ISSUE 4 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2016 The Thames Path Partnership includes a diverse range of organisaƟons and individuals who have an interest in the Thames Path NaƟonal Trail. In this issue we’re introducing the Thames Estuary Partnership, taking an estuary walk and having a look at a new App which can photograph GIS informaƟon. Thames Estuary Partnership News for all who enjoy the Thames Path INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Thames Estuary 1 Partnership Thames Path 2 One of our key partners on the dal Thames through London is The Thames Overview Estuary Partnership (TEP). Overseen by Pat Fitzsimons, who is also the Deputy Chair of the Thames Path Partnership, TEP is a non‐campaigning organisaon Winter Walk 3 looking aer one of the world’s premier rivers, working towards a thriving, sustainable river for London and the South‐East. They connect people, ideas 4 Wildlife along and the Thames landscape to drive social, economic and environmental im‐ the Thames provement in the Thames Estuary. The only non‐campaigning organisaon looking aer one of the world’s iconic rivers, the Partnership provides a frame‐ New Mapping 6 work for sustainable management along the Thames Estuary. App TEP runs a programme of events highlighng current issues in the estuary. If Volunteer Task 8 you become a member of TEP you will receive discounted access to these events as well as receiving a London Thames Pass. The pass gives you discount‐ Diary ed rates to fascinang and more unusual aracons on or near the Thames. Volunteer 9 The London Pass includes ‐ Fuller’s Brewery Tasng Tour, the largest Family Training Event run brewery on the Banks of the Thames in Hammersmith through to exploring Revetment on 10 Tilbury Fort which has protected London’s seaward approach from the 16th the Thames century through to the Second World War. There are numerous interesng sites to see as you wind your way along the Thames Path through London. Thames Estuary 11 With a strong network of over 4000 stakeholders, including the Corporaon of Path London, University College London, the Environment Agency, The Port of Lon‐ End notes 12 don Authority, Natural England, Thames Water and Essex County Council, The Thames Estuary Partnership work to achieve a flourishing living and working follow @nhames river for London. For further informaon on the TEP visit: www.thamesestuarypartnership.org Thames Path Naonal Trail Office Signal Court, Old Staon Way, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TL Informaon: [email protected] T:01865 810224 Volunteers [email protected] T: 01865 810211 W www.naonaltrail.co.uk/thames‐path/ PAGE 2 Created for the public to enjoy the beauful landscape with its rich wildlife, flora and fauna, the 184mile long Thames Path Naonal Trail is unique. It is the only long distance path to fol‐ low a river for most of its length and it's the iconic River Thames which gives the Trail its char‐ acter and creates the countryside through which you walk. Starng in the Cotswolds as a track across water meadows and fields beside the infant River Thames, the Trail passes through vil‐ Trail Overview Trail lages in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, on surfaced pavements through historic cies …unl finally it passes through the capital, London, to the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. The Thames Path provides a walk alongside the ‘liquid history’ of a wonderful River. The Thames Path Partnership is responsible for the management, development and promo‐ on of The Thames Path Naonal Trail to ensure a great trail experience for all. It involves a wide range of organisaons and dedicated Trail volunteers help to maintain the route and keep it to a good standard for all who use it. Plan your day visit or holiday to The Thames Path using our interacve online map: www.naonaltrail.co.uk/thamespath. Why rush? Pace yourself to the meandering river ‐ if you like you can plan to walk the Trail a secon at a me (there are 15 secons ranging from 9‐15 miles, see map above)—and take days, weeks or even years to complete it! The Thames Path Companion guide lists details of campsites, B&Bs, hotels, self‐catering coages and inns around the area. Other useful contacts, such as taxis, hospitals, vets, are pro‐ vided as well as car park locaons. It costs £4.95 and is available from our online shop: www.shop.naonaltrail.co.uk Thames Path Naonal Trail Office Signal Court, Old Staon Way, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TL Informaon: [email protected] T:01865 810224 Volunteers [email protected] T: 01865 810211 W www.naonaltrail.co.uk/thames‐path/ ISSUE 4 A Winter Walk along the Thames PAGE 3 Walking the Trail the Walking Thames Path Naonal Trail Office Signal Court, Old Staon Way, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TL Informaon: [email protected] T:01865 810224 Volunteers [email protected] T: 01865 810211 W www.naonaltrail.co.uk/thames‐path/ Thames Path south bank (secƟon 4) route guide, reproduced by kind permission of Transport for London. © TfL. For further details of this walk, and more, please visit Thames Path ‐ Transport for London PAGE 4 Wildlife along Wildlife Dunlin Shoveler Shelduck CheepShot Charlesjsharp Charlesjsharp The amazing meandering River Thames is a very important water fea‐ ture. While the majority of the sites of parcular importance for birds are outside Greater London, the river, its tributaries and adjacent waters and wetlands within Greater London also provide important habitats. The diverse habitats alongside the river bring an abundance of birdlife , some of which use the river for migraon over the winter months. The ff Thames is parcularly important for migrang birds in severe winters and cold spells, because it provides an area of ice‐free water. Many birds Harlequin Duck live in climates where the temperature never drops too low (as in Brit‐ Weston DeWol Charleston County School of the Arts ain), so they don’t have to worry about surviving extreme cold. Some avoid the cold of winter by migrang to warmer climates ‐ i.e. the River Thames. They come to Britain through the winter to stock up on fat re‐ serves on our estuaries and mudflats before returning to their breeding grounds. The Thames Estuary has been in the top five internaonally important sites in the UK for the high number of waterbirds found there during winter or migraon. If you live nearby or you are travelling from afar to take a trip to the Thames for a winter walk along the River, it is worth having your binocu‐ lars to hand as you never know what rare birds you might spot on this tranquil river. Tued duck Some of the over wintering birds on the Thames include, Tued Duck, Charlesjsharp Dark‐bellied Brent goose, Avocet, Dunlin, European white‐fronted goose, Gadwall, Grey Plover, Knot, Redshank, Lile Grebe, Oyster catch‐ er, Pintail, Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Shoveler, and occasionally, Hen Har‐ rier. The Harlequin Duck, listed as endangered in Canada, is one of the many rare species currently overwintering on the Thames River. Main‐ taining and improving the health of the river is something we need to take seriously in order for such species to survive. The Tued duck is oen seen in winter on the Thames, numbers in‐ crease in the UK in winter because of birds moving to the UK from Ice‐ Buck Buck land and northern Europe. ff Avocets Je Avocet can migrate to the Thames Estuary and Marshes. Within the Thames Path Naonal Trail Office Signal Court, Old Staon Way, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TL Informaon: [email protected] T:01865 810224 Volunteers [email protected] T: 01865 810211 W www.naonaltrail.co.uk/thames‐path/ PAGE 5 the Thames Wildlife European white‐fronted goose Black‐tailed godwit Lile Grebe © Hans Hillewaert A Pingstone CheepShot Thames Estuary, Avocet are largely restricted to the lower marine reaches of the river. The mudflats at Higham Bight and Mucking Flats are parcularly important for this species and small numbers also breed amongst the saline lagoons at Cliffe. Avocets feed on insects, crustaceans and occasionally small fish. Black‐tailed godwits prefer muddy estuaries where they feed chiefly on interdal in‐ vertebrates, with food located by sight and touch. A wide range of invertebrates is taken, including molluscs, ragworms, crustaceans and earthworms. Dunlin feed principally in extensive muddy areas of estuaries on a wide range of inver‐ tebrate prey, including polychaete worms, gastropod snails, bivalves, crustaceans and occasionally small fish. They are the second most widespread wintering estuarine spe‐ cies in the UK, occurring throughout Britain and Ireland. The European white‐fronted goose winters in Britain in naonally important num‐ bers. It breeds in western Siberia and winters in Western Europe, with about half the populaon in Britain. It overwinters in naonally important numbers on the Thames White‐fronted geese forage on farmland for grass, clover, grain and winter wheat. Lile grebe chiefly overwinters on inland freshwater sites. The Shelduck’s diet includes a variety of invertebrates but predominantly the snail Hydrobia. Breeding Shelduck are widely distributed within the dal Thames where suitable habitat occurs. The Shoveler winters in Britain on shallow freshwater areas with plenful marginal reeds or emergent vegetaon. The Thames Estuary is an important area for this spe‐ cies with an average of 300 birds wintering annually. So as you walk along the Thames Path, even if you don’t see a rare breed you may well see a flash of blue from one of our residents…the fabulous Kingfisher. Thames Path Naonal Trail Office Signal Court, Old Staon Way, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TL Informaon: [email protected] T:01865 810224 Volunteers [email protected] T: 01865 810211 W www.naonaltrail.co.uk/thames‐path/ PAGE 6 Using an App ..