Sea Lamprey of the Chalk Streams

I've been a bit behind on the blog front having been filming for a new TV series for the past few weeks and when i got home i received a phone call from a river keeper on the Hampshire test about a species I've been wanting to photograph for years, the sea lamprey.

Not technically a fish but still classed under chordata, these primitive vertebrates spend most of there lives out at sea feeding off the blood of sharks, big fish and even cetaceans. They are the largest of the three species we have in the UK, Brook Lamprey being the smallest at 6in, River Lamprey the middle one around 10in - 16in (I'm still yet to photograph one of these) and the leviathan from the deeps the sea lamprey reaching a whooping 47in.

Despite its blood thirsty feeding habits they are surprisingly caring lovers with the male moving his mouth up the females back to encourage her to release eggs. I noticed other fish would wait behind the redd looking for dislodged inverts and lamprey eggs such as grayling, mullet and chub.

They don't stick around for long so as soon as i got the phone call i was there the next day in the water, they prefer quit fast moving water so wouldn't recommend going after these guys alone as one slip and i would of been floating down stream for a while!

This is a spent lamprey which is a bit battered and bruised after spawning and will most likely die much like pacific salmon do after spawning. These might not be the most beautiful fish species but i think that are absolutely incredible.

I also shot quite a bit of video of them spawning which I'm saving for something else but here's a exclusive sneak peak at it.

Sea Lamprey Sneak Peak

BBC Wildlife Local Patch Reporter
Jack Perks

@JackPerksPhoto
Facebook: Jack Perks Photography
Website: www.jackperksphotography.com

Pond Sucess

So very happy with my wildlife pond less then a year since i made it larger and planted the wild flowers behind and its really taking shape. I've put lots of native pond plants in the pond like water crow foot, iris and bush rushes with Lillie's and water cress in there to.

A great find for me was a damselfly i don't often get any dragonflies or damsels in the pond as until recently had little vegetation suitable for them to climb out onto and lay eggs. I'm unsure on the species so feel free to let me know.

In all the weeds a toad was also sunning himself a bit unusual as normally hidden in the log pile behind.

TIP - if your pond is looking a bit green its because of excess algae which can be harmful to some wildlife in large amounts (pets and children also should watch out for blue green algae). 

You can but chemicals to sort it but i prefer to do it naturally and one way is to put a bag of barley straw into the pond which breaks down the algae. Lots of pond plants and Daphnia will also help keep the pond clean and if the water is clearer you'll be able to see more wildlife. if you look at the top image the green colour has gone after about month.

BBC Wildlife Local Patch Reporter
Jack Perks

@JackPerksPhoto
Facebook: Jack Perks Photography
Website: www.jackperksphotography.com