Tolworth Brook, Surbiton Oct 9th 2012

With the autumn colours just starting to appear on the trees, our small band of Kingston volunteers turned out to help improve the green corridor along Tolworth Brook in Surbiton. This is our first project in the borough of Kingston, and already much has been achieved. As well as improving the paths through the oak woodland, the task today was to clear a 'window' across the brook to discourage anti-social burning of a mature oak tree. English oaks are particularly valuable for wildlife, and as such, it would be a real loss to this stretch of the brook if this majestic old tree was to be destroyed by ignorant behaviour of a minority. Slashers were the perfect tool for clearing a dense patch of brambles and nettles, which soon revealed enough litter to fill a whole bin bag. Several local residents paused while walking their dogs to admire the work and their comments were universally positive.
The intention is for local people in the Berrylands area to be involved in taking care of this important greenspace and feel a sense of 'ownership'. We'll be back for more in November, so keep an eye on the diary to the right. To get involved and to be added to the mailing list, send an email to chris.cockel@environmenttrust.co.uk We'll also be at Fishponds Park from 10-1 on Sunday Oct. 21st.

Living the dream in Surbiton. 

Teamwork soon opens the view across Tolworth Brook. 

Evidence of local widlife. Probably a fox.

Only the culvert spoils the view. 

From the other side. 

How biodegradeable is a Yankees baseball cap?

One of our volunteers came across one of these splendid spiders amongst the brambles, though sadly the thought of taking a photo didn't occur until after he/she (the spider) had been moved to safety.

According to The Natural History of Britain and Europe by Chinery (1982), Linyphia triangularis is 'abundant in late summer and autumn, forming hammock webs' and 'hangs below the hammock waiting for insects to collide with the scaffolding above and fall on to the sheet.' Luckily for the curious volunteer this spider is only 5-6 mm long and not as fearsome as the picture above - phew!