Ham Meadow Balsam Bash Saturday May 25th 2013

There's surely no better place to be on a sunny May Saturday than the lovely Ham Meadow by the River Thames. With its diverse mixture of wetland and terrestrial plants, an array of butterflies, birds singing, a horse munching buttercups, and a group of Environment Trust volunteers in wellies ready to do their bit by removing the invasive Himalayan and orange balsam.
This is always a popular event, and so a healthy number of volunteers set about the task of weeding out two types of balsam to allow our native species to thrive. This site has been managed in this way for a number of years now, ensuring that it does not become overrun with invasive non-native plants. We also removed a little rubbish, but there was a lot less than in previous years. Another positive feature of this area is to report that the black poplar trees (Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia), some planted by Richmond's TCV group, are doing well, and adding to the wildlife value of the site.
An interesting note about the impact of invasive species on Black poplar was found from the Biodiversity Action Plan for Greater Manchester: "Compared to the extensive and damaging effects of poplar scab, the impacts of alien species are relatively small. The prevalence of dense stands of Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed or rhododendron along river banks and nearby habitats may have some negative effect on potential germination of native black poplar seed. However, other factors such as lack of females [only 400 out of a population of 7000 trees in the UK] and lack of suitable habitat are more crucial."

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) mingles with native wetland plants, such as marsh marigold. 

Left unchecked, this area would again become dominated by Himalayan balsam. 

Chris briefs the group. 

Volunteers ensure the impact of invasive plants on Ham meadow remains minimal by weeding early in the season. 

In an area previously dominated by Himalayan balsam, a reed bed has developed. 

As well as balsam bashing, the Tower House boys helped remove half a boat washed up on the river bank.

The nearby, un-grazed meadow, is awash with buttercups.

A panorama of the group at Ham Meadow taken by Martin P.

 

 

 

Manor Park, Green Flag Clean-up Sunday May 12th and Tuesday May 7th

With Green Flag judging looming for New Malden's Manor Park, the Kingston Greenspace Volunteers arranged two special clean-up sessions. Given the low numbers of volunteers on the Tuesday, it was decided to explore the lesser-known parts of the park, including areas dominated by elm suckers. It is noted in the 1992 Ecology Unit Handbook that this area of the park was formerly home to several large elm trees that succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s. However, at the inaugural meeting of the Kingston Biodiversity Network held on May 15th, we were reminded that elm is the sole food source for the increasingly rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly. As such, we'll be keeping a close watch out for these elusive creatures at Manor Park.
On the 12th we were fortunate to be joined by the girls from Marymount School in Kingston, which significantly boosted our ability to make a difference. The girls got to work clearing rubbish from along garden fence lines and then cut back brambles which were encroaching on the meadow area.
Another group worked to clear a fallen willow tree at the entrance to the park and removed a shopping trolley and other rubbish. An old pond liner was also uncovered in the bushes and was deposited in the trailer provided by Quadron Services.
With all the heavy and prickly tasks over, there was time to spend some time by the small pond which is alive with tadpoles, as well as to revisit the young woodland area where trees were thinned out last autumn. Already trees are sprouting side branches as a result of the increased light levels created by thinning the trees, and seedlings are emerging from the woodland floor.
Sadly, the park has been blighted by the insensitive actions of a private landowner. With total disregard for the integrity, wildlife value or aesthetics of the park, the landowner has uprooted  and burnt trees. As such, it is hard to see how any Green Flag judge in their right mind could give a favourable review of the park in its current state, despite the hard work of Quadron and the Kingston Greenspace Volunteers. A key concern is the proximity of the area to the pond which is a wildlife haven. The creation of the allotments may alter the hydrology of the area, and if pesticides are used on the allotments this could decimate the amphibians who call the area home.
Thankfully, the section of the woodland that is still part of the park is thriving. All concerned local residents are urged to contact their local councillor regarding this matter - Cllr. Howard Jones (howard.jones@councillors.kingston.gov.uk ), Cllr. Priyen Patel (priyen.patel@councillors.kingston.gov.uk ) or Cllr. Ken Smith (Ken.Smith@councillors.kingston.gov.uk ).

The Marymount girls clear bramble suckers from the wildflower meadow.

Then investigate the pond. 

Elliot and Gerrard armed with litter pickers.

The tranquillity of the pond with the fenced private land in the distance.

An old pond liner found amongst the bushes.

The message is clear.

Where once there was a mature woodland, now only stumps remain.

No, it's not burnt rainforest in the tropics cleared to make way for palm oil plantations, it's Manor Park in New Malden cleared to make way of allotments.

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Bluebells defiantly blooming amongst the ashes. 

In the neighbouring area of woodland, an alder tree responds to increased light following last year's tree thinning. 

And, an ash seedling emerges from the leaf litter.

Older patches of woodland dominated by elm suckers can be found bordering the railway line.

Ivy-leaved speedwell (Veronica hederifolia) in woods near the cricket pitch.

A robin (Erithacus rubecula) sings in the area of young woodland at Manor Park, New Malden.

May 12th 2013.

 

Richmond/Kingston Thames Riverside Tidy - Saturday April 27th

The greenspace on the Surrey side (south bank) of the River Thames just upstream of Teddington Lock is perhaps the area's version of the DMZ, where an uneasy truce exists between the two borough councils. It's quite humorous that the dividing line is marked by the different grass mowing regimes and a different emphasis on street furniture along Burnell Avenue (Richmond TW10) and Dysart Avenue (Kingston KT2).
Hoping to inject some soft power into relations, the Environment Trust's Kingston Greenspace Volunteers teamed up with some of our Richmond-based regulars to hold a cross-border riverside tidy. We'd been asked by Kingston Council to trim bushes over-hanging the path and obscuring views across the Thames to ensure that this popular riverside path continues to be a safe and enjoyable place for locals and visitors to walk.
Starting by the river at Lower Ham Road in Kingston, our group walked downstream to Teddington Lock before retracing our steps back across the border into Kingston, pruning vegetation and clearing litter as we went. We were careful not to get too carried away for fear of disturbing nesting birds. There was also a surprising amount of rubbish lurking in the bushes, including a full jerry can of diesel labelled as belonging to the Albany Park Sailing Centre, that had presumably been purloined late one evening by someone after a visit to a local hostelry. The can was returned to the centre by one of our volunteers who happens to coach at the centre, thus preventing it from possibly ending up in the Thames and creating a horrible pollution incident. The boys from Tower House School joined us for the morning's skirmish, and did an excellent job clearing vegetation, including around the boundary marker. Another victory for the diplomatic skills of the Environment Trust's volunteers, for the local communities on both sides of the border, and a return to normal borough to borough relations.

A view of the Thames looking upstream towards Kingston Bridge. 

The point at which Dysart Ave. (Kingston) ends, and Burnell Ave. (Richmond) begins.

Volunteers immersed in their work trimming over-hanging vegetation. 

The missing bollard was found 100 metres along the path and was reinstated to fill a dangerously deep hole.

Boys from Tower House School in front of the Richmond/Kingston border stone, armed and ready to go into battle along the DMZ.

As the moon appears over Kingston (April 25th), common pipistrelle bats were spotted feeding on swarming insects.