Farmer fears river crowds are drowning wildlife

A farmer has spoken of his fears that antisocial river users are scaring or drowning local wildlife.

Daniel Bunting, who farms near Nayland in Suffolk, said most people using the River Stour are "respectful", but some disturb wildlife with motorised boats or by turning up in large groups, speeding and playing music.

The 52-year-old said the 25ft wide (7.6m) stretch of water was not designed for crowds or fast-moving craft .

"We're having boats on the river from first thing in the morning to last thing at night and they just don't get any peace," he said. "If you get a wake it would actually drown the kingfisher chicks because they're in little holes in the bank. This year we haven't got any."

The river starts at the Essex/Suffolk border and runs across the East of England for 47 miles (76km).

The Paddlers' Code calls on locals to "minimise noise and keep a distance" when near wildlife, particularly during nesting seasons.

Bunting said kingfishers and voles live in holes about 10cm (3.9 inches) from the water edge, so even small wakes (waves) can do "a lot of damage".

He said all wildlife, including grass snakes and otters, were being affected.

Rachel Jones, manager of Fluidity, a water craft hire company based in Nayland, said it was a "shame" that a few people have "tarnished" things for everyone else.

She said her company does its bit to restrict antisocial behaviour at their hub and users were told not to bother any wildlife they came across.

"There's no engines, no fuel, no picnicking, no barbecues, no music allowed on our craft," she said. "It is tranquil, it is a quiet space for them."

Paddleboarding enthusiast Emma Parr acquired multiple licenses for her hobby, but does not believe that everyone else follows suit.

The 39-year-old picks litter from Chelmsford rivers and believes many who use the rivers do not "understand the rules".

She said: "I actually don't think it's the paddleboarders that are causing the issue. I think it's local people that maybe don't have gardens, you know, they're stuck inside a flat, they really want to get outside and then they're coming to the rivers and they're drinking, playing music."

She added that she has not seen any antisocial behaviour in the community.

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