Cllr Paul Donovan on the biodiversity along the River Roding

The river begins in the wilds of Essex, meandering its way through Redbridge to reach Barking and eventually the Thames.

I enjoy regularly walking between Charlie Browns roundabout and Ilford Hill.

Most of the route is either Roding Valley Park (owned by Redbridge) or Wanstead Park (owned by the City of London Corporation).

The river is always changing. Kingfishers often fly down river, that flash of bright emerald blue. Or if you're lucky a stationery bird perched on a branch, a fish in its beak. 

The imperious herons are also a regular sight, waiting motionless to strike, skewering a fish or vole. The elusive water rail also tracks the banks. 

Above the adjacent Ilford golf course, buzzards can be seen drifting on the thermals looking for prey below.

Along the Roding Valley stretch is a community orchard on the Redbridge Lane East side where a large variety of apples and pears are grown. Blackberries also abound along the banks. Later in the autumn, hops can be seen growing on the river's edge.

Cllr Paul Donovan enjoys walking along the River Roding An exciting addition to the Roding has been otters.

There have been some spotted along the Wanstead Park stretch of the river and even spotted by police helicopters swimming downstream.

They may have been attracted by an increase in fish life in the river - due partly to the work of Thames 21, which has put obstacles in the river to encourage the river to meander more slowly creating pools, where fish dwell.

The River Roding, though, does suffer from pollution, often from private landowners, adjacent to the waterway.

The River Roding Trust has done much to highlight the pollution. It has also done great work cleaning up the area with voluntary groups holding litter picks along the banks.

The river also acts as a receptacle for human detritus.

Then there is the pollution in the water. Environmental activist and lawyer Paul Powesland has highlighted the pollution in the river and those responsible. In 2021, he revealed heavy pollution at the Aldersbrook tributary, which flows into the river.

This came from a sewage spill from a pipe owned by Thames Water. The Environment Agency has yet to press charges.

The Roding is a precious haven for nature and humanity. A tranquil place to walk and watch wildlife, but it is also a river under threat from a variety of polluting sources.

More people need to take an interest and become custodians of the river. The River Roding Trust (riverrodingtrust.org.uk) is a good place to start, if you want to help protect and save this precious waterway.

• Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).