The Queens Green Canopy
Fencing has been erected (see the photo on the left) to enclose the area near Ham Cross designated for The Queens Green Canopy. The Friends has donated the funds required for the trees which will be planted next year.
Avian flu
Due to the current UK-wide outbreak of avian influenza, The Royal Parks has asked visitors to help limit the spread of the disease by:
❌ not feeding wildlife
❌ not handling sick or dead birds
✔️ keeping your dog on a lead near waterbodies
✔️ reporting any sick or dead birds in the Royal Parks to hq@royalparks.org.uk
There is more information here.
Update on avian influenza – The Royal Parks
The Friends Conservation volunteers at work near Holly Lodge
Four permanent fenced enclosures were created west of Holly Lodge in 1999; three contain gorse and one hawthorn. These were the idea of Piers Eley to provide nesting places for small migrant birds during the summer. They have been successful in attracting whitethroat and stonechats, which return each year to nest, as well as resident robins, blackbirds and thrushes. The enclosures are fenced to keep the deer at bay – as well as people and dogs. As Piers hoped, they have become mini nature reserves.
For the last five years, small teams of Friends conservation volunteers have annually coppiced a portion of each gorse enclosure to encourage new growth. This is necessary as the gorse becomes tall and straggly with new growth at the top and bare branches lower down.
This year a bigger group worked on coppicing and removing bramble which, although it can provide good cover for nesting birds, was swamping the gorse and preventing regrowth on the metre high stumps left after coppicing.
The Royal Parks asked if the cut gorse could be used to make a dead hedge on the northeast corner of Conduit Pond. After much dragging, we have indeed created an untidy dead hedge. The aim is to give frogs and grass snakes safer access to the pond and create a sheltered side for the ducks that like to use the pond. It may also provide shelter for nesting birds and small mammals. We wait to see!
Camping in the Park
The Metropolitan Police have reminded visitors that camping is not permitted in Richmond Park. These tents were found on 11 November in Richmond Park and the occupants were tourists. Any homeless people found camping by the Metropolitan Police are offered local support services.
The Tamsin Trail rated as a top ten scenic walk
Country Living magazine has listed The Tamsin Trail first in its ten most scenic walks in the UK. The magazine notes it is one of several walking routes available in Richmond Park and at just over seven miles long should take between three and four hours to complete, depending on your pace.
Join The Royal Parks Panel
The Royal Parks is looking to recruit thousands of people to join a panel to help it make decisions around the way it manages the royal parks.
Membership of the panel will involve around two online surveys a year, with each taking approximately ten to fifteen minutes to complete.
To learn more and to take part, click here.