Riverfly on the Esk

22/04/2026

Want to explore the status of your local watercourse?
Launched today - Scottish Nature Data

The site lets you find data either by searching any Scottish postcode or by filtering by local authority, parliamentary constituency, or parliamentary region.

For any area you can find:

- Nearby protected sites, with information on site condition and environmental pressures
- Other nearby designations, like local nature reserves
- Water quality and bathing water quality

The site also hosts a dashboard with environmental opinion polling.

Midlothian Community ActionSustaining MusselburghThe Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC)Midlothian CANMidlothian CouncilRiverfly PartnershipKeep Scotland BeautifulBuglife - The Invertebrate Conservation TrustEarthwatchScottish Freshwater GroupEsk Valley TrustEast Lothian Climate HubScottish Coastal Clean Up

Find protected nature sites, water quality, and bathing water ratings near any Scottish postcode. Covers SSSIs, SACs, SPAs, Ramsar sites, NNRs, and SEPA water classifications.

12/03/2026

This is where I sample on the south esk below sun inn. The almost submerged rock is our access measure …… considering it is quite a big rock thank goodness no sampling was on for today!!

12/03/2026

South esk between Sun inn and Newbattle abbey college
12.3.26 , 1400hr

The curious part of me wanted to get a net over the uk wry and look what was coming down.
The sensible part mumbled ‘ but you are walking the dog and have no gloves and lots of cuts on your hand ….’
So I didn’t .

07/02/2026

Great day of activity on the Esk with both Riverfly and MoRPh surveys happening. Great to be contributing to the project and continuing to build a picture of the Lothian Esk.

We will be continuing the surveys this year and running some refresher sessions for both Riverfly and MoRPh supported by Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust.

We have also booked in for another sample sorting session in February to build our species lists.

Thanks to all the volunteers and partners who continue to support us!

If you would like to join us get in touch. No experience required and training is provided.

Thanks to Midlothian CAN for the funding this year - your support has allowed us to do even more! 🤩.

Esk Valley Trust Midlothian CouncilRiverfly PartnershipMidlothian Community ActionEarthwatchScottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)Scottish Freshwater GroupNatureScotEast Lothian Climate HubScottish Coastal Clean Up East Lothian Council Keep Scotland Beautiful

14/12/2025

14/12/2025

Midlothian CAN Newbattle Abbey College

14/12/2025

Yesterday we had a bit of a get together Riverfly on the Esk style! We collected 5 samples from the North Esk this time, including a sample from Carlops, Penicuik, Auchendinny, Roslin and Musselburgh. This adds to the samples collected from the South Esk.

These samples will be sent away for species level identification to add to our knowledge of our freshwater invertebrate community. Invertebrates don’t just provide a vital food source; they can tell us LOADS about what’s going on in our river!

Nine of our volunteers joined us throughout the day to sort the samples, eat mince pies and reindeer biscuits! Lovely to be able to come together😊.

This was all made possible through the support of the amazing volunteers! Funding and support from Midlothian CAN and Newbattle Abbey College 💚.

The Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC) Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Coastal Clean Up Sustaining Musselburgh Midlothian Council East Lothian Climate Hub Midlothian Community Action Scottish Freshwater Group NatureScot Riverfly Partnership Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust Earthwatch

13/11/2025

05/11/2025

Will you be listening in to Audrey Nicoll MSP in the members debate tomorrow? Link to her motion ‘Protecting Scottish Rivers’ below.

https://www.parliament.scot/

See also this excellent report by Scottish Environment Link

https://www.scotlink.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Restoring-Scotlands-Waters-Digital.pdf

Midlothian CANMidlothian CouncilBuglife - The Invertebrate Conservation TrustScottish Freshwater GroupScottish Seabird CentreEsk Valley TrustNatureScotEarthwatch East Lothian Climate Hub Keep Scotland Beautiful Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

The Scottish Parliament examines what the Scottish Government is doing, makes new laws on devolved matters and debates the issues of the day.

05/11/2025

Join in person or online. See how the data we gather from the Esk is feeding in to the national picture

✨ Last chance to get your ticket! ✨

📆 The Riverfly Conference 2025 is almost here - taking place next Friday, 14th November, at the Natural History Museum.

🐛 We're thrilled to announce our keynote speaker, Josh Cohen at Leeds University, discussing their project: Riverkin. The final agenda is now live! Expect an inspiring day of talks, research and connecting with the Riverfly community.

👉 Don't miss out - join us in person or online: Buy tickets – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theriverflypartnership/1670265

25/10/2025

Felt like winter was upon us today collecting samples from our upper North Esk sites. Tomorrow another day out with the team collecting a few more samples if the weather holds.

Nice to be out on the river!