Crane Park Island, Saturday December 15th

After heavy rain the previous day, the clear weather was ideal for a spot of hedge work. With limited hedge suitable for laying, our task was to trim the hedges lining the gravel path around the nature reserve. These hedges are important habitat for nesting birds and also discourage people and dogs from disturbing water vole habitat on the edge of the island's ditches. This week, the ditches have been de-silted, allowing water to flow freely again. As well as trimming the island's hedges, there was just enough time to plant some yellow iris along the recently de-shaded upper mill stream to allow water voles to migrate and mix with populations further upstream.

 Pat delicately trims the hedge lining the path and the ditch.

 The River Crane with the Butts Farm estate in the background.

 Ditches de-silted and willows pollarded the nature reserve is waiting for the arrival of spring.

 Shabby-looking red campion (Silene dioica) flowers remind us of summer.

 Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) flower heads with the next generation of plants germinating in-situ.

Gold finches like to eat teasel seeds, but this year there have been so many flowers that even these birds have been unable to finish them off.

At this time of the year flowers and fruits of spindle (Euonymus europaeus) provides a much-needed splash of colour.

One clump of yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) has now been joined by others, which will provide additional water vole habitat.

 

Fishponds Park, Surbiton. Tuesday December 11th

This was the Environment Trust's second event at Fishponds Park in Surbiton. A new drainage pipe is being laid and hopefully the pump will soon be repaired to allow the rather stagnant ponds to come to life again. Nevertheless, the park was looking wonderful under a crisp winter's day, and our Kingston Greenspace Volunteers got to work removing sycamore saplings that contribute to the over-shading of the upper pond and drop their leaves into the pond creating a highly enriched environment that is not ideal. The results of our work won't be apparent until spring, although at least walkers are now able to stroll around the upper pond, thanks to our volunteers clearing a swathe of brambles. Previously, only those adventurous enough to risk life and limb by tip-toeing between the brambles and the pond and trampling brooklime plants (Veronica beccabunga) were able to make the journey. Now there is a legitimate footpath from which to admire the view across the upper pond. Finally, and as usual, we carried away two bags of rubbish, along with a discarded bird-feeder, and a woodcrete bird box.

 A family of swans navigate around the frozen pond.

 A lovely day for volunteering on a crisp winter's day in Surbiton.

 The upper pond, a haven of peace and tranquility.

Kingston volunteers Elliot and Dean set about the task of taming the bramble patch ...

... and admire their handiwork.

The upper pond, a little less shaded than it was.

Tolworth Brook/Surbiton Stream Woodland Sunday December 9th

Today, the Environment Trust's Kingston Greenspace Volunteers gathered at the Raeburn Avenue car park to continue the task of coppicing hazel to increase the floral diversity of the woodland and reduce competition and shading of the young oak trees in the woodland. Wood chip was also laid on muddy paths, and, of course, rubbish was cleared from amongst the vegetation.
Although the woodland near the car park seems quite young, there are areas of hazel coppice that are evidently older, and although it's only December, some bluebell shoots were spotted already appearing. As yet, it's too early to tell whether they're English or Spanish bluebells. Spring will be here before we know it.
Also, for the first time the group was able to use the facilities at the Surbiton Pet Club - thank you.
In conversation with representatives from the Environment Agency earlier this week, it soon became clear that they were not familiar with the Tolworth Brook. According to a report published by the National Rivers Authority (NRA) in 1993 (the Strategic River Corridor Survey of the Hogsmill Catchment), the brook is referred to as the Surbiton Stream. So, it all depends which map you refer to.

 The Kingston Greenspace Volunteers are joined by Ron the dog and family .. da doo ron ron...

 Jean and Linda get to grips with the dreaded brambles...

... and win.

 Philip, flanked by the Tolworth Brook/Surbiton Stream, improves the muddy path.

Red Bull drop by to offer moral and liquid support.