Tolworth Brook, Himalayan Balsam Removal, Saturday May 24th, 2014

Continuing where we left off a couple of weeks ago, today the Environment Trust's volunteers continued walking along the Tolworth Brook from Raeburn Avenue down to the Hogsmill River removing invasive Himalayan balsam as they went. Unfortunately, after a night of heavy rain the water level was a little higher than was convenient, meaning that some over enthusiastic volunteers got wet feet. Still, plenty of balsam was removed, which will reduce the amount of seeds that will be released to travel downstream. The eventual intention is to reduce the volume of seeds produced so that areas downstream on the Hogsmill, such as Elmbridge Meadows and the nature park at the Thames Water Sewage Works will not be reinvaded.

The Tower House boys get to work removing invasive Himalayan balsam from along the Tolworth Brook in Berrylands.

Further downstream at Elmbridge Meadows the dominant nature of the balsam is all too evident. We'll be visiting this site a few times before the plants flower and release their hundreds of seeds. 

Along the Tolworth Brook, patches of yellow iris remain unaffected by the balsam invasion.  

In an area of woodland along the Tolworth Brook that was coppiced in 2012 and 2013, a speckled wood butterfly enjoys a sunny glade. 

Nearby a distinctive tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) was spotted on a hazel leaf.

Sadly, at the Meldone Close car park fly tipping is still taking place, with a china sink dumped in the time that we were in the area. We'll be back to have another clear up later in the year.

 

 

 



Clitherow's Island and Boston Manor Park, Saturday 17th May, 2014

We've been to Boston Manor Park on several occasions, but today the house was open to the public, as were the lovely tea rooms run by the Friends of the park.

Our task today was to open up nature trail footpaths to lead walkers down to Clitherow's Island.

Girls from Marymount International School in Kingston worked to cut back vegetation that was growing across the path. Other volunteers removed six shopping trolleys from the river and from the island, removed a fallen branch from another path, and carefully cut back invasive giant hogweed plants.  

The Jacobean Boston Manor House.

http://www.hounslow.info/arts-culture/historic-houses-museums/boston-manor-house/

The stables, now private residences. 

Away from the grandeur down on the Clitherow's Island, invasive and toxic giant hogweed is taking over. 

And, rubbish left by rough sleepers is getting worse. 

The murky water of the River Brent is complimented by a discarded shopping trolley. 

Local volunteers worked to remove offensive graffiti, which neither the council, TFL nor the Highways Agency were able/willing to do.

Many magnificent mature trees, such as this sweet chestnut, can be found in Boston Manor Park. 

The Marymount girls work to cut back encroaching vegetation. 

A branch which had fallen from a mature ash tree was removed from the path.

Trolleys awaiting collection by Trolleywise.

 

 

 

Silverhall Park, Isleworth, May 11th, 2014.

The Environment Trust always likes to work in partnership with other local groups, so it was today that we teamed up with the Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE), the Isleworth Society, the Conservation Volunteers (TCV), and the Friends of Silverhall Park, to give Silverhall Park in Isleworth a good clean up. Except where stated, today's photos were taken by volunteer photographer, Paul Franklin.

You can read more about Silverhall Park and the Hall, here http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=HOU049

and here

http://www.hounslow.info/libraries/local-history-archives/an-a-z-of-isleworth/an-a-z-of-isleworth-3/

An unassuming park next to a busy road is a haven of peace and tranquillity.

Although looking as if it's been here forever, the Duke of Northumberland's River is manmade, albeit almost 500 years ago (Photo by Chris).

This mature sweet chestnut tree dominates the centre of the park (Photo by Chris).

What could be so interesting to volunteers over this wall?

The answer: a conglomeration of rubbish.

Other volunteers collect rubbish removed from the river downstream. 

The river is so full of plastic bags that almost every pond dip was fruitful. 

Other volunteers helped to improve the ornamental side of the park.

By the end of an exhausting day, a mountain of rubbish is displayed. 

A bike, a set of golf clubs, a street bollard, two office chairs, a television, and a shopping trolley, were just the most obvious 'prizes' (Photo by Chris).

Tea and cake (fig and almond) provided by a local resident was very welcome - and delicious! (Photo by Chris).

The Silver Hall, used to stand just inside this gate, but was sadly demolished in the 1950s (Photo by Chris).

This is where the house used to be (Photo by Chris).

Also in the park is the remains of an old ice house (Photo by Chris).

The ice house a Silverhall Park can be compared to this 18th century one in Marble Hill Park, Twickenham (Photo by Chris).

The ice house of Moseley Hall in Birmingham was restored a number of years ago and is now opened to the public during the summer. Could the ice house at Silverhall be similarly restored?

http://www.moseley-society.org.uk/the-ice-house

 

 

 

 

 

Tolworth Brook, Himalayan balsam clearance, May 6th, 2014

It's Himalayan balsam season again, so the Environment Trust's volunteers in Kingston took to the Tolworth Brook to remove this invasive plant. Thankfully, as a result of removal last year, the stretch of the brook from Alexandra Recreation Ground to Meldone Close was almost clear of the plant. However, disappointingly, well intentioned guerrilla gardening of two of the most invasive plants, bamboo and rhododendron, has the potential to undo the work to naturalise the brook. Not only is such action inappropriate ecologically, it could be construed as criminal damage.

See these links for further information http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcpg017.pdf/$FILE/fcpg017.pdf

and

http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/most-hated-plants-bamboo.html

Volunteers wade ankle-deep searching for Himalayan balsam to remove. 

Frustratingly, guerrilla gardening serves to reduce the ecological value of the river bank, by introducing inappropriate and invasive garden plants, bamboo and rhododendron. 

Rhododendron in flower, will eventually disperse its seeds locally and along the water course.  

Such inappropriate planting will threaten native species such as lesser celandine. 

 As well as, caterpillars of the red admiral butterfly, which rely on common nettles for its food plant.

Himalayan balsam can often be confused with the native water figwort, pictured.

Volunteers enjoying a day in the sun.

Aquilegia on the river banks is more evidence of urban garden escapes. 

Damsel flies also making the most of the sunshine. 

Although the water quality is relatively poor, in stream macrophytes are present.

Later, the Environment Trust joined the Zoological Society of London to monitor the water quality of the Hogsmill River at Elmbridge Meadows in Berrylands. 

Compared with the River Brent, the Hogsmill is paradise. 

Even bullhead fish can be found here, as evidence by eggs found under a rock, which was quickly replaced.

 

 

 

Clitherow's Island April 19th, 2014

Today the Environment Trust's volunteers returned to Clitherow's Island at Boston Manor Park for another session clearing rubbish from the River Brent. Sadly, several fallen trees serve to trap numerous plastic bottles, footballs etc.etc. The river is also blighted by sewage pollution leaking into the river and a forest of the invasive and toxic giant hogweed. Today's photos were taken by volunteer photographer, Paul Franklin.

We 'kick sampled' for invertebrates, but only found pollution-tolerant species. Perhaps not surprising with sewage pollution coming from upstream, and burnt sofas in the river. As such, long-sleeved gloves are essential. 

The rubbish island had started to reappear, but Patrick and his canoe are the secret ingredient for shifting it...

... plus, a man with a rake. 

The familiar rubbish pile takes shape.

The Environment Agency say it could take five years to fix this diffuse pollution problem, which is five years too long. 

Rubbish left by rough sleepers on the island is paradise for a colony of brown rats. 

Still, the majestic trees ensure this place is still magical from a certain angle.

Together with this huge alder acting as a natural river engineer.  

There are also some wonderful bluebell patches that fill the air with perfume.  

Within a stone's throw of one of the most polluted rivers in London are multinational corporations such as GSK and Sky TV.