Wildlife

Different sections of the River Trym and Hazel Brook provide different habitats and you may encounter different wildlife in them.

Birds

Starting in the tidal section close to Sea Mills where the Trym enters the Avon, the water is brackish. Mallard Ducks, Black Headed Gulls and the occasional Redshank, Oyster Catcher and other waders can be seen in this section. Further up river the water is not brackish so look out for Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher.

Fish

We know about the fish species in the river from sampling by the Environment Agency in 2014 and more recently by observations made by Trout in the Trym members. Other fish – Grey Mullet, Chub, possibly even Sea Trout – may well be present though this awaits confirmation

Fish are often very wary and may feel your footsteps through vibrations in the water. To see one: choose a deeper pool, move slowly, keep off the skyline and (if you can) try a dull overcast day or an early morning/late evening. Wearing polarised sunglasses also makes a huge difference. If you don’t see any they probably realised you were there!

Aquatic bugs

Invertebrates are very seasonal. You may see the adults in the spring and summer, hardly any at all in the winter. The river fly nymphs will be there all year around – though may be young, transparent and very tiny. Most of them eat algae or dead leaves.

We know these river fly families are in the river from regular sampling by Trout in the Trym members. As the Trym is cleared and cleaned, we will see
more varied types of riverfly. As well as being lovely to see this would be great food for the fish and birds.

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