
Berkshire trout released downstream due to dry weather
Earlier this month, the EA declared the Thames Valley and parts of Surrey to be in a period of prolonged dry weather.Expected rainfall in the area has been down 50% over the last three months.Three heatwaves and a long dry spell have put more pressure on wildlife and habitats, including rivers.
The healthy fish were removed from the Lambourn in oxygenated tanks, then rehomed in deeper waters a short distance downstream. Officers will monitor the juvenile and adult trout to make sure they get used to their new surroundings.Mr Gray said: "The water level has dropped significantly, we are trying to be proactive and move the fish before the situation creates anymore problems."We hope this population of brown trout, up to around three years old, will be much happier in a part of the Lambourn with stronger flows."We've acted today to save the fish. They can be the first casualties when conditions deteriorate, and react better to being moved in cooler temperatures."The EA has urged anglers, swimmers and boaters to report any environmental concerns they see, such as fish gasping for air on the surface of a river or lake.
You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Flood awareness event to be held in Billingborough
People in South Kesteven will soon get the chance to learn how to reduce the risks of the "devastating impact" of from the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and South Kesteven District Council's emergency planning team will be at the meeting next week to answer questions and offer will have access to personalised advice and information, along with the opportunity to speak directly with experts about flood protection. Councillor Richard Cleaver said there will be "specific advice on how to be aware of potential flooding, how to prepare your home and what to do if the worst happens". 'Floodpod' A flood victim, who calls herself Flood Mary, will also be at the event to raise awareness of flood risks and discuss about her own experience. There will also be a "FloodPod" which will offer the chance to see, touch and understand how flood defence systems protect homes and businesses. A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said the aim of the meeting is to "reduce the devastating impact of floods on individuals, families and businesses".The drop-in event will be held at Billingborough Cricket Club on 28 July from 11:00 BST until 18:00 BST. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices


The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Motorists urged not to drive through flood water as heavy rain forecast for UK
Heavy showers and thunderstorms could lead to motorists being stranded in floodwater across the UK, the Environment Agency has warned. Yellow warnings have been issued by the Met Office for thunderstorms and hail on Monday across much of England and Scotland, with a chance of up to 50mm of rain within a single hour. The thunderstorms could lead to significant travel disruption, and flood alerts have been issued urging motorists not to drive through deep or fast-flowing water. Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms mean significant surface water flooding is possible across parts of the country today. 'Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. 'We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car. 'People should search 'check my flood risk' online, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up-to-date with the latest situation with @EnvAgency on X.' The rain is set to be heavy and persistent across eastern Northern Ireland and western Scotland, while central and southern areas in the UK will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered thundery showers. The Met Office warned storms could pose a danger to life as well as damage to homes and businesses from flood water and lightning strikes, and transport delays and road closures. Temperatures would vary significantly depending on cloud cover and rainfall, remaining cool in most parts of the country, but rising to around 25C in central England. Tom Morgan, Met Office presenter and meteorologist, said: 'We have a warning for rain in place for much of the day to come. Some flooding on the roads is possible. 'And it won't just be Northern Ireland. (In) parts of western Scotland, parts of Wales and the South West, we'll also see some rain at times through the day. 'Further east, it's a different set-up entirely. A mixture of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers for Scotland, northern England, parts of the Midlands and East Anglia in the South East. 'In those sunny spells, we could see temperatures get into the mid-20s. But when those showers come along, you'll really know about it. '(There will be) some gusty winds, the potential for some hail, and certainly some frequent lightning and heavy rain as well. 'So, temperatures up to 25C in the warmest spots, but generally a little bit fresher out towards the west with the wind coming in from the Atlantic. 'By Monday evening, that rain will be starting to ease very slowly, but there'll still be showery outbreaks of rain through this evening and overnight for many northern and western parts of the UK.' Yellow warnings for thunderstorms remain in place for parts of Scotland on Tuesday, while the rest of the country will see a more mixed picture of sunny spells and scattered showers, with the rain continuing until the evening. Mr Morgan suggested that temperatures will remain high in places despite the adverse weather conditions. He said: 'Tuesday is not looking as unsettled. The showers won't be quite as widespread or indeed as heavy as they have been. 'Nonetheless, there will be some showers or longer spells of rain for Scotland in particular, the west, (and) northwestern parts of England as well. 'But many parts of England and Wales (will be) actually getting away with a fairly reasonable day with some dry periods. 'And if the sunshine does break through that cloud at times, well, we might see temperatures reach 24C or 25C.'


The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Do not attempt to drive through flood water after heavy rainfall, motorists warned
Motorists must not drive through flood water, the Environmental Agency has warned. It comes as the UK is braced for heavy showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, which could leave motorists being stranded in flood water. Yellow warnings have been issued by the Met Office for thunderstorms and hail on Monday across much of England and Scotland, with a chance of up to 50mm of rain within a single hour. The thunderstorms could lead to significant travel disruption, and flood alerts have been issued urging motorists not to drive through deep or fast-flowing water. Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms mean significant surface water flooding is possible across parts of the country today. 'Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. 'We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car. 'People should search 'check my flood risk' online, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up-to-date with the latest situation with @EnvAgency on X.' The rain is set to be heavy and persistent across eastern Northern Ireland and western Scotland, while central and southern areas in the UK will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered thundery showers. The Met Office warned storms could pose a danger to life as well as damage to homes and businesses from flood water and lightning strikes, and transport delays and road closures. Temperatures would vary significantly depending on cloud cover and rainfall, remaining cool in most parts of the country, but rising to around 25C in central England. Tom Morgan, Met Office presenter and meteorologist, said: 'We have a warning for rain in place for much of the day to come. Some flooding on the roads is possible. 'And it won't just be Northern Ireland. (In) parts of western Scotland, parts of Wales and the South West, we'll also see some rain at times through the day. 'Further east, it's a different set-up entirely. A mixture of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers for Scotland, northern England, parts of the Midlands and East Anglia in the South East. 'In those sunny spells, we could see temperatures get into the mid-20s. But when those showers come along, you'll really know about it. '(There will be) some gusty winds, the potential for some hail, and certainly some frequent lightning and heavy rain as well. 'So, temperatures up to 25C in the warmest spots, but generally a little bit fresher out towards the west with the wind coming in from the Atlantic. 'By Monday evening, that rain will be starting to ease very slowly, but there'll still be showery outbreaks of rain through this evening and overnight for many northern and western parts of the UK.' Yellow warnings for thunderstorms remain in place for parts of Scotland on Tuesday, while the rest of the country will see a more mixed picture of sunny spells and scattered showers, with the rain continuing until the evening. Mr Morgan suggested that temperatures will remain high in places despite the adverse weather conditions. He said: 'Tuesday is not looking as unsettled. The showers won't be quite as widespread or indeed as heavy as they have been. 'Nonetheless, there will be some showers or longer spells of rain for Scotland in particular, the west, (and) northwestern parts of England as well. 'But many parts of England and Wales (will be) actually getting away with a fairly reasonable day with some dry periods. 'And if the sunshine does break through that cloud at times, well, we might see temperatures reach 24C or 25C.'