Salmon spawning on Dorchester's Mill Stream

Salmon have given the ultimate seal of approval to Dorchester’s recently enhanced Mill Stream, as they returned to the River Frome for the annual winter spawning.  This month’s survey of salmon ‘redds’ or nest sites found they had more than doubled in the 450m stretch where work was carried out last summer by Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Fantastic news for local fish populations

Annual surveys of The Frome had previously found only 3 redds in one part of The Mill Stream, a man-made tributary whose unnaturally wide, straight-sided channel and silt-laden gravel bed had not been suitable for the fish to make their characteristic gravel nests.  Last summer, low level shelves (or berms) were used to narrow the wide sections, allowing the river to create cleaner gravels, pools and shallow riffles to accommodate spawning adults, and hiding places for the growing juvenile fish.  

Sarah Williams, Dorset Wild Rivers Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This is fantastic news for the local fish populations; although the salmon redds are easier to spot, there is a good number of brown trout spawning sites too. Due to low water levels this winter, large fish are easier to see and you should be able to spot the salmon ‘redds’, which are about 2  metres wide and 4 to 6  metres long, but it is important that people don’t wade into the river as this could damage the eggs.  Salmon and trout cannot be caught in the winter months and this is to allow them to breed.”

An epic journey

The adult salmon return to the Frome from their feeding grounds in the North Sea and as far away as Greenland, finally reaching their home river between November and early January after an epic journey without feeding.  They then have to make their way upstream and find clean gravels where the female can lay the eggs, fertilised by the male and then cover them with a protective mound of gravel.  The eggs will hatch in the spring.

For more information visit the Dorset Wild Rivers page or ring 01305 264620.

Notes to Editor

About Dorset Wildlife Trust  www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk 
Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life
Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living.  Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves.  Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve.  DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.
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• SITA Trust is an independent environmental funding body set up in 1997 to provide funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. To date SITA Trust has supported more than 3000 projects to a combined value of over £85  million.
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Male and female adult salmon on a redd or nest of clean gravel - photo by John Aplin

Sarah Williams, Dorset Wild Rivers Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, at the Dorchester Mill Stream, with new berm or shelf in the background - photo by Nicky Hoar

Dorchester Millsteam new berms - photo by Nicky Hoar