Wildlife in Bedfords Park 2014

Following  info on wildlife spotted in the park so far this year:

Birds recorded in the park so far this year are listed below. Still a few common species lacking which I have normally seen by mid-January (eg Meadow Pipit, Tufted Duck). If the weather improves (less rain) I will try some dusk visits for owls, Mandarin Duck and Woodcock; also some early morning visits. The Peregrine Falcon was reported on the SE Essex RSPB site on 14th by two visiting birders - seen over Larch Wood. I still need this species for my BP list. I have seen Peregrines over Gidea Park on two occasions which is not far away and there is at least one previous park record; all presumably wanderers from Romford Town Centre.

The 2 Firecrests continue the regular occurrence of the species for the site (fifth consecutive winter since 2009). 

Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Pheasant
Cormorant
Little Egret  (01/01/14)
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Moorhen
Coot
Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull  )
Herring Gull                       } flyovers
Great Black-backed Gull   )
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker

Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Song Thrush
Redwing  (150 on 15th)
Mistle Thrush
Firecrest (2)
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch


Hi all.

A few butterflies have already been seen this mild February at a number of sites particularly from the 16th. I finally caught up with my first in 2014 in the park yesterday.

2 Peacock

2 Small Tortoiseshell  (also 2 seen by a n other including 1 probably same individual as 1 of mine)

1 Comma

I also disturbed a basking Grass Snake which slithered off before I could take a photo, the earliest I have seen here out of hibernation.

With the mild weather it remains very quiet for birds wintering in the park but many are singing. The plant growth is so in advance of last years very late spring. Prunus cerasifera is out in full flower but I could not find any nectaring butterflies on it - a few bees.

February 9th 2014 Work Day

This work day, just for a change' we decided to continue mulching the areas near to the visitors' center and, at last, we've used up all the mulch! We also carried out our usual litter pick. The litter we collected this time included a TV which was dumped in the visitors' center car park, a printer, a bag of plastic toys and a box of drinking glasses. These were all dumped by the recyclable bins in the main car park. Why ??? The glasses fitted in the glass container anyway so we did what someone else couldn't be bothered to do. Some of the toys were taken to a local charity shop. The Council (that's you and me) will have the expense of disposing of the tv and printer. The rest of the rubbish was the usual sweet wrappers, plastic drinks bottles, plastic bags, drinks cans etc etc. Most of this could have been taken home, or at least put in the bins provided. Never mind, we really look forward to picking up other peoples rubbish every month.

December 2013 and January 2014 work days

December 15th 2013 was a combined work day and cake sale. Essex Wildlife Trust held their Christmas Event and we had a table selling home made cakes. We made a reasonable profit although it would have been higher if the weather had been better. This money will go towards our insurance costs. Although we are a voluntary group we have to take out and pay for our own insurance. The rest of us continued weeding and mulching in the areas planted with native shrubs and trees earlier in the year close to the visitors, centre. We did as much as possible until we were rained off. The pile of mulch doesn't seem to be getting any smaller!

Several hundred  bulbs have been planted each side of the track leading up to the Walled Garden which should provide a nice splash of colour later in the spring. Will also provide some much needed nectar for the insects. These were planted by the SEETEC guys who have been working with Havering Council for some months now both within the park and in the Walled Garden.

Our January work day was on  the 12th. Again we continued weeding and mulching. The pile of mulch still doesn't seem to be getting any smaller ! Also some pruning was carried out on the lime trees along the track that leads up to the walled garden. The 'epicormic' growth on the trunks and around the base of these trees hadn't been cut back for many years and was beginning to encroach on the track. In the afternoon we cleared away a couple of large branches that had fallen over the ditch and across the main drive that leads down towards Lower Bedfords Road. We continued south and around the main lake litter picking. The lake was, unsurprisingly, quite high due to all the rain we've been having.

Sunday 10th November work day

This, very sunny, Sunday we worked with worked with 'Froglife' to build 'Hibernacula' for reptiles wintering within the park. We built 2 in sunny, south facing, spots. These are basically piles of logs covered with vegetation that will provide a place for reptiles such as snakes and lizards, and amphibians that do not hibernate in water, such as newts and toads to over winter safely. These areas will also warm up quickly in the sun to enable snakes to bask and raise their temperature quickly.

A grass snake was spotted nearby while we were working so should be a good spot.

Also spotted in the park, or more accurately, over the park was a Red Kite, one Sparrowhawk, one Kestrel and 4 Common Buzzards. The Buzzards are regularly seen over the park. Also Common Darter Dragonflies were still on the wing.

                                                                      Red Kite

                                                     Common Darter Dragonfly

'Apple Day' Sunday 20th October 2013

Essex Wildlife Trust had their annual Apple Day today. There were apples for sale and you could taste and try before you buy! Also apple juice on sale. The apples and juice were supplied by Lathcoats Farm ( www.eapples.co.uk )  in Galleywood, Chelmsford.

The Walled Kitchen Garden was also open and fresh produce was on sale. Produce will also be on sale on Thursdays from around 10 am.

We had a visit from a group from the  Havering Museum who arrived in style - in a 1960's Routemaster Bus, complete with ticket collector! They had included Bedfords Park in a tour of the Borough and visited the Deer Enclosure, the Visitors' Center and the Walled Garden. Apart from the heavy rain, which delayed their departure, they appeared to have a good time.

Work day Sunday 13th October 2013

Unfortunately due to the very wet weather this work day was cancelled

Latest in the Walled Garden

Saturday 21st September was a great success. Lots of 'new' visitors to the garden. BBQ'd sweetcorn were really tasty. Was great to see so many people enjoying just walking around and looking at what's been achieved in a relatively short time. The garden was only accessible for planting in April this year. We had several stalls, one from Stewart Avenue Allotments in Upminster selling their wonderful jams, chutneys, soups and crumbles. There were teas and cakes and soup on sale. All proceeds were either for The Walled Garden Project or The Friends of Bedfords Park. Also our 'resident' beekeeper was present explaining about the bees and he also had several types of honey  for tasting. Several members of the Walled Garden 'team' were available to answer questions. We also had a group from the 'Challenge Network' giving away free seeds and going taste tests!

All in all a good day.

This week has seen several hundred school children in the park. A collaboration between Havering Council, Essex Wildlife Trust, Clear Village (walled garden) and the Friends of Bedfords Park has seen Heavy Horse log pulling demonstration and talks, petting zoo with various animals, talk with E.W.T and a tour and talk around the Walled Garden. Again a great success.