For the third consecutive year, the Cotswolds Rivers Trust has contributed to increasing roach populations in the Windrush River by creating and installing roach spawning boards.
Half a dozen boards have been placed along the mid-Windrush to enhance the spawning success of this once-common species. Roach were previously well-distributed along the Windrush, but years of decline have decimated their populations. One theory for their decline is the lack of fontinalis (Willow moss), their natural egg-laying substrate.
Following similar methodology of the Avon Roach Project, the spawning boards are constructed using fishing net and untreated wooden boards to replicate the fontinalis.
Roach spawning boards on the Windrush
It is hoped that these boards placed in areas thought still to contain populations of roach, can bolster the recruitment rate of young roach in the river.
The Cotswolds Rivers Trust are looking for volunteers to install more spawning boards next April, if you are interested please contact the Trust.
