Eel

Walking along Mill Lawn Brook this morning I spotted an Eel, a European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) which is apparently on the critically endangered list, how wonderful to see one here in the forest. A testament to the vitality of the forest streams, and maybe the benefits of the forest's stream restoration program (aptly 40% funded by the EU). I've previously mentioned how the stream restorations have born wonderful fruits, and so quickly, revitalizing rich environments, creating an increased the number of habitats, including niche ones, and hugely increasing biodiversity overall. The streams and their environs are much healthier and more vibrant, as well as the eel, fry darted through the stream, ponies grazed it's banks, deer in the wider environs, whilst a Heron and a Egret looked for dinner from their riverside vantage points amongst thriving wetland plant communities.  As I say, the restoration project is part funded by the EU under the Life 3 scheme, and I have to wonder whether after our departure from the EU such projects will fall by the wayside. I can't imagine our government see environmental projects such as these as a priority. It would be a great shame if the restoration of the forest streams and bog woodland faltered, and the achievements so far neglected. To paraphrase the People's Front of Judea, What have the EU ever done for us? In truth nobody knew how integrated we are in Europe and how much our communities, people, environment, wildlife, our whole nation in fact, has benefited from our unique relationship with the EU.