In partnership with Wokingham Countryside Services and the LFCC and as part of Loddon Rivers Week a fish survey was carried out on the Charvil backwater, constructed in 2020. As can be seen from the photos it has matured somewhat, with a thick marginal growth of sedge now established. Water levels were low but the surface was clear of the prolific duckweed growth present two years ago. The bed had noticeable silt deposition but this has so far not resulted in any encroachment of reed bed growth into the open water. This could perhaps be expected in the future. Two sweeps of a small fine meshed net were carried out in the backwater itself. Only the contents of the first sweep were closely examined
(the second sweep produced lower numbers and a very similar mix):

Minnows 307
Chub 8 (20-25mm)
Gudgeon 1 (25mm)
Tench 1 (105mm)
Bullhead 2

A further sweep of the net was conducted in the river just outside the mouth of the backwater. A greater species diversity was encountered, but it was difficult to assume if this could be a benefit of the adjacent refuge offered by the backwater:

Minnows 340
Chub 8 (20-30mm)
Dace 5 (30mm)
Roach 10 (30mm)
Bream 1 (30mm)
Bleak 5 (25-30mm)
Gudgeon 1 (25mm)
Perch 1 (50mm)
Bullhead 1

Overall the results were encouraging and illustrated the diversity of species that can be found in these man made fish refuges.