Biological Monitoring Working Party

BMWP Results


Introduction
 

BMWP scores for the locations sampled by S.O.C.S. can be viewed below:

East Mascalls
Scaynes Hill - Main river
Scaynes Hill - Canal Cut
Sheffield Park
Barcombe Mills
Hempstead Mill - Uckfield
Stoneywish Country Park
Spatham Lane
Streat Lane
Swansyard Farm
Holmans railway bridge
Clapper's Bridge
Cooksbridge
Hamsey Road
Plumpton Mill
Ferrings Bridge
Longford Stream
Cinder Hill, Chailey
Ridgelands Lane - Newick
Longford Bridge
Pellingford Brook
Near Scaynes Hill
Scrase Stream
Lindfield
Great Bentley Stream
Brook Street, Cuckfield
Shortbridge Stream
Maresfield, Underhill
Shortbridge
Wellingham Lane
Lewes Winterbourne
Lewes Railwaylands
 
Bevern Stream, Holmans old railway bridge, (Knowlands Farm) Barcombe
 
This sample was taken 100m downstream from where we perform monthly water quality chemical tests. This is the nearest place downstream from the disused railway bridge at Holmans, Barcombe. We intend to carry out biological tests at this site on a regular basis to monitor the long term effects that water quality has on invertebrate life in the stream.
See the latest water quality test results for this location...

May 2010

This is a very good result not only for the scores attained but also for the abundance of individuals.

Location Bevern Stream – Holmans Old Railway Bridge . (Approx 100 metres down stream from bridge).
Date 4th May 2010
Grid Reference TQ415166
Notes

Moderate flow over mainly silt substrate. Light shade

Also netted in this sample.

1 Bullhead plus 2 fry ( Cottus gobio), Mosquito pupae and various snail shells

Biological quality rating B. Good biological quality
Water quality rating Very good
Species Group BMWP Score
Ephemeridae Mayfly larva 10
Ephemerellidae Mayfly larva 10
Leptophlebiidae Mayfly larva 10
Lepidostomatidae Cased caddis fly larva 10
Leptoceridae Cased caddis fly larva 10
Goeridae Cased caddis fly larva 10
Limnephilidae Cased caddis 7
Gammaridae Shrimps 6
Hydoptilidae Cased caddis fly larva 6
Ancylidae River limpet 6
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis fly larva 5
Elmidae Riffle beetle 5
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Baetidae Mayfly larva 4
Hydrobiidae Snail 3
Glossiphoniidae Leech 3
Sphaeriidae Mussels 3
Chironomidae Midge larvae 2
Oligochaeta Round worm 1
Total Score 116
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 6.1


July 2008

Some of the Gammarus were parasitized by the Echynorrhincus polymorphous parasite. This is the best score so far in this stretch of the Bevern, which is very close to our previous “cattle drink” site. It seems evident that the planting of water crowfoot in this area has improved the habitat.

Location Bevern Stream – Holmans Old Railway Bridge . (Approx 100 metres down stream from bridge).
Date 31st July 2008
Grid Reference TQ415166
Notes

Three minute kick sample in riffle with dense Ranunculus, gravel substrate, open aspect, very low flow.

Also netted in this sample.

11 bullheads, 1 minnow, Limnophera pupae, several Veliidae, water mites.

Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Good
Species Group BMWP Score
Ephemeridae Mayfly nymphs 10
Ephemerellidae Mayfly nymphs 10
Lepidostomatidae Cased caddis 10
Calopterigidae Damselfly nymphs 8
Limnephilidae Cased caddis 7
Gammaridae Shrimps 6
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Piscicolidae Fish leech 4
Hydrobiidae Snail 3
Lymnaeidae Spireshell snail 3
Glossiphoniidae Leech 3
Erpobdellidae Leech 3
Asellus Hoglouse 3
Sphaeriidae Mussels 3
Chironomidae Midge larvae 2
Oligochaeta Tubifex worm 1
Total Score 95
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 5.0