Clitherow's Island, Boston Manor, River Brent, Wednesday September 18th and Sunday September 22nd
Today our group teamed up with the Conservation Volunteers again at Clitherow's Island. The intention was to continue to remove the island of rubbish that had accumulated behind a fallen tree. However, due to previous efforts, and heavy rain (or a release of water from the Welsh Harp Reservoir) the rubbish had been washed down as far as Brentford Lock.
The other plan was continue to create the nature trail around the island. Unfortunately, as a result of the river having burst its banks, the path had become very muddy. The other problem was that the campsite of one of two rough sleepers on the island is directly in the line of the proposed footpath. As such, it was decided not to proceed with the path for the time being. With these unexpected issues, the group busied themselves with clearing another potential rubbish island in the river, removing invasive Himalayan balsam plants, and clearing rubbish from along the path.
A highlight of the day was spotting the bright blue of a kingfisher flying low over the river, showing that despite raw sewage entering the river nearby from a plumbing misconnection, there is sufficient food not far away to support kingfishers.
Today, a small but dedicated team worked to clear larger items of rubbish from the river. We removed about ten scaffolding poles, masses of electrical cable (perhaps from the M4), and half a scooter, along with plenty of plastic waste.
Following up the report of a misconnected sewer leaking into the river, reveals that the offending residence is somewhere in Boston Gardens. The Environment Agency and Thames Water are working to locate the source of the problem. Hopefully, by our next visit on October 17th, it'll be possible to post an update.
Again, Patrick in his boat worked to clear fallen trees and floating rubbish from the river, and adding to the day's tally.
Other river users today included the canoeists from Brentford, showing that a clean river would benefit a range of users, as well as the wildlife.
As part of our efforts to improve the woodland and river habitats at the island, rowan, birch, blackthorn and yellow iris were planted.
The other plan was continue to create the nature trail around the island. Unfortunately, as a result of the river having burst its banks, the path had become very muddy. The other problem was that the campsite of one of two rough sleepers on the island is directly in the line of the proposed footpath. As such, it was decided not to proceed with the path for the time being. With these unexpected issues, the group busied themselves with clearing another potential rubbish island in the river, removing invasive Himalayan balsam plants, and clearing rubbish from along the path.
A highlight of the day was spotting the bright blue of a kingfisher flying low over the river, showing that despite raw sewage entering the river nearby from a plumbing misconnection, there is sufficient food not far away to support kingfishers.
Evidence of the river having burst its banks are seen by the flattened vegetation.
Where the rubbish island was, is now looking different, although the fallen tree could not be removed.
Rubbish caught in this elderberry tree shows how high the water level was.
A grey plume shows where the sewage is entering the river.
A close-up view - imagine the smell ...
The source of the sewage pollution.
This is where disposable pens from Barclays Bank end up.
A rough sleeper camp remains to blight this haven for wildlife.
Hop is the larval food plant for the comma butterfly.
Patrick creates a new channel through a potential new rubbish island a little upstream.
The scene looking upstream is improved without the rubbish island.
Although the rubbish is no longer at Clitherow's Island, it's now moved downstream to Brentford town centre, where it'll have to be cleared by the Canal and River Trust.
Sunday September 22nd
Today, a small but dedicated team worked to clear larger items of rubbish from the river. We removed about ten scaffolding poles, masses of electrical cable (perhaps from the M4), and half a scooter, along with plenty of plastic waste.
Following up the report of a misconnected sewer leaking into the river, reveals that the offending residence is somewhere in Boston Gardens. The Environment Agency and Thames Water are working to locate the source of the problem. Hopefully, by our next visit on October 17th, it'll be possible to post an update.
Again, Patrick in his boat worked to clear fallen trees and floating rubbish from the river, and adding to the day's tally.
Other river users today included the canoeists from Brentford, showing that a clean river would benefit a range of users, as well as the wildlife.
As part of our efforts to improve the woodland and river habitats at the island, rowan, birch, blackthorn and yellow iris were planted.
Rob fishes for submerged rubbish in the River Brent.
The results of a morning's work.
Including half a scooter.
And, a fish hook that almost spiked one of our volunteers.
Again, plenty of rubbish remains for next time.
The misconnected sewer is still very visible.
The nature trail is taking shape...
...although, a little muddy.
A visit to Burton's Mausoleum in Mortlake as part of the London Open House, was the reason for the early finish today.
Fishponds Park, Surbiton, Sunday September 15th
With heavy rain and wind forecast, today's event was never going to be well attended, but a few hardy volunteers showed their mettle by helping to clear vegetation from the small stream channel that connects the ponds in this popular urban park.
By clearing back brambles, holly and a few tree saplings, it is hoped that the stream channel will provide better habitat for wetland plants such as pendulous sedge and yellow flag iris. There was also plenty of rubbish to be removed.
With the rain starting to come down the task of removing rubbish from the upper circular pond was carried out, and a couple of rowan tree saplings were planted in an area dominated by bindweed. The path around the upper pond was also reopened, to prevent the brambles blocking the route again.
One concern with this rather deep channel, is the possibility that it might be a death-trap to any hedgehog that might fall in. To allow an animal to escape, a small brick ramp was placed in the channel. Other measures may be needed in the future if surveys reveal the presence of hedgehogs at Fishponds Park.
As with the last time we worked at Fishponds, frogs and newts were spotted in amongst the vegetation. Earlier in the week at dusk, several bats were seen feeding in the clearing by the upper circular pond.
Future work could include wood chipping the path around the upper ponds, removing fallen trees in the upper ponds, and planting wetland/pond plants.
By clearing back brambles, holly and a few tree saplings, it is hoped that the stream channel will provide better habitat for wetland plants such as pendulous sedge and yellow flag iris. There was also plenty of rubbish to be removed.
With the rain starting to come down the task of removing rubbish from the upper circular pond was carried out, and a couple of rowan tree saplings were planted in an area dominated by bindweed. The path around the upper pond was also reopened, to prevent the brambles blocking the route again.
One concern with this rather deep channel, is the possibility that it might be a death-trap to any hedgehog that might fall in. To allow an animal to escape, a small brick ramp was placed in the channel. Other measures may be needed in the future if surveys reveal the presence of hedgehogs at Fishponds Park.
As with the last time we worked at Fishponds, frogs and newts were spotted in amongst the vegetation. Earlier in the week at dusk, several bats were seen feeding in the clearing by the upper circular pond.
Future work could include wood chipping the path around the upper ponds, removing fallen trees in the upper ponds, and planting wetland/pond plants.
There's a channel there somewhere.
Barely visible the channel had become swamped by brambles, allowing little space of wetland plants to grow.
Plus, as always, there was a fair amount of rubbish making the stream unsightly.
After much lopping the channel was opened up again.
To all any hedgehogs to escape a temporary ramp was provided.
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