November Work Day Update

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A very muddy and wet day for the 'Friends' on Sunday 8th November. Not because the weather was wet but because we spent the day pulling out unwanted reeds from the Damselfly Pond. The pond was getting very choked up since we last cleared it almost 2 years ago. As this pond contains Great Crested Newts, which are a protected species, we obtained permission from Havering Council before carrying out this task. Although we achieved a lot we will still have to have another go as we only had 2 pairs of waders so most of us worked either from the bank or in shallow water only.

Mellow Mists and Autumn Fruitfullness - Sunday 18th October

Essex Wildlife Trust held an Wild Autumn Event on Sunday 18th October with various 'stalls', bottles of apple juice, apples, pears, and pumpkins on sale.

Carol and Lois 'manned' a couple of tables, one with 'bric a brac' and home made cakes (courtesy of Carol) and the other with an Autumnal theme, including various 'fruits' from the park as part of a quiz.

In total over £55 was raised for the 'Friends'.

Many thanks to Carol and Lois for organising, baking, and manning the tables.

October Work Day - Update

Sunday 11th - in the morning we split into two groups - one did a litter pick between the visitors' centre and the 'cow pond'. The second group removed some common reed (phragmites australis) from a local pond and planted them in the south eastern corner of the 'cow pond'. These reeds will grow and spread and provide an additional wildlife habitat, in partcular for nesting warblers. These reeds were moved after consultation with a local botanist and LBH.

On the way to collect the reeds, 3 sacks of rubbish was collected from a 'camp site' on foxes hill. This rubbish was mainly made up of beer cans, wine bottles, AA batteries and exploded aerosol cans! Bonfires had also been lit.

We all met up at the cow pond and continued litter picking on our way back to the visitors' centre.

After a late lunch went on a walk around the wildflower meadow and valley marsh. These areas were pretty much litter free.

AGM

Our AGM is in the town hall on Thursday 22nd October @ 7.30 pm. As this is our AGM please try to attend, thanks.

October Work Day

Yes it's that time again - sunday 11th October is the date of our October work day. Look forward to seeing you there. Let's hope the rain stops by then !

Meeting at the Town Hall

Our next committee meeting is on thursday 24th September at 7.30 pm in the Town Hall. All are welcome.

Parrots in the park ?

After we'd finished for the day we spotted a total of 6 'ring necked parakeets' feeding on beech mast in one of the beech trees next to the deer compound. They were feeding for about half an hour before they all flew off together southwards. Unfortunately they were too high up to get a decent clear photo of.