Tolworth Brook Himalayan Balsam Clearance, Sunday June 23rd, 2013

With the balsam bashing season in full-swing, it was time to take a strategic approach to dealing with the problem of this invasive species. The idea is to try and replicate what has been done on the River Quaggy in Southeast London and also on the River Wandle in South London, and to try and remove the source of the invasion of the downstream reaches of the Hogsmill River. In this case, the intention is to reduce the impact of the plant on Elmbridge Meadows. With a small group of volunteers, we worked our way down the Tolworth Brook from Alexandra Park to the Meldone Close car park. While it's inevitable that some plants will have been missed, or other seeds may germinate, over a couple of seasons it should be possible to remove one source of future invasion from the catchment. Of course, rubbish was also collected (five bags) and a hedgehog bridge was repaired.
The Trust is continuing to work with a range of groups to clear as much Himalayan balsam from the Elmbridge Meadows area. Recently we worked with 45 employees of VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) http://www.vso.org.uk/, who have relocated their offices to London Road, Kingston. See photos of the day here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151712433924308.1073741851.10986039307&type=3. We've also worked with the First Tolworth Scout Group on an area upstream at Sixty-acre meadow, to reduce the amount of seeds arriving at Elmbridge from upstream.

Himalayan balsam growing at the edge of Tolworth Brook at Alexandra Park. 

Volunteers get to work removing the balsam.

The result of a balsam seed becoming lodged in the cracks in the concrete block wall.

Mexican fleabane colonising the concrete river wall. 

Diffuse pollution enters the Tolworth Brook at Alexandra Park. 

The less attractive side of the Tolworth Brook where it emerges into Alexandra Park. 

Soap suds from Raeburn Autos enters the river at Meldone Close. 

(Report river pollution to the Environment Agency 0800 80 70 60).

The repaired hedgehog super highway.

The Tolworth Brook under lock and key. 

A fly (possibly a dung fly?) rests on a leaf along the Tolworth Brook.

 

Scouts help clear Himalayan balsam, Friday June 28th, 2013 

First Tolworth Scout group amongst the Himalayan balsam at Six-acre Meadow, New Malden.

Six-acre Meadow balsam before a visit by Tolworth Scouts...

...and after.