ouse and its tributaries? – Every first Sunday of the month members of the SOCS water testing team do the rounds collecting samples from 15 locations in the River Ouse catchment. Each sample is tested for ammonia, phosphate and the dissolved oxygen concentration using our “in house” testing facilities. The results of these tests are published in our Monthly Water Quality Report - The results for May 2008 are now available...
    Invertebrate life of the River OuseHow can we tell how Healthy the River Ouse and its tributaries are? - The simple answer is to go out and see what’s living in the water by means of capturing invertebrates! The tricky business is identifying what you’ve captured and scoring each macroinvertebrate using the BMWP protocol. These scores are used to calculate a health index for the location sampled - find out more…
    A Sussex Ouse Sea TroutThe uniqueness of Sussex Ouse Sea Trout, they’re BIG! – Research indicates they have possibly the heaviest average weight of any English or Welsh river. They show exceptionally fast growth and differ in behaviour from stocks in other rivers - find out more…
    Did you know that the scales of a Sea Trout tells its life history? Like rings on a tree trunk they reveal information such as the fish’s age, growth rate, and key stages in its life- find out more…
    Beautiful Demoiselle, photographed by the Shortbridge Stream. Wildlife Habitat, Flora & Fauna - The Sussex Ouse provides a rich habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, plants and trees. Find out about the types of habitat along the river and its tributaries, view photos and facts about the flora and fauna that you are likely to see, if you take one of our riverside walks - Flora & Fauna guide....
    Water Starwort growing in the River Ouse catchment Weed Planting! – Just a few decades ago most of the rivers and streams in this area had abundant growths of aquatic plants. Species like Water Crowfoot and Starwort were common. So what happened to these plants and how are SOCS trying to restore this submerged aquatic flora which is important for all river life? Read about our Aquatic Planting Project
    Jim Smith - S.O.C.S. Field OfficerSo what’s been happening along the riverbank recently? – Jim Smith, our field officer keeps a diary recording what he sees on his daily river patrols. A fascinating record of the ever changing flora and fauna written in Jim’s own characteristic, light hearted style. Feel the seasons change with each episode of Jim’s Diary!…
    A most interesting read!..
    Schools River DippingSchools – Is your school in the River Ouse catchment and would your pupils benefit from the Sussex Ouse Conservation Society Rivers Visit Scheme? This particular programme has been developed specifically for Key Stage 2 students and has proved to be very popular with pupils, teachers and participating parents alike - Find out more…
    Walks along the River Ouse Enjoy a Riverside Walk – We have produced some guides detailing the routes of some of our favourite riverside walks to provide readers with information to explore the river. Each of the walks we publish takes in as much river bank as is possible using public footpaths and provides interesting facts about historic features and wildlife along the way. New walks will be added as and when we research them - Go for one of our walks..
    Rainfall measurement using a simple rain guage. Rainfall Measurement - In July 2006 SOCS became an official recorder for the Environment Agency but has been recording rainfall in the river catchment since 1995 - Without rain there wouldn't be any rivers. The seasonal pattern and quantity of rain is fundamental to the flow and health of our watercourses - SOCS is now able to present some fascinating historical comparisons. What about climate change? Do our local measurements show any interesting trends? See our monthly Rainfall Analysis for April 2008....












     
    Scarce Chaser Dragonfly - Photo by John Luck
    The Scarce Chaser - A new species for the Sussex Ouse?
    WANTED - Alive or Alive!
     
    Scarce Chaser, Last Seen: 12th June 2007
     Have you seen this slippery customer? He’s very elusive: a bit of a Scarlet Pimpernel. So he’ll take some tracking down. In 2006, he was seen on two separate occasions near Barcombe Mills. Last year, he was spotted beside Isfield Weir. There’s no knowing where he’ll turn up next. For most of the year he lies low: some even say he goes underwater – believe that if you will. But, soon we’ll be out there looking for him.
    As you might expect he’s probably part of a raiding party from the “Wild West” of Sussex – the Arun or Adur. However, he could even be from within our own East Sussex borders, from the Cuckmere where word has it he’s set up an outpost north of Alfriston. Furthermore, looks like he’s been breeding – there are faint mating marks in the middle of his body – that makes him an even more dangerous character.

    So just to let you know, come mid-May, I’ll be rounding up a possee or two to hunt this little critter down. I know I’ll be able to count on you. Please contact us to let us know if you’ll be there.
    Ten gallon hats and false moustaches welcome.
    Sheriff (County Recorder) John Luck
     
    UK Rivers Network News
     
    River & Environmental news from all around...
    News feed courtesy of UK Rivers Network - www.ukrivers.net
     
    Latest News
     
    New river conservation society starts up in Sussex
    River Adur from Mill Hill.
    The River Adur Conservation Society (R.A.C.S.) is looking for members and volunteers to help them establish an organisation like S.O.C.S. but on the neighbouring River Adur and its tributaries. Maybe you live near the river and would like to play a part in protecting and enhancing your local environment. If you would like to get involved or join the society please contact - John Whiting -     racs@whitingemail.plus.com
    Tel: 01273-492439.
    ART logoSOCS Joins the Association of Rivers Trusts (ART) - On 30th March 2007 S.O.C.S. became a Registered Member of the Association of Rivers Trusts (ART). We are proud to have been accepted as a member of this influential body and to become part of the national movement for the protection of UK rivers. Our membership will strengthen our capability to restore the River Ouse to a watercourse of good ecological status and protect it from the threats of pollution, over abstraction and inappropriate designs to canalise it for navigation. http://www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk/
    Agencies response to vision of restoring navigation to this natural river -In July 2007 the Environment Agency issued a Position Statement relating to "The River Ouse - A vision for the 21st Century", recently published by the Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust (S.O.R.T.) We have the Agency's permission to circulate this document - Environment Agency Position Statement S.O.R.T.'s vision
    S.O.C.S. has always been steadfastly opposed to modification of the River Ouse for the use of powered craft, due to the impact it would have on its ecology. Full story on our news page..
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Sussex Ouse Conservation Society is registered as a charity - No : 1082447