Trust in the Forest

January 2009 Issue 7 Welcome to the Spring Issue of Trust in the In this edition: Forest • Free things to do in Happy New Year to you all! At this time of future, as part of this you will find attached • Making a Difference the year we are busily tying up 2008 and a membership questionnaire which we ask • Feeding Birds in your planning for 2009. 2008 was an excellent you to complete and return to us. This will Garden • year for the Trust not only were we working help us to ensure that membership Weird and Wonderful • with some great and enthusiastic groups, continues to benefit our members and the Ash’s Nature Notes • Early Land use and Laws in increasing awareness of the Forest and Trust. Epping Forest helping to conserve areas of the Forest, we • Dates for your diary- Sept also celebrated 30 years of Epping Forest 2009 looks like being a year of new to March Centenary Trust. challenges and exciting new As we move into 2009 we are looking to projects. develop new plans and projects for the

Membership Renewal

Yes its that time of year again and we hope you will continue to support the work of the Trust into 2009. Please complete and return the enclosed Associ- ate Membership Form, along with the Membership Survey. Your continued support is much appreciated. Forest Hands Event - Saturday 17th Jan 10.30—2.00pm

Volunteers needed to help us with the challenge us on 0208 508 9061 or email us at of improving the habitats at Warren Hill. Join us [email protected] . for a day of practical conservation work, a great chance to get the new year’s resolutions off to a good start or at least to burn off some of the Christmas excesses! We will be working on Warren Hill clearing invasive Sycamore trees. As usual we will provide a barbeque lunch, all the tools and equipment as well as guidance and instruction. There will also be a short afternoon craft activity for children. The activity is open to all ages and abilities and we welcome new volunteers. If you are interested in coming along or would like further information please contact Trust in the Forest Page 1 Free things to enjoy in Epping Forest

With all the talk of the ‘Credit Crunch’ I think it may be a  Plain, the long grass and scrub provide time when the value of Epping Forest really comes to the opportunity to see Kestrels, Jays and Green fore. As a place for recreation, relaxation and getting Woodpeckers. back to nature; Epping Forest is a fantastic resource. Historical Sites With this is mind I have put together some ideas for The history of the Forest can be brought to life by getting out and about in the Forest on a shoestring. visiting some of the following sites: Armed with a map of the Forest there are a wealth of free opportunities.  Camp, Iron Age hill fort, the earthworks are quite distinct and with a bit of Walks imagination you can get a feel for life in the Maybe the most obvious suggestion but the benefits of a Forest during the Iron Age. Amesbury Banks good walk should not be underestimated. A short walk also has similar ancient Earthworks well worth a fitted into a busy day can help to relax or focus the mind. visit. A bit of fresh air works wonders! Take a stroll around  Wanstead Park, take a stroll around the your closest bit of Forest; wherever you go in the Forest landscaped grounds and visit the Temple (now there is lots to be discovered. open every weekend to learn more about the For a longer walk pack a flask and try exploring a history of the park). different place in the Forest:  The Hunting Lodge on Chingford Plain gives a  Furze Ground around to Copley Plain and Dulsmead great opportunity to learn about the Tudors. Hollow is a interesting walk past some fantastic  Copped Hall is also worth a visit to see the ‘Coppards’. fascinating restoration work taking place, the  Search for the Lost Pond, a lovely tranquil spot. surrounding land is also a good spot to see Deer.  Gilberts Slade across to Canada Plain and Bulrush Playing Pond, a walk through some grassland spots good for The Forest is a great place for playing, the open space spotting wildlife. gives rise to lots of imaginative ideas for games, fallen Fantastic Views trees become dragons, grassy plains become race The Forest boasts some great view points and while the tracks. Why not use fallen branches and twigs to build trees are bare this is the best time to see them. Try the a den or camp. following spots: Bike Rides  Pole Hill, Chingford for great views across , Dust off the bikes in the shed and have a ride through also Yardley Hill and Yates Meadow for views the Forest, the surfaced rides in the Forest offer further to the East of London great routes that take you through a range of habitats  Big View, walk up Claybury Hill from the carpark and a range of terrains. Here are some suggestions: near the Woodbine and Volunteer pubs. Great views  From Chingford Plain to Fairmead Road via across to Waltham Abbey Grimston’s Oak, a muddy but relatively flat ride.  Birch Wood, Theydon Bois for views across the  From Earls Path Pond towards Warren Hill, a Forest fairly flat and not so muddy ride.  Staples Hill and Warren Hill for views across  From Earls Path on the Up and Down ride to High Loughton to the Roding Valley. Beach, a more strenuous ride as the name

 Copped Hall, views across the North of the Forest suggests and with plenty of mud! Bird Watching Exploring There are some great bird watching opportunities to be The Forest covers a vast area and even working here found in the Forest: for years there are always unexplored areas, looking at  Connaught Waters, for bigger birds some common a detailed map of the Forest there are some and some less so, see if you can spot the solitary fascinating names given to the sites; Genesis Slade, Pochard. Drum Maids, Comical Corner, The Four Wantz, Trueloves and Wormleyton Pits. My new years  Long Running, for a chance to see Woodcock, Siskin, resolution is to discover these places and explore new mixed flocks of tits, Gold Crests and Fire Crests. areas of the Forest.

Trust in the Forest Page 2 Making a Difference

One of the things that makes our who work with him on a daily basis. He method of boundary setting was to use jobs such a joy to do is seeing the was particularly observant during the a tree, for most sessions he would difference that visits to the Forest session and didn’t wonder off but made stand by a tree always making sure he can make to group and individuals. sure that he was always ahead of us could see us and what was going on when walking. with the activities. Occasionally he Ryan* is a sixth form student who would momentarily break away from comes out to Epping Forest every his tree and briefly join in the activities week to work on various Awareness The second session we had in the Forest then he would rush back to his tree. and Conservation tasks. Ryan is When he does this it is almost as Autistic and says very few words but though he is playing a game, he understands clear instructions. Prior to always laughs and smiles and joining his current school has previous particularly likes to touch or grab your school used to confine him to a small hair as I painfully discovered on one class room through out the day session! because of his habit of running off. Ryan was so used to the confinement As the weeks went on it became that the staff at his current school soon obvious that the Forest experience noticed that during the school day he was very beneficial to Ryan, he enjoys was constantly looking for the being outdoors even though it lacks boundaries. Being in the playground, obvious boundaries, and he has in such an open area made him demonstrated aptitude to certain tasks uneasy, he would pace back and forth especially when it came to stacking Using a Kelly Kettle to make a hot drink along the fencing like a caged animal. the trees that were cut down during the sessions. He was very good at was a team building session doing Forest sessions began for Ryan and stacking piles; in fact he was the best shelter building. The group worked well his class in September, and the staff in his group at doing so as he is very on the shelters and used a fallen Beech from the school were wondering what organised and likes the trees to be tree as support to prop dead wood and he would make of a Forest straight and tidy. branches up against for their shelter. environment without boundaries? In Ryan didn’t get involved in the actual the first session I took the group on a Ryan is a perfect example of how the building but instead chose to observe the Forest walk, this was the first time that Forest environment can benefit an groups every move from upon the fallen any of the group members had ever individual; he gained confidence in Beech tree. Ryan had found his boundary been to a Forest, they relished the himself from the experience whilst in the Forest for this session by not whole experience. Ryan appeared learning to work as part of a team. His leaving the tree; instead he would pace slightly agitated by the experience but new found confidence has been noted back and forth along the tree. If he was was keen to take part in some of the back at school, he is less anxious now asked to help the others to carry anything activities along the way and and participates more in group he would very quickly jump off to help particularly enjoyed the tree activities. them and then run back to his tree. identification part of the walk, and * Not his real name even managed to identify 2 of the trees when I asked him. This came as Each week Ryan’s confidence grew and real surprise to the support teachers his boundaries expanded. His favourite Ash Pinnock

Feeding Birds in your Garden Feeding birds in your garden not only helps them but will also House Sparrows, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers) be good for your garden. From early spring to late autumn your Bird cake and food bars (Fat balls and other fat-based food bars visiting birds may continue to visit your garden and will feed on are widely available, and are excellent winter food. If they are sold all kinds of garden pests, snails, slugs and aphids. Put out food in nylon mesh bags, always remove the bag before putting the fat and water on a regular basis. In severe weather, feed twice ball out – the soft mesh can trap and injure birds) daily if possible: in the morning and in the early afternoon. Birds Live foods and other insect foods (Mealworms are relished by require high energy (high fat) foods during the cold winter robins and blue tits, and may attract other insect-eating birds such weather. They need to maintain their body reserves to survive as pied wagtails. Supplies can be obtained from advertised dealers the frosty nights. Use only good quality food and scraps. Always in pet and wild bird food and Reptile dealers) adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow un- eaten foods to accumulate around the feeders. Try to stick to a Rice and cereals (Cooked or un-cooked rice, without salt. Any breakfast cereal in small quantities is acceptable bird food although feeding routine , as the birds will become familiar with it. chocolate should be avoided.) Here is a list of some useful foods you can try in your garden: Never give milk to any bird, regardless of species or age. A bird’s gut is not designed to digest milk, and therefore milk can Black sunflower seeds (These are an excellent year-round food) result in serious stomach upsets or even death. Birds can, how- ever, digest fermented dairy products such as cheese, and mild Nyjer seeds ( particular favourites with Goldfinches and Siskins) grated cheese can be a good way of attracting Robins, Wrens Peanuts (These are rich in fat and are popular with tits, Greenfinches, and Dunnocks.

Trust in the Forest Page 3 Weird and Wonderful Forest Animals

The Woodcock Scolopax rusticola on or under the ground, these are rooted out with the The woodcock is a little seen bird in Epping Forest, Woodcock’s flexible bill. those of you with a keen eye may have seen them around It was once widely believed that woodcock spent its Long Running. Woodcock are large bulky wading birds summers on the moon! This has since been discovered to with relatively short legs but a long bill. Their plumage be untrue! In fact those which do migrate only go as far is reddish brown with distinct stripes across the head. as Finland and Russia. Most Woodcock are permanent The plumage provides the woodcock with excellent residents though. camouflage in its favoured woodland grass habitats. It is also largely nocturnal making it even less visible. The tiny feathers at the tip of the Woodcock’s wings, Woodcock might sometimes be seen if you disturb them called pin feathers are still used as fine paintbrushes. from where they are hiding, when they fly up they exhibit a characteristic zig—zagging flight or ‘roding’. Woodcock numbers are in decline probably due to loss of This roding can sometimes be seen at dawn and dusk in habitats, there are estimated to be about 8800 pairs in springtime when the woodcock flies back and forth over the UK and they are on the RSPB’s Amber list. woodland areas looking for a mate. The flight might also be accompanied by several croaking sounds followed by a sharp squeak.

One of the curious physical features of the woodcock is the unique position of its eyes almost on top of its head, this gives it almost 360° vision and enables it to look out for predators whilst feeding. Woodcocks feed mainly on worms, beetles and other invertebrates found Ash’s Nature Notes At this time of year in the Forest there is a feeling of being in limbo; the fantastic display of autumn colours has gone and This time of the year is a good time to observe small birds we are eagerly awaiting the fresh burst of new green such as Tits and Finches as they move around in often leaves. The exposed Forest does however reveal the vast mixed large flocks. I have seen large flocks of Siskin at Long contours of the Forest floor and the beautiful architecture of Running moving between the Silver Birch tree tops feeding the trees. Autumn 2008 was very colourful, with trees on the seed. They are particularly noisy in flight and on one presenting leaves rich in colours from deep reds to occasion they passed over head, I was standing beneath flamboyant yellows. It is one of my favourite times of the them and there were seed shells falling through the air and year to be out in the Forest, the sun sits lower in the sky on me. If you are observing any large flocks of small birds in sending sharp rays of light through the trees lighting up the the Forest you should always look closely at the birds within Forest floor revealing the deep oranges and reds of the leaf the flock because in the winter you often find the odd bonus litter. bird attached to the flock such as, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit or

Fire Crest.

Walking around Connaught Water and some of the other large ponds in the Forest this time of the year reveals flocks Fallow Deer can be spotted easily this time of the year due of waterfowl such as Mandarin Ducks. They gather here for to the lack of leaf and ground cover. The best area to catch the winter after spending the warmer months dispersed a glimpse of this shy animal is at the Northern end of the around the Forest’s smaller ponds for breeding. Migratory Forest where large herds can be seen browsing along the water fowl can also be seen over wintering or on passage on Forest edge and amongst the undergrowth. Dawn and dusk these waters. These include species such as Teal (pictured are the best time to see them. opposite), Pochard, and Tufted Ducks and if you are really lucky you may see a Smew (pictured below).

Trust in the Forest Page 4 Early Land Use and Laws in Epping Forest by Richard Morris

In his well-known book London’s Forest , with many settlements and presumably referred to land on which the Crown published one hundred years ago this agriculture around what were to be had exclusive rights to hunt deer, and year, P J Perceval commented that: Epping and Hainault Forests. where a code of laws applied. ‘The extent of forests in a country On the withdrawal of the Romans The popular belief that Epping was reflects the progress of a nation. Their after 400 years of occupation, forest declared a Royal Forest by William history is marked by three great epochs history becomes obscure during the cannot be substantiated. The earliest – savage, sporting, and utilitarian, Dark Ages which followed. The references to the legal Forest of Essex corresponding to man’s relation to the country slowly split into minor dates from the 1130s, when Henry I forest and its denizens’. kingdoms divided between chiefs and made extensive use of the powers first In the primeval forest savage man overlords. By Anglo-Saxon times the used by William. The Forest of Essex lived in his woodland dwelling, made kingdoms were receiving names; that originally embraced the whole county. the giant oak his temple and slew the of the East Saxons, called Essex, The boundaries were reduced or wild beasts both for food and sacrifice. including Epping Forest. Farming went enlarged on many occasions but by the Civilisation began quite suddenly with on as before in an agricultural beginning of the 14th century had been the arrival of Neolithic men in about community. All the open waste land stabilised to principally Waltham 4,000BC. They initiated a settled outside the cultivated areas was used as Forest, made up of Epping and culture, with crops and domestic permanent pasture for cattle and as Hainault Forests. animals, but their settlements were acorn ground for pigs, and also for the In November 1217, the First Forest near rivers, in the valleys of lowland hunting of game; but the hunting was Charter of Henry III had been Britain, and the forest remained only a published. Although this dealt mainly place for hunting. with Forest boundaries, it also It was not until the Iron Age that we indicated that administrative and find any sign of a settled community in judicial systems were by then in place south-west Essex. During the building for ‘managing’ the Royal Forests. The of the Lea Valley reservoirs near administrative system provided for a Walthamstow, the site of an old British Chief Warden to be appointed for each encampment was uncovered, and dates Forest, who had under him Foresters, back to around 500BC. There is strong Regarders, Woodwards, Agisters, evidence, both from dating and siting, Master Keepers and Under Keepers. to think that the two hill-camps inside The judicial system provided three Epping Forest at Loughton Camp and Loughton Camp levels of courts to hear cases of Ambresbury Banks were linked with offences against the Forest Laws: the the village down in the valley. The Verderers or Forty day court, the actual purpose of these camps is done more out of necessity to obtain Swainmote, and the Court of the uncertain; they were not in permanent meat and clothing than for pleasure. It Justice Seat. The courts were to occupation, but could have been used was only towards the end of the enforce the draconian laws, as the as temporary hill-top retreats. Here the Anglo-Saxon period that we find the peasant farmer saw them, which valley farmers could have hidden with chieftains abrogating to themselves the severely limited their rights to hunt in their families and cattle during times of exclusive right to hunt deer in what the Forest, graze cattle on the ‘waste’, danger. they designated as royal hunting and to take wood from the Forest. grounds. The influence of the Romans on land The ownership of land in England use in the forests of England has for [In the next issue of Trust in the Forest , long been debated, but Oliver was to change with the arrival of William the Conqueror. One of his Richard Morris will explain the details Rackham in his book, History of the of the Forest Laws and their impact on Countryside , draws the conclusion that first acts was to claim legal ownership of the entire realm and to select those the people and landscape of the Forest Roman England probably had two from types of terrain: regions where there parts of the countryside most favoured was a patch- work of woodland and by wild deer, so that he might pursue 1300-1850] farmland (eg. Herts. and Essex), and his favourite pastime of hunting. It was regions where all the woodlands had at this time that the word ‘forest’ was disappeared (the great river valleys and introduced. Previously reference had most of the chalklands). South-west only been made to woodlands, but the Essex had a quite dense population, Normans use of the word forest

Trust in the Forest Page 5 Dates for your diary

2009 Saturday 17th January 2009 10.30 am – 2.00 pm Forest Hands Scrub clearance task to kick start the new year and help burn off the Christmas excesses! Help to improve the habitats on Warren Hill by removing invasive Sycamore trees. Come along and warm up with some sawing and lopping tasks to get stuck into. All welcome, the day will include a BBQ lunch and an afternoon activity for children.

There will be no Forest Hands in February.

Saturday 14th March 2009 10.30am – 2.30 pm Forest Hands Scrub clearance task. Help to improve habitats in the Forest and learn some practical conservation skills. All welcome, the day will include a BBQ lunch and an afternoon activity for children. Contact us in March for details of the site.

Saturday 18th April 2009 10.30am – 2.30 pm Forest Hands Scrub clearance task. Help to improve habitats in the Forest and learn some practical conservation skills. All welcome, the day will include a BBQ lunch and an afternoon activity for children. Contact us in April for details of the site.

Saturday 16th May 2009 10.30am – 2.30 pm Forest Hands Scrub clearance task. Help to improve habitats in the Forest and learn some practical conservation skills. All welcome, the day will include a BBQ lunch and an afternoon activity for children. Contact us in May for details of the site.

The next edition of Trust in the Forest will be published in May 2009

Staff: Contact us: Epping Forest Centenary Trust Claire Duncombe—Environmental Awareness Officer

The Warren Lodge Phone: 020 8508 9061 The Warren Fax: 020 8508 9061 Ashley Pinnock—Conservation Project Loughton Email: [email protected] Officer Essex Website: www.efct.info IG10 4RN Marian Haddad—Trust Administrator

Trust in the Forest Page 6