Main picture: Richmond Park in December with the last supermoon of 2025
Photograph: Amanda Boardman
What will 2026 bring?
Eight of the sixteen swans on Upper Pen Ponds shortly before Christmas Photograph: Nigel Jackman
Mute Swans bred in the Park on Pen Ponds every year of this century from 2001 to 2021, but then failed to do so. A pair nested unsuccessfully last year, dashing any hopes, but perhaps this year will bring a change of fortune. As many as sixteen swans were present, mainly on Upper Pen Pond, in December and we hope that some will stay. If they do, expect any cygnets to be driven off and then to see territorial battles breaking out to leave no more than two adult pairs, at least one of which may rear a family for us all to enjoy in the Summer.
Thomas Durrant wins RSPCA Young Photographer Award
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“Everything came together – the stag, the light, the positioning. The golden outline shrouds the individual in mystery while maintaining their iconic outline.”
Congratulations to Thomas Durrant, age 17, who was the overall winner in the RSPCA Young Photographer awards, as well as winning the 16 – 18 years and portfolio categories.
Thomas has been sending in photographs for the Friends calendar since he was 13. His photograph of a hind in snow is the 2026 Calendar January main image and there are also two smaller images in February (fox) and July (great crested grebes).
RSPCA Young Photographer Awards Photo Competition – Young Photographer Awards – rspca.org.uk
The Royal Parks advice on witnessing a crime in the royal parks
Following the change in policing arrangements with the end of the dedicated parks police unit and responsibility being assumed by the local borough police, The Royal Parks have issued advice on reporting crime in the royal parks:
“The Royal Parks works closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that the parks are welcoming, safe spaces for everyone.
“If you do witness a crime, you should report it directly to the police so that all details are recorded as accurately as possible.
“Please call 999 if it is an emergency, for example if there is a risk that someone is in danger, if the crime is still happening, or if the suspect is still at the scene. If you’ve witnessed or been the victim of crime that isn’t an emergency, please report it to the police by calling 101 or report it online here: Report a crime | Metropolitan Police
“The Royal Parks follows an internal procedure for recording any crimes that occur in the parks to ensure that appropriate action can be taken by park management if required.”
Friends advice: The what3words app is very useful for identifying the exact location of an incident and we recommend downloading the app:
Download the free what3words app | what3words
Richmond Park Adopt-an-Area litter picking scheme
As a new year begins, the 200 strong Friends Adopt-an-Area volunteer litter pickers can look back with pride over another year in which their cumulative visits have helped to keep the Park clean. While perhaps somewhat unheralded, their role continues to be very important as many visitors to the Park remain incapable of putting all their litter in the bins provided or taking it home with them!
Our volunteers range from some who joined at Adopt-an-Area’s inception in 2017-18 to recent Duke of Edinburgh teenage volunteers roaming around the Park on weekend afternoons and finding enough litter to fill dustbin-sized bags. While there may currently be fewer daylight hours and lower footfall, we do have several areas without a dedicated litter picker and are therefore looking for new volunteers. If you are interested, please click here: Volunteering – Friends of Richmond Park
Visitor Centre:
From Monday 19 January 2026 to Thursday 26 February 2026 the Visitor Centre opening hours Monday to Thursday will be 11:30 – 14:30. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will remain as 09:45 – 15:00.