June's Park Diary (written by the Park management) said: "This month the deer give birth to their young. The young are not ready to follow their mothers in the herd for one or two weeks. Until then they lie hidden in deep grass or bracken. Their mothers graze in the vicinity, returning at intervals to groom and suckle them. At this age the young are very vulnerable to disturbance or attack by dogs. It is best to keep to footpaths at this time of year, and to keep dogs on leads or under close control."

Clearly the dog owners did not do this in these three cases. It is likely that the dog disturbed the young deer, the deer tried to run away but could not get very far, the dog instinctively chased it and then brought it to the ground and mauled it. There are still young deer around, so please keep your dog on the lead or under close control for the next few weeks.  

This news item first appeared in the Friends' July bulletin.

As of July 1, about 130 nests have been found, all north of a line between Ham Gate, Pen Ponds car park and Roehampton Gate. Where they have been in areas of frequent public use, they have been removed immediately. If not, they have awaited a removal team which was in the Park the week ending July 2, and should have removed them all. The spotting and removal is likely to continue for another two weeks. Their removal means that there is minimal risk to the public, but you will find that some trees have fences around them and you will see temporary notices where nests are awaiting removal.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. Last year three nests were spotted, this year 130. Nests have been found in neighbouring golf courses, on Star and Garter HIll, and in other surrounding areas. So we can expect next year to be worse. 

This item first appeared in the Friends' July bulletin.

July in the Park

What a load of rubbish! There are around 150 rubbish and dog waste bins in Richmond Park. The locations are chosen carefully - placed near entrances and around car parks. Where possible bins are also placed in remote areas of the Park but these locations are restricted to reasonably popular walking routes where they cross with vehicular access routes for collections. The 8 full-time staff on the litter team quite literally work from dawn to dusk - and even before dawn in the winter. Clearing litter, sweeping and maintaining the rubbish bins in Richmond Park costs the tax payer £250,000 per year. That is a lot of money that could be better spent improving the Park. Some members of the public kindly pick litter dropped by others, but there are things that you can do to help, especially during the Parks busiest summer months: -

• Please don’t drop litter
• Bag and bin all dog waste (even if the nearest bin is back at the car park)
• Take rubbish home – especially if you have quite a bit from a picnic etc

New tern raft The Park Diary for May reported that Common Terns (a slender coastal bird that migrates from Africa) were seen fishing in Pen Ponds last year. The Friends of Richmond Park sponsored a large purpose built raft designed specifically to encourage terns to nest. Well, the raft proved instantly successful as a pair of terns laid eggs in June. Chicks should hatch in July and should be visible through binoculars or telescopes as the raft is fitted with Perspex side to protect the tern from other birds and to stop the chicks falling off.

Government funding cuts The recent news headlines regarding public sector funding cuts may affect Richmond Park. The Royal Parks, along with almost all other government departments has been asked to find a 25% reduction in spending over the next 4-5 years. It is too early to know how this reduction may affect Richmond Park. The reduction may affect other Royal Parks, major projects or other services - or the shortfall in funding may be found by increasing revenue.

Road works Regular road users will no doubt have noticed the road works that took place in June. Unfortunately resurfacing that took place last year failed and the contractors have been required to re-do the work. The ‘spray-tar and chip’ method did require loose gravel to be left on the road for a few days whist the stone bedded into the tar. Advance notices and warning signs were in place to advise road users of the temporary road surface. Now the loose stone has been swept the road surface is back to normal – but the cracks and imperfections in the road are no longer apparent. It was obviously a frustrating few days, especially for cyclists but we trust that the need for the work and end result is appreciated by most people.

Did you see the Park on BBC's Springwatch? The BBC came to the Park as part of their feature on the London ‘bird race’. Different teams spent the whole day in London looking for as many birds as possible and Richmond Park was featured, offering views of Little Owl, Kingfisher, Hobby and Wheatear.

The Isabella Plantation in July

Flowering trees and shrubs Large, late flowering rhododendrons may be found in the south section of the garden, between the stream from the Still Pond and the main central stream. They have pink and white fragrant flowers and include many hybrids of Rhododendron auriculatum. Many rhododendrons are now producing handsome new leaves. These are often covered with a soft felt layer, which is white or ginger, and known as ‘indumentum’.

In the secluded lawn to the south of Thomson’s Pond the first giant flowers of the Magnolia grandiflora are set amongst glossy evergreen leaves. They have thick fleshy cream petals and a delicious citrus scent.

Clethra barbinervis with its long racemes of white fragrant flowers can be found on the path leading from the Top Gate leading down towards Bluebell Walk, near the entrance to Wilson’s Glade.

Heather garden Look out for the “Button Bush”, Cephalanthus occidentalis, set back from the path leading to the Bog Garden. This shrub bears creamy-white flowers in small globular heads, which are very attractive to butterflies.

Bog garden In the Bog Garden the tall yellow spires of Ligularia przewalskii are set against a backdrop of bamboo, and the Gunnera manicata spreads its giant prickly leaves. Here, and by the streams, many varieties of Hemerocallis, the ‘Day Lily,’ flower amongst iris. Bell-shaped, fragrant yellow of the “Giant Cowslip”, Primula florindae show in the marginal bed alongside the decked walkway. The wild flowers of ‘Purple Loosestrife’ and the frothy white blossoms of ‘Meadowsweet’ grow alongside more exotic plantings. Look out for butterflies visiting the Joe Pye weeds (Eupatorium purpureum) with its stately pinkish purple flowers. Water lilies open on Thomson’s Pond, where dragonflies and damselflies hover and dart over the water on warm still days. Just off the central path look out for the soft pink flowers of the ground cover plant Persicaria affinis ‘Superba’.

The birthday mound Hydrangea quercifolia with its large oak shaped leaves and abundance of frothy white flowers heads can be found putting on an impressive show on the banking surrounding the Red Oak stump.

Foxglove tree glade Hydrangea aspera flowers in the glade set back from the Still Pond; this magnificent large leafed shrub produces large heads of porcelain blue flowers, with a ring of lilac-pink or white ray florets.

Azalea feeding Streamside Azaleas are fed with an organically approved seaweed based feed after flowering to encourage vigour, disease resistance and flower production the following spring.

Camellia pruning The gardeners are also busy pruning Camellia japonica cultivars along Camellia Walk and in other areas of the Plantation. Plants are cut back to a 7 ‘framework to encourage them to shoot basally, produce healthy vigorous new growth and flowers lower down the plant. Pruning will also allow better air circulation and reduce the spread of diseases such as sooty mould that thrive in warm humid conditions. Pruning is carried out just after flowering in order to give the maximum amount of time for plants to recover before the onset of autumn frosts.
 

Isabella Plantation Garden walks 2010

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year. Walks will take place on:

July Friday 2nd and 30th, Sunday 18th

August Friday 6th and 27th

A history tour of the Plantation will take place on Friday 20th August and Sunday 15th August.

Walks last about 1.5 hours and are free of charge. Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11am.
 

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks

Open Day gives the Friends the opportunity to talk to children and young families about the Park and explain what we do. We will be manning a stand and recruiting new members.

This year we are sharing a stand with Susanna Ramsey of The Nature Collection (www.thenaturecollection.co.uk). Susanna has an extraordinary assemblage of feathers (including complete owl wings), bones and other specimens – many taken from Richmond Park (with the Royal Parks' approval). Susanna displayed part of the collection on the FRP stall at the Richmond May Fair, meeting with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. She will be giving three 20-minute slide presentations at the Richmond Park Open Day, together with demonstrations of owl pellet dissection.

Susanna has also devised and written about six family trails in a booklet to be published by the Friends. There will be a short "sample" trail around Holly Lodge, taken from the booklet, which can be followed on Open Day.

As well as running a stand, the Friends have been asked to help with stewarding duties on Open Day. If you are a Friend and would like to help, either by acting as a steward or manning the Friends' stand, email Karen Scott at k.m.scott@syncresis.co.uk by 31st July.

If you'd like to come along, the Fair will take place from noon to late afternoon on Saturday 10th July at Moormead Ground, Hill View Rd, St Margaret’s.

There is no car parking on site so it's best to come by public transport:

• by bus (the H37 from Richmond or Hounslow)
• by train (to St Margaret's Station)
• by tube (to Richmond Station)

For more information about the Fair or for maps of the area visit www.stmargaretsfair.org

June in the Park

Bats Members of the London Bat Group have for several years’ monitored bats in the Park by listening to them with special devices that make their echolocation calls audible to the human ear. From the surveys conducted in previous years we know for sure that the Park supports at least 9 of the UK’s 16 species. There is a very strong population of Brown Long-eared bats that are very sensitive to light and are rarely found in urban areas. Now is the time of year when bats are there most active – giving birth and raising young. If you ever find an injured bat or have a query about these animals look at the Bat Conservation Trust website – they run a 24 hr help line and co-ordinate a national network of volunteer bat workers who can help. You can also join the Friends of Richmond Park on their annual bat walk on 24th July.

Deer This month the deer give birth to their young. The Red ‘Hinds’ produce ‘Calves’, and the Fallow ‘Does’ produce ‘Fawns’. The young are not ready to follow their mothers in the herd for one or two weeks. Until then they lie hidden in deep grass or bracken. Their mothers graze in the vicinity, returning at intervals to groom and suckle them. At this age the young are very vulnerable to disturbance or attack by dogs, or from people who find them and interfere because they think they have been abandoned. Moving or touching very young deer may result in them being abandoned by their mothers and thus failing to survive, so please leave them alone. If a Red Deer approaches you it is probably because she has a calf somewhere nearby. Walking away from her may inadvertently mean that you are walking towards the calf. The preferred course of action would be to retrace your footsteps and take a wide berth on a different track. It is also best to keep to footpaths at this time of year, and to keep dogs on leads or under close control.

Bracken, ticks and Lyme Disease The bracken that covers many open areas continues to emerge, reaching ‘full frond’ by mid July. It provides cover for ticks that can attach themselves to deer, dogs or humans and potentially pass on Lyme disease. If you find a tick on you and develop cold like symptoms it is precautionary to tell your doctor. Dogs can be prevented from getting ticks by using drops supplied in pet shops or vets. A leaflet is available from Holly Lodge or for advice contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or see their website.

Where are the cows?  You may have noticed that the cows have disappeared from their paddock. They have returned to Bedfont Lakes to be looked after by the Hounslow Countryside Service who loan the cows to us. The 3 Highland cattle and 2 Dexter’s have done a fantastic job this winter of removing all the available forage and ‘opened up’ the grassland sward to allow more delicate species to flower this summer. They will return this autumn to continue their essential conservation work.

The Isabella Plantation in June

Rhododendrons The spectacular flowering of the evergreen azaleas is now over and the stage is left to the late rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas, many of which are fragrant, set against a backdrop of purple-flowered, naturalised Rhododendron ponticum.

Bog Garden The huge prickly leaves of the Gunnera manicata conceal its stout flowering spikes, and contrast with delicate fern fronds and the ribbed, glaucous leaves of hostas. Here and elsewhere bordering the streams, you will find Primula japonica, a candelabra type, in its red, white and magenta forms; lilac-purple Primula beesiana and fragrant yellow Primula florindae. Several iris species are also in flower, including Iris pseudoacorus, our native yellow flag. The Day Lilly, Hemerocallis hyperion, with its lemon-yellow flowers also grows in the beds beside the stream. The new island bed looks stunning at this time of year with the fern Dryopteris erythrosora showing coppery pink young fronds and the Swamp Honeysuckle, Rhododendron viscosum, bearing its spicily fragrant, white flowers.

The Birthday Mound Digitalis purpurea ‘Alba’, the “White foxglove” is naturalised throughout this area which was planted in 2003 to celebrate Isabella’s 50th anniversary. This european native produces spikes of white bell-shaped flowers with a maroon spotted throat from a rosette of rich green leaves.

Stream Side Along the Main Stream look out for Galax urceolata, a clump forming perennial with large, round, leathery, mid-green leaves which turn bronze in autumn. It has dense spikes of small, white flowers.

Wilson's Glade Look out for Neillia thibetica which grows opposite the Beauty Bush, Kolkwitzia amabilis, with its profusion of small foxglove-like pink flowers. This medium sized shrub has slender terminal racemes of pink, tubular flowers. Cornus kousa chinensis also grows in Wilson’s Glade, its numerous flowers which have conspicuous white bracts poised on slender stalks cover its spreading branches in June.

Flowering trees and shrubs worth seeking out include:

Liriodendron tulipifera, the “Tulip Tree” stands at the Broomfield Hill Top Gate and other locations within the garden. As well as having odd shaped leaves which turn butter yellow in autumn. It has peculiar yellow-green flowers, with internal orange markings, which appear in June and are tulip-shaped.

Calycanthus floridus, “Carolina Allspice” grows in the ”V between the Streams”, this Californian species produces aromatic red-brown flowers throughout the summer months.

Stewartia pseudocamellia, grows by the path above the Heather Garden. This deciduous tree bears five petalled white flowers with orange-yellow centres.

Kalmia latifolia, which can be found where the path to the Still Pond crosses the Main Stream. It is an evergreen shrub, whose intricate pink flowers, when in bud, resemble 'Iced Gem' biscuits.

Styrax japonicus, the “Snowbell Tree”, has a profusion of small white bell-shaped flowers dangling below its slender branches. One of several can be found in the bay to the east of Thompsons Lawn.

Azaleodendron 'Govenianum' has trusses of funnel shaped lilac-purple flowers which are very fragrant. A group grows by the sandy path leading to the west of the Garden from the behind the iron ‘1831’ sign.

Magnolia tripetala, the “Umbrella Tree” can be found growing in a glade set back of the Bluebell Walk. This tree has large leaves and in June produces cream- coloured pungently scented flowers, which are followed by attractive red, cone-shaped fruit clusters.

Guide to the Isabella Plantation Priced at 50 pence, this colourful and informative leaflet is on sale at Holly Lodge or can be obtained from the Warden within the Garden.

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2010

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year. Walks will take place on:

June: Friday 4th and 25th, Sunday 13th

July: Friday 2nd and 30th, Sunday 18th

Walks last about 1.5 hours and are free of charge. Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00a.m.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks
 

May in the Park

Middle road The central cycle route from Ham Cross to Pen Ponds has in recent years suffered from flooding and mud and ice on the tarmac. Transport for London has funded improvements to this route which is very busy with commuting cyclists. The bridleway has been shifted away from the road to allow for a shallow ditch to be placed adjacent to the road. Gullies and drains have also been installed and 3 passing bays have been installed to allow service vehicles to pull over to allow cyclists to pass. The work has caused some inevitable disruption but we trust that cyclists and horse riders appreciate the need to improve this route ready for next winter.

New tern raft Common Terns are a slender white and grey bird whose long tails and graceful wings have earned them the nick name ‘Sea Swallows’. They migrate to the UK from April onwards and nest on small islands at coastal areas, where they also fish by plunging into the water from high. Island lakes will also support the occasional pair if conditions are right. Pen Ponds saw occasional Terns visiting in recent years since the fish stocks were improved. A small home-made island was placed in the upper Pen Ponds which created some interest by a pair last year. This year the Friends of Richmond Park have sponsored a large purpose built raft complete with perspex sides to protect the terns from other birds and to prevent chicks from falling off the raft.

Gorse Also known as Furze or Whin, this evergreen thorny shrub can be seen in small enclosures in the north of the Park and at the bottom of Broomfield Hill. Although prickly it is also very nutritious- so Gorse was crushed to provide fodder for livestock on a ‘whin stone’. It is also the food source of the Green Hairstreak butterfly and offers essential cover for nesting songbirds that feed in the surrounding grassland. An infusion of gorse is said to cure horses of worms and it ignites easily and burns at high temperature making it useful for starting bonfires. During May it is drenched with yellow flowers that smell of coconut but the flowers will remain in small numbers for the entire year. This unusual all-year flowering gives rise to the old country sayings ‘When Furze is in bloom, my love is in tune’ or ‘When Gorse is out of bloom, then kissing's out of fashion’ !

The poor man's nightingale Nightingales may be known for their beautiful fluid song, but listen to the Blackcap as it tries to impress a mate and you’ll be pushed to choose which is the better songster. It is one of the ‘Warblers’, a group of birds that can be difficult to identify by sight. But the Blackcap’s distinctive toupee (the female has a brown cap) means that this little bird is the exception the rule. A few pairs nest in the Park and some over winter here too, but most migrate for the winter.

To listen to a recording of the Blackcap, or any other British bird, look at the RSPB’s web site - www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife

The Isabella Plantation in May

The peak flowering season for rhododendrons and azaleas

Rhododendrons On the lawn above Thomson’s Pond are two beds planted with the Japanese species, Rhododendron yakushimanum, amongst a group of its hybrids named after the Seven Dwarfs: Sneezy, Grumpy etc. These plants are compact and very floriferous. (12.) Also, seek out the tall ‘Loderi’ hybrid ‘King George’, with its large soft pink flowers which are sweetly fragrant. It grows in a number places in the Garden but most notably set back above the Still Pond. Follow the Small Stream down from the Still Pond to discover Rhododendron williamsiananum, a compact species with attractive bronze young shoots, distinctive heart shaped leaves and bell-shaped, shell-pink flowers. Look out for Rhododendron ‘Bibiani’ growing in a number of areas in the garden, this shrub produces compact trusses of rich crimson funnel shaped flowers with maroon spots.

Evergreen azaleas Easy to identify are:‘Orange Beauty’, the most orange of all ‘Amoena’, small bright magenta flowers
‘Rosebud’, opening buds resemble tiny roses ‘Palestrina’ , white with a faint ray of green
‘Vuyk’s Scarlet’, large flowers of a deep silky red ‘Hinode Giri’, bright crimson, around the Still Pond
‘Kirin’ a pale pink “hose in hose” (flower within an flower)

Deciduous azaleas These flower slightly later and often have a rich spicy smell, particularly Azalea pontica, (Rhododendron luteum), which is yellow and to be found by the gate to Broomfield Hill. (1)

The bog garden Look out for Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’, growing in the bed by the middle pond it bares orange-red flowers and has a reddish tinge to the emerging young shoots.The clusters of white or pale pink flowers borne on white–haired stems spreading throughout this bed are those of the “Umbrella Plant” Darmera peltata. Also present are the young fronds of the “Shuttlecock Fern”, Matteuccia struthiopteris which show an attractive fresh green.

The native tree the “Whitebeam”, Sorbus aria grows near the Broomfield Hill gate and looks particularly attractive at this time of the year with its silvery-white young leaves. Skimmia japonica can also be found growing near this gate along the path that leads onto Camellia Walk and the Still Pond

The “Foxglove Tree”, Paulownia tomentosa (22) stands in the glade between the Still Pond and Old Nursery Glade. This large leaved tree bares sprays of fragrant foxglove-like pinkish-lilac flowers in Spring.

The “Pocket Handkerchief Tree”, Davidia involucrata, set back from the Camellia Walk, (18) has intriguing white hanging bracts. Another specimen may be found in a secluded lawn to the southeast of Thomson’s Pond.

The “Snowdrop Tree”, Halesia carolina, with dangling white bell flowers, stands by the path above Thomson’s Pond.

Cornus nuttallii, whose white bracts appear like flowers, can be found set back in the newly planted Magnolia Glade near the Ham Gate entrance. Also look out for the pale lemon yellow fragrant flowers of Magnolia wilsonii ‘Yellow Fever’ and the wonderful deep purple flowers of Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’.

Bluebells carpet the wilder fringes of the Garden. PLEASE KEEP TO THE PATHS TO AVOID TRAMPLING THEM.

(Numbers in brackets) relate to the self guided walk in the colourful leaflet, Guide to the Isabella Plantation, priced 50 pence, which is available from Holly Lodge, and from the Park Warden within the Garden.

 The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks.

• keep people up-to-date with Friends' news and events
• explain how to join the Friends of Richmond Park and play a part in its activities
• promote understanding and appreciation of the Park and its history, ecology and wildlife
• help people enjoy their visits to the Park

We're grateful to our friends at SAV who have generously committed their time and expertise to the redesign and who keep the site running from day to day.  

Event Programme

10.15 Doors Open
10.30 Coffee
10.45 Chairman's Welcome
10.55 Speaker: Trees in Richmond Park. Simon Richards, Park Superintendent
11.45 Panel Discussion and Q & A on the management of Richmond Park. Simon Richards and others
12.15 Lunch. A buffet and a glass of wine. Also time to chat informally to Simon Richards and officers and trustees of The Friends
13.00 Annual General Meeting

THE FRIENDS OF RICHMOND PARK
FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of The Friends of Richmond Park will be held at 1.00 pm on Saturday 24 April 2010 at the King's House School, 68 King's Road, Richmond TW10 6ES.

AGENDA
1.   Apologies for absence
2.   Minutes of the AGM held on 25 April 2009
3.   To receive and consider Chairman's Annual Report
4.   To receive and consider Annual Accounts for the period ending 31 December 2009
5.   Election of Officers:
     (a)  Chairman: Ron Crompton has been nominated;
     (b)  Secretary: Max Lankester has been nominated;
     (c)  Treasurer: Jack Maunders has been nominated.
6.   Election of Trustees. The following have been nominated:
        Brian Baker
        Peter Burrows-Smith
        John Collier
        Nick Coleman
        Teresa Grafton
        Richard Gray
        PJ Greeves
        Sheila Hamilton and
        John Karter
7.   Appointment of Mark Hamilton as Honorary Independent Examiner  
8.   Any other business
 

April in the Park

Isabella Plantation has Camellias, Magnolias, Pieris and Rhododendrons in bloom. The Japanese azaleas may be at their best at the end of this month or the beginning of May. A colourful Guide to the Isabella Plantation, priced 50 pence is available from Holly Lodge and the information centre at Pembroke Lodge.

Frogs, toads and newts These amphibians migrate on wet spring nights to mate in the Park’s 20, or so, ponds. Frog spawn is formed of the familiar clumps of clear ‘jelly-like’ balls, protecting the developing tadpole. Toad spawn takes the form of long continuous strands of ‘jelly’ dotted with the black eggs every centimetre or so. Newt spawn is the most difficult to see. All 3 newt species lay single eggs, tucked under the leaves of submerged aquatic plants. Please do not remove any tadpoles or spawn. Do not add any tadpoles or spawn to the ponds either, as this may introduce disease. Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve, where wildlife is protected from disturbance.

Spring flowers With the advent of spring our native flowers including Bluebells, Primroses and Violets are starting to show. Bluebells tend only to be seen where the deer are excluded and are the quintessential woodland flower. Since 1998 it has been illegal to up root bluebells. They emerge early in the year to beat the trees, whose leaves emerge later and shade out available light. Folklore states that anyone who hears Bluebells chime would not have long to live! The name Primrose comes from ‘Prima Rosa’ meaning the first Rose of the year. The five petals represent birth, initiation, consummation, repose and death, whilst a rare primrose with 6 petals brings luck in love and marriage. There is a Myth that Violets can only be smelt once. Although untrue, the scent is short lived and one of the chemicals that make up the scent (iodine) has the ability to deaden our smell receptors that detect it.

Long-distance walks There are 2 long distance walks that include Richmond Park. The Capital Ring runs through the Park from Petersham to Robin Hood Gate and is part of a surprisingly rural route that encircles London. Distance is 125km (78miles) and cleverly links together Parks and open spaces, and quiet residential roads. It is divided into 15 sections with an average distance of 7.8km (4.9ml) and can be completed over a number of days or just enjoyed as an alternative to your usual walk. The Beverley Brook Walk runs through the Park from Robin Hood Gate to Roehampton Gate and is part of the 10km walk from Putney and Wimbledon, following the Beverly Brook. It is a very pleasant walk and offers good opportunities to see Kingfishers and other wildlife.

Deer No sooner have the deer cast their antlers, than new ones begin to grow. They are clothed in ‘velvet’, which is specialised skin covered in short erect hairs. The velvet contains nerves and a great many blood vessels to ensure nourishment reaches the growing antler. As the largest males cast their antlers first, they may lose rank to younger males still bearing a full head, so at this time they tend to seek seclusion from the herd. All deer are now moulting their winter coats. Magpies and Jackdaws may be seen riding on their backs to pluck out tufts for lining their nests.

The Isabella Plantation in April

The streams are bright with Marsh Marigolds, (Caltha palustris). The yellow hooded spathes of the American Skunk Cabbage, (Lysichiton americanus), which precede large rank leathery leaves, are conspicuous along the stream from the Still Pond. 

Camellias are still flowering throughout the Garden. They are mainly older Camellia japonica cultivars and a number of Williamsii hybrids.

Rhododendrons Along the Bluebell Walk, opposite the Acer Glade, look out for the bright purple flowers of the deciduous R. reticulatum. This month the Japanese azaleas start into flower. They are usually at their best during the last week of April and the first week of May. R.racemosum grows down the path from the Still Pond, it is a medium sized shrub that bears pale to bright pink flowers. Rhododendron ‘Quaker Girl’ grows in the glade set back from the path at the top of Thomson’s Stream and bears trusses of stunning white flowers with a deep crimson throat. Look out for Rhododendron ‘Bibiani’ growing in a number of areas in the garden, this shrub produces compact trusses of rich crimson funnel shaped flowers with maroon spots. Early evergreen azaleas are beginning to flower throughout the garden look out for ‘Kirin’ a pale pink “hose in hose” (flower within an flower) and ‘Sylvester’ which has small deep pink flowers. In a glade set back from the Main Stream and other locations around the Garden are the blue flowering Rhododendrons from the Triflorum series these are Rhododendron augustinii and the R,chasmanthum hybrid Rhododendron ‘Electra’. 

Magnolias Throughout the gardens pink and white forms of Magnolia soulangiana come into flower. Along the Bluebell Walk are two small pink hybrids of M. stellata, called M. X loebneri 'Leonard Messel'. A larger one is set back by the Scots Pine to the far side of the Acer Glade. Magnolia ‘Heaven Scent’ one of the Gresham Hybrids grows in a ride off the Main Stream and has goblet shaped flowers, pink on the outside and white inside. Its flowers have a strong lavender scent. 

Daffodils In the Wet Lawn area near the top gate, the golden yellow flowers of Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. bulbocodium with conical cups and pointed petals have now appeared and succeed the delicate flowers of Narcissus cyclamineus, which are also naturalised in this area.

The Bog Garden Look out for the clusters of white or pale pink flowers borne on white–haired stems which are those of the “Umbrella Plant”, Darmera peltata which flowers before it produces foliage.

Guide to the Isabella Plantation A colourful leaflet guide, costing 50 pence, is on sale at Holly Lodge and is also available from the Park Warden in the Garden.

Wheelchair available A motorised wheelchair, which makes the job of pushing considerably easier, may be loaned for use within the Garden on weekdays between 9.00 and 15.00. Please ring 020 8948 3209 to book the chair by noon on the day before it is required. 

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2010

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year.

Walks will take place on:

April: Friday 9th and 30th, Sunday 18th

May: Friday 7th and 28th, Sunday 9th May

Walks last about 1.5 hours and are free of charge. Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00a.m.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks.

The enclosures project will create a number of small enclosed areas, planted with bramble, a mixture of shrubs and a few small trees, with the aim of providing ground cover for nesting birds and wildlife. The fencing will protect the area from deer and dogs. Recent surveys have shown a significant lack of certain species of woodland birds in the Park, which the project hopes to rectify.

The tern raft project will replace the existing tern raft on Pen Ponds, on which terns nest, with a “new improved” one. The improvements include side panelling which helps to prevent other birds nesting there (and the young from sliding off!). Many of you will have seen the wonderful sight this summer of terns wheeling and diving for food in Pen Ponds; we printed a photograph of a tern with a fish in its mouth on the back cover of our last newsletter. 

To quote them “90% of the cars in the park are using it simply as a short-cut and do not stop in the car parks; these rat-runners will get away scot-free. Meanwhile, genuine users of Bushy Park - including dog-walkers, joggers, anglers, sports clubs and health walkers - will be penalised by the proposed charges. Many locals favour an alternative approach of charging a nominal toll of 20p on cars travelling through the Park. This would raise more money than parking charges, would deter through-traffic which could use other routes and would not penalise those who stop to use and enjoy the Park.” See their website http://www.keepbushyparkfree.org.uk for more details.

The Keep Bushy Park Free campaign and others have followed up this idea with letters to local newspapers - most recently in the January 1 edition of the Richmond and Twickenham Times, which carried three articles discussing a toll on through traffic in Bushy Park.

In the parking charges consultation the Friends of Richmond Park did with its members earlier this year we did not ask about a toll on through traffic in Richmond Park, but a number of people wrote on their responses that a small charge on through traffic would be a fairer way of raising money than parking charges.

Typical comments included “The biggest issue in the Parks is not those who come by car to use the Park but those who drive through it as a short cut”. “The most radical solution would be to charge people on exit UNLESS they spent say 45 minutes or more in Richmond Park.","Parking charges leaves wholly unpenalised those who merely use it for a short-cut”.“If the park has to raise money every vehicle entering the park should pay a small fee - say 40p”.

We do not know whether The Royal Parks or Margaret Hodge treated the idea of a toll on through traffic road tolls as a serious alternative to parking charges, but it is obviously becoming a live issue.

Since there is no specific proposal as yet, we do not intend to do a formal consultation of our members, as on parking charges. 

As in previous years, the judges were looking for original, beautiful or striking images that show why the Park is so special. The deadline for entries was May 10.

The winning photographs will displayed in the Richmond Park Visitors' Centre in due course.

Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Culture and Tourism, announced today that she will go ahead with parking charges in Richmond Park later this year. The final scheme is effectively the same as originally proposed, the only modification being that there will be no 6-hour maximum stay.
The Friends is disappointed with the announcement. We are not against parking charges in principle (in our own consultation among our members, 43% of the 400 members who responded were in favour of charges, 57% against). However, we have significant concerns with the scheme being introduced:

• The rates are too high and the cost will be prohibitive for many people - up to £1,000 a year for dog walkers who come to the Park twice a day. We proposed a low-cost season ticket for regular Park users; this idea has been ignored.
• There will be a large increase in parking in those surrounding streets where parking is free, which will cause major difficulties for local residents. The research commissioned by the Minister on this does not really tackle the issue.
• The elimination of a 6-hour maximum stay will encourage commuters to continue parking in the Park for the day; this already happens at Pembroke Lodge car park - and now at Kingston Gate car park by hospital workers since Kingston Council extended their CPZ in November to cover the roads next to the gate.

The proposal does tackle the major problem of congestion in the car parks at peak periods (summer weekends and bank holidays) but only by penalising users of the Park at non-congested times. We think it would have been much better to have charges only for those peak times.
The announcement also promises a review of the feasibility of a land train in Richmond Park, but people still have to come to the Park by car. We think that there should also be a review of ways of improving public transport to the Park, so that visitors would not have to come by car.
The Friends of Bushy Park have proposed a toll on through traffic as an alternative to parking charges. We are currently reviewing this idea to understand its implications, and have asked our members for their views.
 

All deer parks have a maximum capacity of deer numbers, which must not be exceeded to avoid problems of disease and damage to the natural environment (the complex ecosystems for which Richmond Park is notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserve and a European Special Area of Conservation,  being of particular importance). 

The British Deer Society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales, who are regarded as the main welfare organizations dealing with the welfare and management of deer nationally, recognize that parkland deer numbers must be managed and that removal of some of the deer is necessary each year to keep populations at acceptable levels. 

The British Deer Society and the Deer Initiative fully endorse the humane shooting of deer as the optimum method of deer control in the Royal Parks. There are currently no realistic prospects of limiting the fertility of the deer by contraception in the Royal Parks and, in contrast to deer farms, there are no facilities to catch and re-locate the deer.  As all deer parks already have deer that breed prolifically and wild deer are increasing in numbers across England, the re-location of deer in large numbers from deer parks is not a realistic or sustainable option because the problem would just be transferred elsewhere.

It is worth stating that the standard and humaneness of the culling in the Royal Parks is scrutinized and approved each year by the nominated veterinary surgeon caring for the health and welfare of the deer. There is no sensible or realistic alternative to the current management practice of humanely culling the deer.  The personnel involved in the culling of the deer are very experienced and highly skilled marksmen.  There is no evidence that the deer herds suffer any disruption or stress because of the cull and the individuals that are selected for removal are instantly and humanely killed without experiencing any fear or distress. 

Without such planned and monitored control of the deer population, the herds would increase by some 30% annually and both the deer and the parks would suffer from overcrowding very quickly.

When deer populations build up to unnatural levels, the risks of disease and malnutrition become very great.  There are no natural predators of deer in the UK, certainly none in the parks and it would clearly be unacceptable to allow over population and starvation to become the controlling factors of the deer herds.

Rounding up, handling and transporting the deer (particularly Fallow deer) to alternative locations can result in great stress and a high risk of injury, as the deer are effectively wild and have never been selected or conditioned to being handled like cattle.  Catching a few deer by one means or another might be possible, but the losses and stresses involved with such operations are generally regarded as unacceptable on welfare grounds and limited catching would not provide a solution to the ongoing growth of the population by natural breeding.  Deer that have been moved between sites following the use of tranquillizers cannot be allowed to enter the human food chain and this precludes the direct release of deer back into the wild.

March in the Park

Nesting Birds: The courtship behaviour of breeding birds is starting to become evident and Skylarks are performing their fantastic displays in various locations.  As ground nesting birds they are particularly vulnerable to disturbance.  Dogs have a habit of running randomly away from paths and so the dogs-on-leads zone will again be marked out from March.  Since this policy was introduced the numbers of breeding Skylarks has increased from about 3 singing males to more than 20.
Last year was the first time that the dogs-on-leads request was introduced at Pen Ponds.  Although a minority of dog walkers did not adhere to the signs, sufficient numbers did.  It was also the first time for at least 3 years that cygnets survived. Hopefully this success will continue in the forthcoming breeding season.

Pegasus Crossing: Last month saw the official opening of a new road crossing linking Richmond Park with Wimbledon Common.  Situated  just outside Robin Hood Gate, the 'Pegasus' crossing is designed to be used by horse riders as well as pedestrians. It now means that riders can safely enjoy very long rides between to 2 open spaces and add interest and variation to routine walks.  Previous to the crossing being installed, the pedestrian footbridge was unsuitable for riders who had to risk crossing the busy A3 road.

Tern Raft: This spring will see the installation of a new bird breeding raft in pen ponds.  We have had a small raft in the pond for a couple of years and in 2009 a pair of Common Terns stayed for most of summer and attempted to breed.  Their interest in the ponds was also due to re-stocking the ponds with a number of smaller fish a few years ago. The Friends of  Richmond Park have therefore generously sponsored the new raft through money raised from sales in the visitor centre at Pembroke Lodge.  The new raft is 8' x 4' and fitted with Perspex sides.  These protect the chicks from falling in the water and help prevent other birds such as geese and gulls from monopolising the available space.

Mad March Hares: Hares behave excitedly in March which is their mating season. Their lively behaviour involves jumping and boxing and will actually continue for several months.  Lewis Carroll referenced this behaviour in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - “The March Hare ...as this is May, it won't be raving mad - at least not as mad as it was in March.”  The expression 'hare-brained' meaning mad, is also derived from Hares behaviour at this time of year.  Unfortunately Hares have not been seen in the Park for some time.  They were still around on the golf course until 1972, at least. They are longer-limbed and can run faster than Rabbits (up to 30 or even 40 mph) but unlike Rabbits they do not breed underground and are therefore vulnerable to dogs and changes in farming practices.   

Deer: The cull of male deer takes place in February and is usually completed by early March.  By keeping the ratio of male to female deer at no more than 1:3, the aggression levels between males is kept low, yet there are still plenty of deer with antlers to be seen and the number of young born each year is not too excessive.

The Isabella Plantation in March

Heather Garden
Here Erica x darleyensis ranges throughout in its pink and white varieties. Erica erigena forms taller dense mounds and is represented by "W.T. Rackliff" which is white, and "Brightness" which has rose purple flowers and bronze leaves. Set back towards the top of the Heather Garden is Erica lusitanica, tallest of all, with white flowers opening from pink buds. Erica carnea 'Myretoun Ruby' has recently been planted near the Swamp Cyprus its deep reddish pink flowers brighten this spot from January to May.

Camellias
Following the path which runs through woodland up the western side of the Garden you will find two of the many famous williamsii hybrid camellias: Camellia 'Donation', and C. 'Inspiration' near the ancient pollard oak. Nearby, the formal double white flowers, striped with red and pink, belong to Camellia japonica 'Lavinnia Maggi'. Camellias frequently produce 'sports', and you may find white, red and striped flowers all on the same plant. Camellia japonica 'Preston Rose' also grows in this area and bears salmon- pink paeony form flowers. Camellia 'Parkside' another williamsii hybrid bearing an abundance of large clear pink semi double flowers grows in Magnolia grandiflora Glade set back from Thomson's Lawn. Another garden favourite, Camellia japonica 'Alba Simplex' shows large white flowers with conspicuous yellow stamens and grows in many spots around the garden, including set back at the top of the main stream path. 

Three Wilson Plants
Rhododendron lutescens, is an early-flowering rhododendron species from China, small leaves and primrose yellow blooms. Many of these plants grow set back to the east of the Main Stream. More, younger plants grow near the fence in Wilson's Glade. Wilson's Glade is situated to the north of the entrance gate from Broomfield Hill car park. It houses a collection of plants introduced to this country by the famous plant collector, Ernest Wilson. Also near the fence of the glade is a group of Stachyurus chinensis, a shrub with long drooping racemes of soft yellow flowers. Close to the main path through the glade is Corylopsis veitchiana, a large erect growing shrub that also bears its flowers in large racemes of primrose yellow with conspicuous brick red anthers.

Magnolias
During March several magnolias come into flower. A fine Magnolia stellata stands near the path above Thomson's Pond. Many others are planted throughout the Garden, particularly in woodland areas on the western side.Two young Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' can be found growing in Bluebell Walk opposite Acer Glade. This large shrub or small tree bears lilac-pink flowers that are deeper in bud. A more mature form can be found growing on the other side of Acer Glade by the Scots Pine.

Narcissi
Growing on the wet lawn near the gate from Broomfield Hill car park, the dwarf Narcissus cyclamineus, native of Spain and Portugal, has pendent golden flowers with narrow trumpets and upward sweeping petals, reminiscent of a cyclamen bloom. Soon to follow on this lawn will be N. bulbocodium, commonly known as the 'hooped petticoat', due to its widely flared trumpet.

Other Plants of Interest
The “Fuji Cherry”, Prunus incisa, grows set back behind the Witch Hazel's on the path leading from the Broomfield Hill gate leading to the lawn above Thomson's Pond. This lovely Japanese species bears small white flowers, which are pink-tinged in bud and appear pink from a distance. Clematis armandii, an evergreen Clematis with creamy white flowers grows up a dead tree in Beech Bay, the area between Thomson's Pond and the Main Stream. Rhododendron sutchuense stands above the Still Pond, this outstanding Chinese shrub bears a profusion of large bell-shaped flowers which are a rosy-lilac in colour with purple spots. This Rhododendron is another Ernest Wilson introduction. In the 'V ' between the streams area look out for two stunning Rhododendrons grown for both their stunning flowers and bark; Rhododendron shilsonii which has loose trusses of bell shaped blood-red flowers and Rhododendron hylaeum with its pale pink flowers. R.calophytum 'Robin Hood' grows above these two rhododendrons, set back off the main stream path and bears large trusses of pale pink bell-shaped flowers with a maroon basal blotch.

Isabella Plantation Garden Walks 2010

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year. Walks will take place on:

• March: Friday 5th, Sunday 14th, & Friday 26th

Walks last about one and a half hours and are free of charge.
Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00a.m.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks

February in the Park

Gate Opening and Closing: The road gates to Richmond Park are open between dawn and dusk by a security company contracted by the Royal Parks.  The times of opening and closing are displayed at each entrance gate and are on the Royal Parks website for the ensuing year.  The gates are closed at 16.00 hrs in winter, 21.00hrs in summer and adjust throughout the autumn and spring by approximately 15 minutes per week. Opening times are 07.00hrs in the summer and 07.30hrs in the winter.  The gates are closed to allow the deer and other wildlife the opportunity to move around the Park to feed without being injured by vehicles.  Pedestrian gates are left open at night but the gates are set to a double gate system that allows pedestrian access whilst preventing deer escaping.  Even the pedestrian gates are locked during the deer culls in February and November.  During the day the traffic gates can be left  open as the deer do not feel safe where there are high volumes of traffic.

Park Regulations:  On 15th January Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture Media and Sport announced a number of proposed changes to the Park Regulations including the introduction of car parking charges in Richmond Park.  This follows a public consultation held in 2009. Subject to parliamentary approval, the changes are expected to come into force in the autumn of 2010.  Full details are on the Royal Parks web site www.royalparks.org.uk  Permission for a public demonstration against the proposals was given for 30th January and attracted a great deal of local interest. 

Deer Cull: With no predators and 200 births annually, the deer population would increase beyond the Parks carrying capacity without human intervention.  To prevent starvation and habitat destruction, the deer are selectively culled during November and again in February.  This ensures a healthy herd of 630 with the correct balance of ages and sexes.

Cows: The 5 Cows continue to graze the 4-hectare paddock on Sawyer's Hill, near Holly Lodge.  This trial grazing project is being undertaken to see if the cows have a beneficial effect on the rare acid grassland.  Cows were known to have roamed Richmond Park at least until 1943 and it is thought that their absence has contributed to the decline of species diversity of the grassland.  The cows (Highland and Dexters) will remain until they have eaten all the grass required or the grazier needs them elsewhere.

Tree Planting:  During February the estate maintenance team will be busy planting trees.  Some of their work will be the replacement of larger trees in the wooden deer guards that have not established.   They are also planting a new boundary screen of holly, privet and thorn around the edge of Sidmouth woods.  A traditional livestock hedge will be planted around the fence at the new pond by Cambrian Gate.

Isabella Plantation in February

Trees and Shrubs with Coloured and Textured Bark
The pollarded willows on the banks of Peg's Pond are forms of Salix alba, with amber and red stems.
Yellow-stemmed dogwood, Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea', grows nearby under the weeping willow, and in the Bog Garden.
Red-stemmed dogwood, Cornus alba, is set back behind the heathers, and throughout the Bog Garden. Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' has orange and red stems which show throughout the winter months and can also be found in the Bog Garden.
The “River Birch”, Betula nigra, has papery shredding buff coloured bark. Two of these trees grow on the north side of the Main Stream; one above the Heather Garden and the other towards the top.
Three “Himalayan Birches”, B. jacquemontii, with striking white stems, stand on the lawn above Thomson's Pond.
The “Tibetan Cherry”, Prunus serrula, has gleaming mahogany-red bark beginning to peel into curly shreds. One is set back on the lawn to the north east of Thomson's Pond. Three other good specimens may also be found in Wilson's Glade.
Acer hersii, at the north end of the Acer Glade path, is one of several 'snake bark' Acers in the garden.

Heather Garden
Erica x darleyensis comes into flower in its pink and white forms.
Tawny seed heads of Erica vagans remain decorative all winter.
The tall “Portugal Heath”, Erica lusitanica, bears slightly fragrant tubular white flowers opening from pink buds throughout winter.
Clumps may be found towards the top of the Heather Garden, near the junction of Thomson's Stream and the Main Stream.
Nandina domestica “Sacred Bamboo”, is planted behind the heather in several places, is truly a plant for all seasons. Decorative evergreen leaves are tinged purple in spring and autumn, panicles of white flowers open in the summer to provide orange red berries throughout winter.

Flowering Shrubs
Hamamelis mollis, the “Witch Hazel”, has fragrant yellow tassel flowers. Two large shrubs stand by the gate to Broomfield Hill.
Lonicera X purpusii 'Winter Beauty' is a shrubby honeysuckle which bears tiny white fragrant flowers throughout winter. A group of these shrubs grows by the Acer Glade path.
Rhododendron dauricum 'Midwinter' is a semi-evergreen or deciduous Rhododendron which grows on Bluebell Walk and looks stunning this month with its phlox purple flowers.
Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer' flowers pink in bud and fades to white grows alongside the main stream path above the Bog Garden. The name refers to the one time practice of forcing this plant for decoration.
Camellia japonica 'Nobilissima', with white peony form flowers grows in the woodland ride to the north of Thomson's Stream.
The williamsii hybrid Camellia 'Parkside' bears an abundance of semi-double flowers in a clear pink and can be found growing in the glade next to Thomson's Lawn.  Many other Camellias are beginning to flower around the gardens.
Cornus mas the “Cornelian Cherry” grows in the shelterbelt near the gate to disabled car park. It produces lots of small yellow flowers on the naked stems throughout February.
Look out for the daffodil Narcissus cyclamineus growing naturalised in the lawns to the left of the Top Gate which bare delicate rich golden pendulous flowers

Isabella Garden Walks 2010

You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year.
Walks will take place on:

• February: Friday 5th, Sunday 7th, & Friday 26th
• March: Friday 5th, Sunday 14th, & Friday 26th

Walks last about one and a half hours and are free of charge.
Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00a.m.

The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks

The Friends is disappointed with the announcement. We are not against parking charges in principle (in our own consultation among our members, 43% of the 400 members who responded were in favour of charges, 57% against). However, we have significant concerns with the scheme being introduced:

• The rates are too high and the cost will be prohibitive for many people - up to £1,000 a year for dog walkers who come to the Park twice a day. We proposed a low-cost season ticket for regular Park users; this idea has been ignored.
• There will be a large increase in parking in those surrounding streets where parking is free, which will cause major difficulties for local residents. The research commissioned by the Minister on this does not really tackle the issue.
• The elimination of a 6-hour maximum stay will encourage commuters to continue parking in the Park for the day; this already happens at Pembroke Lodge car park - and now at Kingston Gate car park by hospital workers since Kingston Council extended their CPZ in November to cover the roads next to the gate.

The proposal does tackle the major problem of congestion in the car parks at peak periods (summer weekends and bank holidays) but only by penalising users of the Park at non-congested times. We think it would have been much better to have charges only for those peak times. 

The announcement also promises a review of the feasibility of a land train in Richmond Park, but people still have to come to the Park by car. We think that there should also be a review of ways of improving public transport to the Park, so that visitors would not have to come by car.   

The Friends of Bushy Park have proposed a toll on through traffic as an alternative to parking charges. We are currently reviewing this idea to understand its implications, and have asked our members for their views.

Steve kindly put some photos and a short video up onto his blog site and wondered if it might be worthy of a wider audience than his regular beer-geek buddies. Link here.