What a wonderful way to spend a sunny February Sunday, walking around Richmond Park learning about the ecology of the fallow deer.
John Lock, an Environment Trust volunteer and local deer expert, led a priviledged group on this fascinating walk. It didn't take long to get away from the crowds, to areas of the park where the ritual that is deer mating is played out each year. John put the group in the mind set of a male deer as it sizes up his rivals and competes for females. The group were shown, and were able to handle, a selection of fallow deer antlers from animals of all ages, to understand their importance in deciding the pecking order for male deer. Over the course of the walk, the group saw almost all the park's fallow deer and also some rather intimidating-looking red deer, the fallow deers' larger cousin.
John Lock explains about fallow deer antlers.
Richmond Park looking a bit like African savanna, complete with a herd of fallow deer.
With the perfect sunny weather for a spot of willow spiling, the Environment Trust's volunteers were eager to return to a project that has been developed over several years. The goal is to create a living willow defence against the action of the tide and wash created by larger boats on the river. This particular section of river bank is semi-natural, not being reinforced with concrete, as is the majority of the tidal Thames, but this also means that it is especially vulnerable to erosion. While natural river function is generally to be encouraged, the popular stretch of path between Kew Bridge and Richmond is a wonderful resource for local people and visitors alike, so the willow spiling will help to prevent it being washed away. Over time, sediment will accumulate behind the spiling, which hopefully will become vegetated, so creating a natural defensive barrier. Much better for wildlife than ugly concrete.
As always, the boys from Tower House School were on hand to prepare the willow and sycamore whips for weaving into the spiling. Another team of volunteers worked on tying the willow faggots together, while a third group had the tricky job of weaving the faggots between the living willow stakes. Despite the mud and the long walk to the site, everyone went away with a smile on their face, having completed another worthwhile task for the people and wildlife of southwest London. Two big bags of rubbish were also collected and carried the long distance back to the car park at Kew. This month, an old Batey Ginger Beer bottle, perhaps from the 1950s, was added to the vintage bottle collection.
The boys get to work preparing sycamore whips.
Nick showing the others how it should be done.
This is the tricky weaving bit.
What a lovely day to be beside the Thames.
The finished article. Come back and see it come to life in the spring.
Plus, the winter aconite bulbs we planted by the Kew railway bridge are in flower.
