River Thames Bat Walk, Monday July 15th, 2013

In order to measure the results of our project work in Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow, it is necessary to be able to survey sites for species that it is hoped will benefit from the creation of habitat or the reintroduction of certain management regimes. One animal that is an important indicator is the bat. We're blessed in Richmond that 55 percent of the land area is open space, compared with a mere 12 percent in Kingston, while Hounslow claims to have the "highest percentage of green areas of all London boroughs" (http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces.htm). All this open space, together with continuous mature tree lines along our rivers are important for bat foraging and roosting.
Our guide and trainer for the evening was renowned local bat expert, Alison Fure, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of these fascinating creatures. The group met on the Hampton Wick side of Kingston Bridge and were issued with the all-important bat detectors. After a short introduction about the use of the detectors and what we might be able to detect, we started off along Barge Walk in the direction of Hampton Court Palace.
After walking for some time, without detecting anything other than bush crickets at 30 kHz, the light was quickly fading as we approached the outlet tunnel from the famous filter beds at Seething Wells on the Surrey bank. This is a prime site for bats, and so it was that the first bats we detected were Daubenton's emerging from the tunnel. Now it was pretty dark, particularly away from the light pollution of central Kingston, and it wasn't long before bats were all around.  Within no time at all, we'd detected six species, including Common pipestrelle, Soprano pipestrelle, Nathusias's pipestrelle, and the rather rare Leisler's and Natterer's, as well as Daubenton's feeding over the water. Occasionally, Alison would shout "20", which was our instruction to turn our bat detectors to the frequency where we might detect Leisler's or perhaps Nocutule bats, but being novices we were usually too slow and the bat had gone.
It's easy to forget the time as one focuses on trying to distinguish between the different species according to their ultrasonic behaviour, and so within no time at all we needed to head back to Kingston Bridge, detecting as we went. By now bats were foraging on insects all along the towpath.
By the time we got back to Kingston it was late, but everyone had enjoyed a fascinating evening. Strangely, joining a bat walk is perhaps one of the few occasions when you would choose to venture along the banks of the Thames at night.
Now, hopefully we feel better equipped to try and survey bats at other sites across the three boroughs, to help us understand how our work can benefit different species.

Alison explains the mechanics of bat detectors.

The group heads off. 

The bright lights of Kingston are left behind.

To listen to a Leisler's bat click on the link http://www.bats.org.uk/nbmp_tutorials_NI/tutorial33.html

Noctule http://www.bats.org.uk/nbmp_tutorials/tutorial33.html

Serotine http://www.bats.org.uk/nbmp_tutorials/tutorial34.html

Soprano pipistrelle http://www.bats.org.uk/nbmp_tutorials/tutorial39.html

Common pipistrelle http://www.bats.org.uk/nbmp_tutorials/tutorial40.html

Daunbenton's bat on Springwatch

Bench-painting and balsam bashing, Tolworth Brook/Surbiton Stream, Berrylands , Tuesday July 2nd, 2013

There's always plenty to keep the Kingston Greenspace Volunteers busy around the Meldone Avenue car park in Berrylands. If it's not picking up 11 rum bottles from the bushes, removing chairs from the undergrowth, or retrieving dumped garden waste, it's painting graffiti-covered benches. Using the famous 'Kingston Green' paint, provided by Quadron Services, a small group of volunteers set about transforming three benches.
Once this task was completed, the group continued to clear invasive Himalayan balsam from the Tolworth Brook, in a bid to reduce the impact of seeds travelling downstream to Elmbridge Meadows on the banks of the Hogsmill River. This stretch was much more badly affected by the plants than had been expected, so it will be necessary to make a return visit on July 14th. Please join us, if you can.

First, the all-important preparation.

Then comes the 'Kingston Green' paint. 

What a difference!

Himalayan balsam grows well in soft sediment at the margins.

Non-native wall species such as Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus) and Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis), thrive on artificial river walls. 

Rather surprisingly, native Branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum) is holding up well, despite the fully-reinforced concrete-lined river channel.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

?

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.