Main picture: Isabella Plantation March 2025
Photograph: Roger Hillyer
Join our Citizen Science Project – help identify wildlife in Richmond Park
An image from a camera put up by Friends volunteers – can you see the calf following the female fallow deer?
We are pleased to invite you to participate in our Citizen Science project to classify the 600,000 images captured by 150 cameras deployed in Richmond Park last April by 80 Friends’ volunteers.
The project is hosted on a software platform called “Zooniverse” and has been developed by ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and the Friends, who have funded the project and provided volunteers, as well as The Royal Parks. The project is part of a wider project by ZSL, called London Hogwatch, to monitor wildlife activity across the whole of London.
To take part, go to: Richmond Park Wildlife Survey – Friends of Richmond Park
Threat to the Parks Police – update
In recent issues of Park News, we have been reporting on the threat to disband the dedicated police unit in Richmond Park.
We are told that no final decision has been made. But it now appears almost certain that this will happen.
The Parks Police ensure people can enjoy Richmond Park safely while protecting the wildlife. We continue to campaign to maintain the small but highly effective team against the Met’s plans to cut them.
Our campaign recently featured on ITV London News; the report can be seen here:
The Parks Police ITV London News 26 March 2025
Butterflies
Photograph: Nigel Jackman
As the days get longer and, we hope, warmer we will see more of our butterflies emerge. Some such as Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock and Comma over-winter as adults and have already been tempted out on what warm sunny March days we’ve had, including this specimen nectaring on Edgeworthia in Isabella Plantation. Sightings should increase from now onwards and as the month progresses expect to see the Small, Large and Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and perhaps Green Hairstreak and Orange Tip if you are lucky.
The free minibus service has returned to Richmond Park
The Richmond Park Bus
The volunteer-run minibus service returned to Richmond Park on Monday 17 March 2025. It runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between all the Richmond Park car parks, Ladderstile Gate, Richmond Gate, Pembroke Lodge, and Isabella Plantation.
The minibus is free, with a ramp and steps to aid access. Wheelchair users wishing to use the service should contact volunteering@royalparks.org.uk.
The Richmond Park minibus map and timetables can be seen here: