Wildlife Circus

  Many participants on our afternoon stroll, had been on a morning litter pick, around the snowy, service roads on the Sunray Estate; they had a jolly good turn out despite the obvious weather - related- inclemencies. After meeting at the Court Farm Garden Centre Cafe (aka as CFGCC) we took the Old Kingston Road, overlooking  snow covered fields; and saw the kestrel, twice. I imagine however that the kestrel saw a lot more of us. There was a brief discussion on Mercy - we couldn't remember how to avoid straying snowballs, but fortunately our young assailant had a familial enemy in his sights. According to Wikipedia, 'Mercy' is a regular game and is more popular when played in the snow. Players must use the basic mercy stance: twisting fingers, pushing to the ground - whilst of course - avoiding snowballs. The person who says 'Mercy!' or gets floored loses the game. We used to say 'Uncle' but no doubt you will have your own version and the safe wo...

Manor park pond Last January I posted on Manor Park recreation ground, featuring the pond, which was then - full. I thought it would be interesting to return to see the condition of the site, particularly as the local Friends group had convened a well-attended task, planting 2,000 bluebells see https://www.environmenttrust.co.uk/blog/planting-bluebells Usually, I visit whenever I need courage to go to my dentist, which is just opposite the main entrance. The recreation ground is on old agricultural fields, according to tithe maps, and  has remnants of ancient hedgerows. Hence its designation as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. Although the pond was dry - hopefully it will fill up before spawning time - the woodland copse was looking splendid. Not a scrap of litter to be seen and dead hedging - or wind-rows - had been created from the arisings of  coppicing; these had been placed along the path. Unlike the ivy - dominated plantations, there ...

Meet Greg and Chris of Red Kites, engaged in this Poldarkian  haycut at Tolworth Court Farm Moated Manor.  The matrix is cut by tractor, whilst the delicate areas- around the  yellow meadow ant mounds- are carefully strimmed.  Raking and removing the hay is an essential part of the process of sequestering the nutrients before they can enrich the grassland. If the hay is left to rot down it will  fertilise and encourage rank grassland, nettles and hemlock which will outcompete next years delicate flowers. If anyone can lend us a cow, we can greatly assist in this process. Last week young people participating in a Duke of Edingborough Award Scheme -under the direction of the Environment Trust- extended the dead hedging, which will eventually secure the site enabling us to have grazing animals at the site. In addition to the two Homonids were seen: Two buzzards and a kestrel with a marsh harrier on passage spotted before my arrival; Reptile ...

  Remember us clearing the ground and getting the green gates installed at Tolworth Court moated manor site? Well yesterday, we had our first public open day, to show off the reserve's natural and heritage assets.     Around 100 people rolled up to listen to talks about wildlife and land management from me; archaeology from Julie Wileman; participate in a scything workshop  from Elliot Newton followed by some words of historical wisdom from the pages of Bob Phillip's new book entitled 'The Story of Tolworth' now available from many local outlets, including the nearby Court Farm Nursery. Yellow meadow ant mounds One of the features of the moated manor is the yellow meadow ant mounds - an artifact of traditional grazing management - as well as the subsequent Higher Level Stewardship annual hay cut regime, currently in operation along the Hogsmill Valley corridor and Tolworth Court Farm Fields. I am told that the ant-hills appear to have a high ratio of heig...