London Rivers Week - Monitoring Spider Park: MoRPh CSci & Riverfly

For this year's London Rivers Week that celebrates access to nature and good quality blue and green spaces - ZSL are excited to be running a collaborative event with the London Borough of Hillingdon and Cartographer!

This field-day will bring together trained citizen scientists supported by experienced MoRPh CSci trainers and ZSL staff to systematically monitor the Spider Park post-restoration site using the Modular River Survey physical habitat assessment method (MoRPh CSci). Once we've gathered our MoRPh data we will then be taking a look at some of the invertebrates living in the river!

Who is MoRPh Citizen Science training for? - This event is aimed at citizen scientists in the Crane Catchment that have already been trained in using the MoRPh CSci methodology to practice your monitoring skills and gather data! Please Note - all MoRPh-trained surveyors will need to attend the H&S briefing on site before recording.

However, if you haven't attended a MoRPh training in the past you are still very welcome to drop in to find out more about river habitat monitoring. MoRPh CSci is for all volunteers interested in gathering data and evidence about the current quality of physical habitat in their local river reaches within the River Crane and their potential for improvements.

Why record data using MoRPh Citizen Science? - the MoRPh CSci method records observed physical features and helps surveyors build skills, knowledge and understanding about how the shape and dynamic processes of rivers and streams can create and sustain the diverse habitats needed by aquatic and water-dependent wildlife. During this 'field-day session' we will be carrying out a health check on the recently restored section of the Yeading Brook in Spider Park. Data will be compared to our previous baseline survey and used to help guide management and maintenance while also helping to inform future restoration projects in the catchment.

For more information about MoRPh Rivers and Citizen Science method and training please see: https://modularriversurvey.org/morph-rivers/

Important Information

What do I need to bring with me?

• All data collection sheets will be provided on the day
• MoRPh CSci is a bank side method and you will not be entering the water. However, please wear appropriate footwear (wellies are usually best - but walking boots can suffice) and long trousers/sleeves (the survey site can be a little overgrown with nettles and brambles so best to avoid any stings and scratches!)
• Please pack a lunch and some water

Timings for the day

• 10:30am meet at Spider Park (Bridgewater Rd Fields) for an introduction to the site, the restoration work that is soon to be carried out and health an safety briefing.
• 11:00am start surveying!!
• Finish MoRPh survey ~2:30pm (with break for lunch)
• Riverfly group sampling 2:30 - 3:30pm

Numbers are limited & booking is essential!

Please send any questions to: azra.glover@zsl.org

If tickets run out - *PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST IN CASE OF CANCELLATIONS !*

*you must be over 18 to attend this event.