Your Committee Editorial

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Your Committee Editorial SOUTH EAST HERTS RSPB LOCAL GROUP E-NEWSLETTER Editor: Mike Oakland November 2018 No.83 SOUTH EAST HE after them, you then hoped they would return the Your Committee compliment by naming one after you. Bewick's swan gets its name from the 18th century Group Leader Stan Kitchiner engraver Thomas Bewick, who published the Treasurer & Outings Steve Kiln first popular book on Britain's birds in 1797. Secretary & Publicity Dorothy Blatcher Montagu's harrier, after ornithologist George Raffles Rosie Bell Montagu. Cetti’s warbler bears the name of Local Walks Italian zoologist, Francesco Cetti. And yes, & Newsletter Editor Mike Oakland Bonaparte’s gull is linked to the famous French 100 Club Organiser Lyn Horsley emperor! Named after Napoleon’s nephew, Membership Secretary Janet Whybrow Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who was a renowned Website Editor Andy Johnson ornithologist in the 1800s. With the colonisation of the New World came The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds the chance for naturalists to discover fauna and (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and flora new to science, which also meant coming Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC03765 up with monikers for these species. Consequently, the Americas has a large number of creatures named after naturalists and explorers: Audubon, Baird, Harris, Ross, Editorial Swainson et al. Also, Alexander Wilson (1766 - 1813). The Scottish immigrant who is widely You can't help noticing as you flick through your regarded as the father of American ornithology. field guide that a number of birds are named after That is not just a fanciful title - Wilson actually people: Bewick’s swan, Montagu's harrier, Cetti’s wrote and illustrated “American Ornithology”, a warbler, Bonaparte’s gull, Wilson's phalarope and nine volume work published in 1814 that so on. But who were all these people and how did illustrated 268 bird species and kindled they become immortalised in the world of America’s insatiable appetite for bird ornithology? knowledge. RSPB LOCAL GROUP As Europe emerged from the Middle Ages an E-NWSLETTER intellectual and scientific revolution began to evolve. Scholars such as Copernicus, Galileo and Isaac Newton were at the forefront of scientific discovery and theory, with developments in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology and chemistry transforming society's views about nature. Pioneering naturalists were also making exciting advances during this time, often resulting in the discovery of new species. The naming of these organisms required not only a scientific title - using Carl Linnaeus’s (1707- 1778) binomial nomenclature of classification - but also a ‘common’ label. This was an opportunity to flatter one's peers by naming some new warbler or thrush Although it is now rare for newly discovered species to be given a common name after well Latest News known naturalists, not so with the scientific Latin names. It is estimated that around 15,000 new Local Walk species are being discovered annually; 15,000 HMWT Tewinbury and the Mimram Valley organisms that for the purpose of international This was the first visit of S.E. Herts RSPB to identification need a scientific title. While the this delightful site. Set in the grounds of Tewin format for writing scientific names is standardised Bury Farm Hotel - a former 17th century and internationally accepted, within these farmhouse - the reserve sits alongside the lovely guidelines naturalists virtually have free reign to Mimram River, a tributary of the River Lee. name organisms how they want, with scientists - 13 members met in the large HMWT car park on like their predecessors - often choosing to honour a cloudy but dry Sunday morning. A scouting key figures in the world of natural history. Sir party, consisting of two able volunteers, had David Attenborough’s name has been bestowed on been sent into the nearby hide to reconnoiter the several creatures including an extinct marsupial reserve, while the leader awaited the arrival of lion - Microleo attenboroughi - and a spiny the rest of the group. From the car park the anteater - Zaglossus attenboroughi - as well as gathering members saw kestrel, little egret and spiders, plants, trees and insects. In 2008 a new an ensemble of small birds high up in an alder species of tree frog - Hyloscirtus princecharlesi - tree, these consisted of blue tits, goldfinches and was discovered in Ecuador and named after our best of all, a good number of siskins. On future king in recognition of the Prince’s charity entering the hide we were greeted with the work to protect its rainforest habitat. But with so dreaded declaration “you should have been here many new organisms being discovered, scientists earlier!”, as the two dedicated volunteers (often with tongues firmly in cheeks) are naming pointed to the stick that had briefly been creatures after presidents, actors, singers, sports occupied by a kingfisher only a short while stars etc. A new species of moth discovered in before. After several minutes - and no kingfisher Southern California now bears the title, Neopalpa - we left the hide and walked to the river to donaldtrumpi, due to its yellowish-white head begin the leisurely amble along the paths and scales evocative of the President's hair. The tracks that follow the waterway. A small flock muscular actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a of skylarks were picked out enroute and a green beetle - Agra schwarzeneggeri - named after him woodpecker on a post, with a second bird further "in reference to the markedly developed along the fence. Behind us a nuthatch was (biceps-like) middle femora of the males of this calling and a great spotted woodpecker sat at the species reminiscent of the actor's physique”. And, top of a tree. Further along the trail two red kites inspired by the black exoskeleton and ‘broad, flew over, with one settling at the top of a large shiny, helmet like head’ entomologists have given tree allowing good views through our a recently discovered slime-mould beetle the telescopes. The route then followed the path up epithet, Agathidium vaderi - the Darth Vader the side of the valley reaching the Jacobean, beetle - after the villain from the “Star Wars” Marden Hill House, at the top. This Grade II films. listed country mansion has been partially demolished, redesigned and rebuilt by various owners since the middle of the 17th century but has recently been converted to apartments. The walk next took us along the public footpath final count of 41 cranes. A sure sign that this following the ridge of the hill and between an species is on in the increase in Norfolk and avenue of old lime trees, eventually dropping thank you Barrie. down through the woodland before emerging on the outskirts of Tewin Village. We crossed the field, aiming for the spire of St. Peter's Church in the distance. For the final leg of the walk we passed through the churchyard, across a field and back to the hotel grounds and car park. However, several members decided to have a ‘second bite of the cherry’ and revisited the hide. A little grebe seemed to be the reserve's only visible occupant until a kingfisher shot through and out of sight; you either saw it or you didn't. Everyone agreed it was a pleasant stroll around a new site for the Group. For the full report see our website. Common Cranes We then headed to Burwell Fen, which backs on to the National Trust’s Wicken Fen reserve, and found hardly anywhere to park due to the very Outdoor Field Trip high number of birdwatchers and photographers WWT Welney and Burwell Fen already in place. Once we had reached the high The group visited the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust point with an orange sun rapidly sinking into the reserve at Welney as the planned trip to the RSPB west we were treated to a fantastic flying display reserve across the washes had to be re-arranged by two short eared owls often coming to within due to maintenance work being undertaken by the 75-100 metres of where we were standing. Environment Agency. 11 members led by Stan For the full report see our website. Kitchiner still enjoyed a good day’s birdwatching on a bright sunny day, firstly at Welney and then at Burwell Fen. On arrival at Welney we checked into the visitor Indoor Group Meeting centre and viewed several flocks of sparrows Rolf Williams presented his talk ‘Space for coming to the feeders. There were many tree Nature’, describing his love of art and his sparrows mixed in with the house sparrows. A involvement in the satellite tagging and Cetti’s warbler was spotted from the viewing monitoring of various creatures across the balcony and our first Bewick's and whooper swans planet. flew overhead. Once across the road bridge and Rolf mentioned that he was interested in into the hides we saw two flocks of sleeping drawing from an early age, regularly adding his black-tailed godwits numbering at least 500 with own illustrations to his notebooks. Living near several still showing their bright orange summer the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, its wildlife and the plumage. A great white egret was also present but marinescape inspired his life in art and science. flew off shortly after we arrived. We were shown pictures of his early notebooks There were many ducks of the regularly seen depicting life in the region, which included species and 4 species of geese to be seen along drawings of lifeboats and the local fishing boats with 40 mainly whooper swans. There seemed to as well as the fauna and flora that he came be a competition going on between the swans and across.
Recommended publications
  • Green Space Strategy 2011 - 2016
    Green Space Strategy 2011 - 2016 January 2011 Green Space Strategy 2011 - 2016 GreenGreen Space Space Strategy Strategy 2011 2011 - 2016 - 2016 Our Vision In Dacorum, we aspire to protect and enhance our natural environment, heritage and habitats. With the involvement of the community, we will create attractive, sustainable, accessible and well-managed green spaces. Foreword Dacorum benefits from a tremendous resource of high quality parks and recreation areas, set within some of the most remarkable landscapes in the country. Our fantastic green spaces are one of the main reasons people choose to live, work, and visit here. This strategy sets out our commitment to manage and protect this legacy, to ensure it remains intact for current and future generations. The quality of some of Dacorum’s green spaces has deteriorated over time through the ageing of facilities and infrastructure, and new investment is required. This strategy gives us the impetus and tools to improve their quality and to help deliver what local communities want from their neighbourhoods. We will improve facilities, and encourage residents to become more involved in managing their local green spaces. We aim to balance the needs of the community with the demands on our service, working wherever possible to combat climate change and alleviate the pressures of the modern age. We have a number of challenges to face in the future, not least in providing enough homes for the community. This strategy provides a strong framework to help manage, refresh, and create new green spaces.
    [Show full text]
  • HERTFORDSHIRE and MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
    HERTFORDSHIRE AND MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) Company Registration Number 816710 Charity Number 239863 TREASURERS’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 CONTENTS Page number Legal and administrative information 2 Introduction from the Chairman 3 Trustees’ Report, consisting of the following: Structure, governance and management 4 Trust vision, objectives and strategic plans 7 Review of year ended 31 March 2020 8 Headline actions for year ending 31 March 2021 16 Financial review and results for the year 18 Trustees’ responsibilities and approval 23 Independent auditor’s report 24 Statement of financial activities 27 Balance sheet 28 Cash flow statement 29 Notes to the financial statements 30 1 Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements F20 HERTFORDSHIRE AND MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Honorary President Sir Simon Bowes-Lyon, KCVO Honorary Vice President Robert Wilson Council of Management (Trustees) Olivia Bertham Andy Brown (retired at AGM September 2019) Dr Veronica Edmonds-Brown (Vice Chairman) Keith Cotton Peter Delaloye (retired at AGM September 2019) Clive Hinds (Treasurer) Jackie Hunter (appointed at AGM September 2019) Amy Jankiewicz (appointed at AGM September 2019) Paul Knutson Sarah Kohl Michael Master (Chairman) Andrew Woods Chairman, Finance & Resources Committee Clive Hinds Chairman, Conservation, Community Dr Veronica Edmonds-Brown & Education Committee Chairman, Health & Safety Committee
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 16 Bittern 16.1-16.6
    A Biodiversity Action Plan for Hertfordshire < Return to contents page for wintering Bitterns and has the potential to make a significant contribution to their conservation. It regularly supports three or four Bitterns throughout the winter and it could with appropriate management support breeding Bitterns. 16.2 Current status The total European population of Bitterns was estimated to be 2500-2700 pairs in 1976. There was a 30-50% decline after the 1978/79 winter. Bittern 16 Bittern numbers appear to be declining in 17 countries, stable species action plan or fluctuating in nine, and increasing in only three. In the UK the Bittern is a declining, localised and rare breeding species. Breeding pairs are confined almost 16.1 Introduction entirely to lowland marshes in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lancashire. In 1994 there were only 15 or 16 booming Bitterns Botaurus stellaris are secretive birds which are males. Numbers are boosted in winter by continental confined almost entirely to lowland marshes dominated immigrants when between 30 and 100 birds are by Common Reed. They feed predominantly on fish recorded each year. (notably eels) but they also take a wide variety of other foods such as amphibians, insects, small birds and Records published in the annual London Bird Report mammals. The males advertise their territories by a and Birds of the Lee Valley show that until the late characteristic deep booming noise which allows the 1960s the Bittern was an irregular visitor to the Lee breeding population to be well known. Valley. During the 1970s between one and two birds wintered in the Lee Valley below Ware, with the same Up to the 17th century bitterns were widespread pattern during the 1980s.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Nature Conservation Study
    DACORUM BOROUGH COUNCIL URBAN NATURE CONSERVATION STUDY Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre March 2006 DACORUM BOROUGH COUNCIL URBAN NATURE CONSERVATION STUDY Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre March 2006 SUMMARY Purpose of study The environment is one of the four main drivers of sustainable development, and in this context biodiversity needs to be fully integrated into planning policy and delivery. As part of the new planning system known as the Local Development Framework, information on urban wildlife is fundamental given the pressure on land resources in and around our towns. The aims of the study are: ‘To provide a well reasoned and coherent strategy for the protection and enhancement of key wildlife areas and network of spaces / natural corridors within the towns and large villages of Dacorum’. The Dacorum Urban Nature Conservation Study considers the wildlife resources within the six major settlements in Dacorum, namely Berkhamsted, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, Markyate and Tring. They were mapped using existing habitat information, additional sites identified from aerial photo interpretation and local knowledge. The areas adjacent to each settlement – up to a distance of 1km – were also mapped in a similar fashion to place the urban areas within the context of their surrounding environments. This process identified the most important sites already known such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, local sites meeting minimum standards known as ‘Wildlife Sites’, and other sites or features of more local significance within the urban areas known collectively as ‘Wildspace’. These incorporated Hertfordshire Biological Record Centre’s ‘Ecology Sites’ where appropriate, old boundary features such as hedgerows and tree lines, as well as significant garden areas or open spaces which may survive.
    [Show full text]
  • Statutory Contaminated Land Strategy
    Aylesbury Vale District Council : Contaminated Land Strategy : July 2001 Aylesbury Vale District Council Statutory Contaminated Land Strategy Required under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 78B Rachel Christie Head of Environmental Health Services PO Box 459 Aylesbury HP20 1YW Fax (01296) 585674 DX 4130 Aylesbury www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk Visitors please call at 66 High Street Aylesbury 1 Aylesbury Vale District Council : Contaminated Land Strategy : July 2001 Contents Page Introduction & Overview i.1 Background to the legislation 4 i.2 Explanation of terms 5 i.3 National objectives of the new regime 6 i.4 Local objectives 7 i.5 About this strategy 8 i.6 Roles and responsibilities 9 i.7 Outline of the statutory procedure 9 i.8 Situations where this regime does not apply 11 i.9 Land under the ownership of the enforcing authority 13 i.10 The need for team working 13 i.11 Financial and manpower implications 14 The Strategy Part 1 - Description of the Aylesbury Vale Council area and how its 15 particular characteristics impact on the inspection strategy Part 2 - Identification of potentially contaminated sites and their 23 prioritisation according to risk Part 3 - Obtaining further information on pollutant linkages and 27 the risk assessment process Part 4 - The written record of determination and formal notification 31 Part 5 - Liability and enforcement 33 Part 6 - Data handling and access to information 36 Part 7 - Quality control, performance indicators and arrangements 38 for review Part 8 - Projected costs
    [Show full text]
  • Chilterns Water Bodies
    Conserving and enhancing natural beauty - Water environment Chilterns water bodies BARTON-LE-CLAY Hexton Lilley HITCHIN DUNSTABLE Rivers/Streams LUTON Lakes/Reservoirs College Lake Whipsnade VVerer AYLESBURY GrandGran Uniond Unio Canaln Canal Markyate HARPENDEN Aldbury Tring Reservoirs TRING Wendover GadeGade Arm Gaddesden Weston Turville Reservoir HEMEL HEMPSTEAD WENDOVER BERKHAMSTED BulbourneBulbourne PRINCES CHESHAM RISBOROUGH Shardeloes Lake CHINNOR Latimer Lakes PRESTWOOD West Wycombe Park Lake HughendenHughenden CChesshess CColneolne STOKENCHURCH SStreamtream AMERSHAM WATLINGTON MisbourneMisbourne RiverRiver TThameshames CHORLEYWOOD HIGH BENSON WYCOMBE BEACONSFIELD EEwelmewelme BBrookrook HHambleamble WALLINGFORD BBrookrook WWyeye MARLOW N RRiveriver TThameshames HENLEY-ON-THAMES GORING 0 5 10 Kilometres 0 6 Miles READING c Crown copyright and database rights [2014] Ordnance Survey Licence no. 100044050 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2014 - 2019 Page 50 Conserving and enhancing natural beauty - Water environment Water environment Introduction River Chess at Latimer (Allen Beechey) 1. As a consequence of its geology, the 4. The major river of the Chilterns is the Chilterns is a relatively dry landscape, River Thames, which cuts through the with wetland habitats sparsely chalk escarpment forming a long and distributed throughout the AONB. sinuous boundary between the North However, water has played an important Wessex Downs and Chilterns AONBs. It is role in the formation of the Chilterns and also the boundary between counties and
    [Show full text]
  • South East Hertfordshire | Oxfordshire | Buckinghamshire | Berkshire Discover Little Adventures on Your Doorstep
    South East Hertfordshire | Oxfordshire | Buckinghamshire | Berkshire Discover little adventures on your doorstep Walk along the towpath and spot different types of boats Count how many water birds you can spot and name in five minutes Relax in a canalside café and watch narrowboats passing by Take a boat trip and learn more about the Oxford Canal Take a picnic and feed the ducks healthy snacks See the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle Take a fishing net and go canal dipping Cycle down the towpath and take a break at a waterside pub Watch the boats passing through the locks Check out the awesome Iron Trunk Aqueduct Banbury, Thrupp, Oxford, Cosgrove & Wolverton, Aylesbury, Tring, Western Turville Reservoir, Berkhamsted, Apsley, Cassiobury Park, Watford, Hungerford Wharf, Kintbury, Newbury, Aldermaston Wharf, Garston Lock, Reading Are you looking for inspiring places to visit with the family? Then look no further than your local canal or river. This guide features a selection of our best waterside places to visit in London – whatever the weather! Each location includes a map, suggestions of fun-packed activities you can do and useful information on where to park, places to eat, toilets and boat trips. Have a look on our map 1. Banbury and find a little 2. Thrupp adventure on 3. Oxford your doorstep! 4. Cosgrove & Wolverton 5. Tring 6. Western Turville Reservoir 7. Berkhamsted 8. Apsley 9. Cassiobury Park, Watford 10. Hungerford Wharf 11. Kintbury 12. Newbury 13. Aldermaston Wharf 14. Garston Lock 15. Reading *AINA Waterways * This map shows waterways managed by members of the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA).
    [Show full text]
  • River Thame Wq Catchment Review March 1996
    ZGI National Rivers Authority Thames Region Catchment Planning - West River Thame wQ Catchment Review March 1996 Document for internal circulation only CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT 2.1 Overview 3 2.2 Geology 3 2.3 Hydrogeology 5 2.4 Water Resources 5 2.5 Water Quality 11 2.6 Effluent Disposal 15 2.7 Pollution Control 16 2.8 Groundwater Quality 17 2.9 Biological Water Quality 18 2.10 Flood Defence 20 2.11 Fisheries 24 2.12 Conservation 25 2.13 Landscape 29 2.14 Recreation 31 2! 15 Navigation -- 32 2.16 Land Use Planning 32 3. CATCHMENT ISSUES 39 4. CATCHMENT ACTIONS 42 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 45 APPENDICES 1. Table of River Quality GQA and RE 46 2. Consented discharges with sample points 47 3. Summary of macro-invertebrate monitoring results 49 4. Flood Defence - Land Use Bands and SOS reaches 53 5. Flood Defence - Standard of Service Reaches 54 Glossary 56 LIST OF FIGURES Page 1. Rainfall for Thame catchment 7 2. Percolation for Thame catchment 8 3. Hydrograph of River Thame at Wheatley 9 4. Licensed and Actual Abstraction for 1993 11 5. GQA Classification 12 6. River Ecosystem Classification 14 7. Pollution Incident Data 1995 16 8. Prosecutions for Pollution Offences 17 9. EC Fish Directives 24 10. SSSIs within the Thame catchment 27 LIST OF MAPS 1. Overview 2 2. Geology 4 3. Water Resources 10 4. Water Quality 13 5. Biological Water Quality and Bacteriology 19 6. Flood Plain 22 7. Fisheries and Conservation 26 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Matters
    Summer 2018 NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL WILDLIFE TRUST AND FROM AROUND THE UK Dragons and Damsels Hertfordshire and Middlesex’s most colourful residents 8 >> WILD >> AMWELL ABOUT WORMS NATURE RESERVE Find out why these Get to know Hertfordshire’s wriggly creatures are so best nature reserve for important 13 dragonflies 18 PROTECTING WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE Summer 2018 contents NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL WILDLIFE TRUST AND FROM AROUND THE UK CONSERVATION 5 New species alert Find out what exciting new species have been found across Hertfordshire. 4 Wild Trax Read how we’re inspiring the next generation of wildlife lovers with our partnership project. 6 Nature Recovery Network See The Wildlife Trust’s plans to make our future wilder. Dragons and Damsels ROSS HODDINOTT ROSS 10 My Wild Life Find out more about these Find out about local macro amazing insects! photographer, Gail Ashton’s, 500species2018 project. More on 8 18 Amwell Nature Reserve 20 Nature’s Calendar 22 The Nature of Soil Discover this nature reserve that The Trust’s Tim Hill shares his See what lives in our soil. supports internationally important wildlife highlights for the next Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July numbers of wintering birds. few months. 10:00am-4:00pm Panshanger Park HERTS & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST Join us for a FREE family festival at the beautiful Panshanger Park Grebe House, St Michael’s Street, Autumn 2018 issue Registered Charity No: 239863 for a weekend of walks, talks and conservation activities to St Albans, Herts AL3 4SN copy deadline: Registered in England: 816710 01727 858 901 [email protected] celebrate the wildlife of Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
    [Show full text]
  • Marsworth Flight and Wendover Woods
    1 Marsworth Flight and Wendover Woods Tring station - Bulbourne - Marsworth Flight - Bucklandwharf - Aston Hill - Wendover station Length: 9 ¾ miles (15.8km) Useful websites: The route follows part of the Grand Union Canal Walk and the Underfoot: You may encounter a few brief towpath of the Wendover Arm canal. muddy patches on canal towpaths and in Later, the walk climbs into the the final descent through Wendover popular Wendover Woods. Woods, but this is a walk almost entirely on good paths and tracks and minor roads. Getting home: Chiltern runs two trains per hour from Wendover to London Terrain: One steady climb and descent Marylebone, Monday-Saturdays, taking either side of Wendover Woods, but 52mins, via Harrow-on-the-Hill otherwise very easy walking. (36mins) for Metropolitan line connections. Trains run hourly on Sundays, Maps: 1:50,000 Landranger 165 Aylesbury though from late afternoons there is a & Leighton Buzzard; 1:25,000 Explorer 181 second train each hour to Amersham Chiltern Hills North. (15mins), from where Metropolitan line services connect for central London. Getting there: Tring is served by 3 London Midland trains per hour (2 per hour on Fares: Unfortunately, there is no Sundays) from London Euston (37-42 alternative to purchasing two single mins), via Watford Junction (16-20 tickets for these journeys, as Tring and mins) for London Overground connections. Wendover are on Monday-Saturday, there is 1 Southern completely separate lines. An off-peak service per hour from East Croydon (73 single from London to Tring is £14.00 mins), via West Brompton (50 mins) for (£7.00 child, £9.25 railcard), and from District Line and Clapham Junction (60 Wendover to London is £10.30 (£5.15 mins) for London Overground.
    [Show full text]
  • Little Tring
    In 1904 the Wendover Arm was finally closed. It Tringford is currently only navigable as far as Little Tring. However, the road bridge has been rebuilt and Tring Tringford pumping station was built in 1818 the leaky sections of the canal are progressively and worked in tandem with other stations at being lined in concrete, and re-watered. The Whitehouses and Marsworth until these two future of the Wendover Arm looks much more were closed in 1836 and 1917 respectively. promising. It is possible to walk the entire length Parish When Whitehouses, situated above Wilstone of the Arm following the towpath. From Little Tring reservoir, was shut down, an underground culvert Bridge follow the path down past Wilstone reservoir was constructed to connect with the Tringford (on the right) and on to Drayton Beauchamp. Walks station. To this day, all the Tring reservoirs are It is well worth an afternoon’s stroll to the Arm’s inter-connected by culverts and water can be source in the market town of Wendover. pumped from one area to another. For over a hundred years water from the reservoirs was Please follow the Country Code. Little Tring lifted using a steam engine. In 1927 diesel pumps • Leave gates in the position you find them were installed; these have now been replaced • Leave only your own footprints with electric pumps. Also in 1927, the building • Take away your litter was lengthened and remodelled as a much • Keep dogs under control lower structure, using round-headed windows 1 brought from a redundant engine house at Do wear sensible clothing for your own comfort.
    [Show full text]
  • 5 Wetlands Habitat Action Plan
    A Biodiversity Action Plan for Hertfordshire < Return to contents page 5 Wetlands habitat action plan 5.1 Wetland habitats 5.1.1 Summary channel but also for the influence they exert, from spring source to floodplain, on the plants and animals The term ‘wetland’ covers a diverse range of of adjacent habitats. Unconstrained rivers spill onto habitats. Within Hertfordshire alone this includes floodplains and inundate habitats on a regular basis, rivers, streams, springs, water-cress beds, ponds, allowing the development of wet grassland, marsh, lakes, reservoirs, sewage works, marshes, fens, swamp, fen and carr woodland. These natural swamps, wet grassland and carr woodland. These functions of river systems bring huge benefits to wetlands are hugely important for both wildlife human society. and people. Many of the wetlands of Hertfordshire, especially open waters, have been created by human However, few rivers have not been physically altered activity. In fact, all wetlands within the county have by human activities. Engineering works with the aim of been influenced by human activities to some degree. reducing problem flooding or improving land drainage In many cases this is due to the range of benefits they can also have serious adverse environmental effects, have provided. Over the centuries wetlands have leading to degradation both of the main channel and supplied food, drinking water, power, transport and adjacent habitats. Such works tend to hydrologically leisure opportunities as well as their natural purifying isolate the river from its floodplain habitats. Rivers and flow regulating functions. relatively unaffected by these activities are a particularly valuable wildlife resource. All wetlands are characterised by the presence of water; static or flowing.
    [Show full text]