In early June 2026, volunteers from the Friends of Bilbrook carried out a Riverfly survey of the Moat Brook. Along with water testing, Riverfly surveys are the best way to gauge the health of a watercourse.
The Friends of Bilbrook carry out two Riverfly surveys every year and have done so for the past ten years. Jackie, one of our volunteers and our secretary, carries out a water test every month and has done so for the past eight years – now that is dedication.
You might be interested to know there’s lots of creepy crawlies (or invertebrates as they are better known) living in Moat Brook. Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually in relatively good health, helped by all the work we have done over the years to improve and create habitats for all aquatic life in the Bilbrook section of Moat Brook.
Our results are uploaded to the Environment Agency, who collate the results of all surveys done from all over England, and give us a score out of 20. This time we scored 11, which isn’t brilliant, but also not bad considering all the pressures faced by the brook from agricultural runoff and sewage discharges.
Very recently in 2026, the field adjoining the brook has been ploughed and planted with maize, which is a cash crop grown by farmers. The maize is either turned into ethanol and added to diesel so it can be labelled ‘biodiesel’ or turned into fodder for animals. After the maize is harvested, the ground lies dormant for the winter, where the rains then wash away the topsoil and all the fertiliser and chemicals into, guess where? Yes, the Moat Brook.
So sadly, unless human beings radically change their habits, next year’s riverfly survey results will probably be a lot worse than last week’s.
If you want to get involved in a Riverfly survey, why not come along to the Fungay Foray on Saturday 3rd October in Jubilee Wood, where we will also be showing everyone what’s living in Moat Brook?
