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winter 2013 Group Harris - Chair of the Wren from Tim Page 02 - Welcome Centre Page 03 - Friends of Epping Forest to Operate High Beach Visitor Morrison Page 07 - Gossiping Rambles. More walk and talk in 1908, researched by Tony Party in Chalet Wood Page 08 - Blooming Marvelous Practical Working Aylmer Article by Peter Page 09 - The Last Forest Invertebrate Report by Paul Ferris Page 10 - Winter Autumn Bird Report by Nick Croft - Page 11 Morris Gallery by Kathy Baker thoroughly good day out at the William A Page 16 - Page 19 - Jubilee Pond Update Report by Robert Howell Bat by Gill James Page 21 - St Gabriel’s Nature Club - Report from Gill James Page 22 - Wanstead - a poem by Mary Oliver Page 24 - Starlings in Winter and Mark Gorman update by Peter Williams - Talk Page 25 - Behind the Wire City of London Corporation Forest Keeper, Article by Glenn Mulleady, - Aware Page 26 - Bee Page 27 - Mind those Deer Peak time for road collisions by Jordan Thomas, CoL Moxey Page 28 - Evergreen by Tricia Community Liaison Officer CoL Andrew Harby, Article by Page 30 - Forest Schools Forest Keeper Article by Thibaud Madelin. CoL of the Dog - Year Page 31 - 2014, The photo contributions Page 32 - Gallery members’ teasers, puzzles and more Page 33 - Wren Page 36 - Events Diary Page 37 - ...... and finally

Wildlife & Conservation Group wildlife it’s encouraging to know that not all change bad changes are within our power to limit or is bad. prevent. We need to recognise when they are A word from taking place, understand why they are occurring – As this is the season for reflecting on the year and determine to take appropriate measures to gone by, it’s worth pondering a few other good correct them. As ever, our group has an important changes locally. The area’s first colony of Green role to play in this. the chair Hairstreak butterflies was discovered on Wanstead Flats in the spring. And the first Ringlet was seen in Wanstead Park. In fact, dozens of insect Last Saturday morning the sun was shining and I species were recorded for the first time in 2013, decided to go for a walk in Wanstead Park. I’d though in the main this was probably down to been told there were lots of Gadwall there so I more people looking harder for them. And more decided to start counting them. Maybe it was my different types of birds have been recorded on the subconscious finding a way to get me out of Wanstead Flats/Wanstead Park ‘patch’ this year Christmas shopping, or maybe it was the than ever before – and the year’s not quite over unusually mild temperature that encouraged me to yet. count every single Gadwall on every single lake in the park. Whatever the reason, I amassed a grand But there have been bad changes as well: almost total of 307 of these charming ducks – not only a no Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, declining site record but a figure that makes the park a site numbers of breeding Skylarks and the continued of national importance for the species! Thirty years colonisation of our lakes by potentially damaging ago Gadwall were virtually unknown in our area. In alien plants. this age of depressing stories about humanity’s affect on Some change is cyclical, controlled by natural forces – not least our fickle climate – that are beyond our control. Enjoy the Festive Season, and I hope to However, other see you in 2014 - Tim a word from the editor Welcome to the Winter Wren newsletter. frame so your newsletter will still be there in the Remember this is an electric newsletter so we background – just close the new window to can include links to other sites and snippets of continue reading your newsletter. information. When you see blue underlined text it Remember this is your newsletter and will not means that it is a link. Just click on the link for Previous newsletters can now be found on the survive without your support so if you have any more information or to be taken to another site. wren website at news, views or stories please send them to me at Clicking the link will always take you to another http://www.wrengroup.org.uk/about-us/newsletter/ [email protected]

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 2 The View - located on Rangers Road 2014, enabling new recruits to be - is open daily 10am-5pm and is the trained to work in the Centre. We welcome this Friends ofCity Eppingof London Corporation’s most opportunity to help retain visited information point in the Forest, Article by Lisa Gazeley - CoL Forest to operate and develop the services for providing an events space, visitors at High Beach, a very High Beachinformation Visitorabout the story of Epping heavily visited part of the Forest. Forest and how to make the most of Recruitment for volunteers has Centre a visit to the ancient woodland. begun and this is your chance to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, To find out more or to register your interest share your love of this ancient built in 1543, and Butler’s Retreat in becoming a volunteer at High Beach, woodland with others and enable café, are next door. ring 020 8418 0730, email them to explore and understand [email protected] more of the Forest. High Beach Visitor Centre The Friends of Epping Forest are or visit the websites of the Friends of Judy Adams, Chairman of now getting ready to help re-open Epping Forest or the City of London the Friends of Epping the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Corporation: Forest, High Beach from April next year. [email protected] Since 2012 the visitor centre at High or Beach has remained open only at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest weekends and Bank Holidays, . following the opening of Epping To facilitate the changes and Forest’s flagship award winning developments at the visitor centre at visitor centre, ‘The View’ in High Beach, it will now be closed Chingford. Now this new partnership from 29 December until April will enable the visitor centre at High Beach to continue and develop its services for visitors.

Now & then In each edition of the Wren newletter we will be showing you a picture of a street in our area taken around 100 years ago and how it looks today. Just for fun have a guess where this picture was taken (answer back page). If you would like to see your area in this slot why not get in touch and we will see what we can do.

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 3 Gossiping Rambles

Researched by Tony Morrison

Continuing on our journey taken from 'Round London' Publishing Company’s Gossiping Rambles in Suburban Essex, Epping Forest and Beyond, published in 1908 and written by Charles William Burdett. His guide gives a marvellous setting of scene at the beginning of the last century at a time of transformation from the village era to the urban townscape we know today.

The picture shows the Great Eastern Railway’s Grange Hill Station around the time of Burdett’s rambles. Opened in around 1903 this station was the end stop for visitors to the countryside. Lanes around the station were a magnet for ramblers and cyclists. However, even Burdett realised that this was not to last and the area would soon be victim to the urban sprawl of the city. Just across Barkingside station, awkward and in the way, "and had of the forest, its wild animals, its trees nature by its wild untrammelled and we are fortunate enough to be given up their whole leisure to carving and its flowers. But the filching and beauty. Let us enter it to see what in time for a train. We book to bits out of the forest, and adding them appropriation he satirises so keenly may be seen as far as time permits. Grange Hill, passing Fairlop and to their own gardens, sticking up reached a climax in 1851, when a firm Turning to our right on leaving the Hainault stations on our way. The palings round these bits, here a cantle of agricultural implement makers station we ascend the hill towards distance is not very great, but the and there a snippet, here a slab and acting under instructions took down Chigwell Row, via Manor Road. brief rest refreshes us. At one time there a slice; a round corner, and a gangs of men, who with steam these names suggested the leafy square corner, a bare piece of turf, or engines, anchors, chains, and other avenue and the wooded dingle, the a wooded clump: and all so like instruments of destruction, Chigwell Row sturdy oak and the giant elm, but the glories of Hainault have gone. As we proceed we note the fine gardens on our left, filled with splendid As the train speeds along we see only ash, weeping willow, copper beeches, fields and hedges of just the ordinary and many other garden trees, and kind to be seen anywhere; here and Chigwell Post Office and Radleys in 1913 and how it looks today. wonder if their fortunate owners there a tall tree lifts its head above the appreciate them as highly as does the hedgerow, but once beautiful forest of passing stranger. Presently on our Hainault is now no more. Fairlop Oak right we spy a little wicket gate, telling is gone, celebrated in many a song us this is the entrance to the and merry jest, and beneath whose "Recreation Ground." Ye gods what a welcome shade Queen Bess is said to have rested, and certainly beneath fall is here! from Hainault Forest to a which many a happy group has footed recreation ground! However, it is the the swift hour away in the jocund spot we want, so we enter. A small dance. Cultivated desolation reigns in sheet of water just inside the gate is the place of the natural wildness that called Cox's Pond. We shall do well formerly characterised the lovely to remember this landmark, as we district. may require to find it again. Walking across a small green and noting the high square towers of Chigwell Row "All in a Garden Fair." church obliquely on the left, we plunge into a path leading into the The tale has often been told, but undergrowth, and follow its devious never more scathingly than by the late neighbourly, encouraging each other uprooted in the short space of six windings as best we may. To a group Sir Walter Besaut in his charming the while with a 'Brother, will this be to weeks about 1,000,000 trees, driving of happy lads whom we discover book "All in a Garden Fair." He was a your mind?' or 'Help yourself away the deer, and reducing this once playing in a glade we put the question devoted lover of the forest, and knew neighbour,' and ' Let me recommend, lovely spot to the bare monotony of as to where the path leads which we it intimately well. He describes how sir, another slice,' or ' A piece of the the cultivated field and paddock. are following? We soon discover the good people of the neighbourhood woody part, dear friend.' "And then in Isolated patches of the original forest these youngsters are by no means had taken the eighth commandment his own inimitable style Sir Walter were left, and one of these still stands upon their native heath. They are out of the decalogue, as being goes on to describe the former glories to charm and enrapture the lover of

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 5 genuine cockney lads, out for a which only a four-footed animal overtop the brambles, but there are Chigwell and Charles holiday, perhaps making could find a way, soft patches of thickets all around. One of us boldly acquaintance with the wild grandeur green flooring carpeted thickly with essays to find a path, and in one Dickens of nature for the first time. They delicate grasses, other patches still minute is completely lost to sight, so We retrace our steps for a few answer, "We don't know, sir! we're brown with the fallen leaves of thick is the undergrowth. It is literally hundred yards towards Grange Hill, strangers here, but if you go a bit yester-year; Nature in one of her a question of fighting one's way until we reach a road running at right furder yer can't get out, 'cept on yer wildest and most unfettered moods. through, and we realise, however angles to the Manor Road, along hands an' knees! an' then yer gets Hark! what noise is that? Some faintly, what the explorers of an which we are walking. This turn will inter the corn-fields." We decide not tragedy of the woods is taking place Asiatic jungle have to contend with. take us to Chigwell, some half mile to try that particular mode of near at hand, a shrill, frightened At length we find a path and a group or so away. This pretty little village exploration, and push on in the scream from a terrified bird, a fierce of small boys who are exercising has been immortalised by Charles orthodox manner. Says Sir Walter rush of wings. Presently we arrive at forest rights by collecting a sackful of Dickens in Bamaby Rudge. Writing Besant, in the book before referred the scene of the murder, for murder broken sticks. One of these to his friend and biographer John to, "There are pools in the forest, but it is. The ground is thickly strewn becomes our guide, philosopher and Forster, Dickens says in one of his most of them are shallow, there are with the soft white feathers from the friend, reconducts us to Cox's Pond playful moods:- marshy places and quags, but a wet breast of a wood pigeon, the before mentioned, and is sent away foot is the worst that can happen ... it branches round about bear traces of rejoicing with a small douceur. We "Chigwell, my dear fellow, is the is not a very great forest, beside the the sanguinary struggle which has leave this portion of the forest with greatest place in the world. Name New Forest or the Forest of Dean it just taken place, overhead is part of regret, but time presses, we must your day for going. Such a delicious is small, but it is real forest, it is wild. a bleeding wing, fixed high in a away. The memory of its wild old inn opposite the churchyard - An active lad would soon cover the forking branch, doubtless dropped untamed beauty will linger with us for such a lovely ride - such beautiful whole ground." And wild enough we there by the marauder; who wings many a day to come; we shall often forest scenery - such an out-of-the- find it to be. But virtue is its own his flight to enjoy his bloodthirsty hear the echoes of the strange weird way rural place - such a sexton! I reward. By pushing on, turning here meal in solitude. We hear discordant noises found in its deep recesses. say again, name your day." and twisting there we find ourselves bird-notes in the distance. But the Owing to this very wildness it is at length in one of the most primitive ground must suffice our meaner hardly the place for a lady, as skirts The "Maypole." scenes possible to imagine. The powers; as Longfellow says and dainty head and foot gear would interlacing boughs of hornbeam, get sorely mangled and torn, but for The "delicious old inn" is still beech, and oak form a canopy "We have not wings, we cannot those who are not afraid of these standing, and has undoubtedly stood overhead, which seems full of "dim soar." obstacles it more than repays a visit, there for centuries. May it continue religious light." Gnarled and twisted as it is doubtful if such a purely wild to stand for centuries yet to come! It trunks meet the eye in every After winding in and out for some woodland spot exists anywhere else was a famous place long before direction, lichen covered, moss further distance we are hopelessly within the precincts of the whole of Dickens gave it an added lustre. encrusted, storm marked trees lost. We are in a small open glade, Epping Forest. It extends in patches Those who are fond of ancient everywhere. Surely this is the hemmed in on every side with from Chigwell Row to Dog Kennel hostelries should certainly see the forest primeval! Delicious glimpses blackberry bushes giving promise of Hill on the one side; and by Cabin "King's Head," as the place is of leafy alcoves, fitting home of thousands of the luscious berries Hill and Crabtree Hill to Lambourne rightfully called. Dickens gave it the gnome and faun; thickets through later on in the season; tall trees End on the other. name of the Maypole in Barnaby Rudge. Its many diamond-paned

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 6 The Kings Head, located on Chigwell High Road (A113), is a Grade II* listed building wandered, for it has been a royal constructed in the 17th century and extended in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The resting place on more than one building which faces St Mary's Church was made famous by Charles Dickens in his 1841 novel Barnaby Rudge in which he changed its name to the 'Maypole'. occasion.

Dickens frequently visited Chigwell, which he described in a letter as "the greatest place in the world...Such a delicious old inn opposite the church...such beautiful forest scenery...such an out of the way rural place!". Coventy Patmore

We next spend a few minutes in the exterior inspection of Chigwell Church, and note the massive solidity of its flint-built walls, ashlar fronted ; its curious steeple. An outside view has to content us, as the door is locked; so we turn our step towards Chigwell Station, noting the windows, its deep low doorways, its panoramic effect of Buckhurst Hill in low ceilings crossed by massive oak the distance, (for we are 210 feet beams; its walls lined with oak above sea level) and book to panels, dark with age but most Liverpool Street, via Woodford; the carefully preserved, are just as they birthplace (1823) of Coventy have been for long, long years. In the Patmore, the author of The Angel in entrance hall is a mysterious looking the House, a charming poem which deep recess, in which half-a-dozen has made his name famous. Here too men might hide. At the back of the in 1771 was born the wise, witty, and house is a pretty little lawn, edged genial Sydney Smith, the most with parterres of gaily coloured jocular parson who ever lived, flowers. On the left hand is an possessed of a mind stored with archway of green, in front of which learning, as full of wit as an egg of stands a venerable old apple tree meat, many of whose jeux d'esprit now tottering to its fall, senile arms are still current and are sometimes outspread as though in feeble passed off as original creations by expostulation with the decay which is their purloiners. His memoir by his overtaking it. Through the archway is daughter, Saba, Lady Holland, is yet another little lawn, trim, clean, filled with choice specimens and circumspect; a long, high, thick offers many a laugh; it will repay hedge divides the two. Here in olden perusal. Soon we arrive at Liverpool days the monks and abbotts and Street, perhaps a little fatigued by the friars wandered in pensive mood or events of the day, but caring nought told their beads, for the ancient for that, for we have passed a day hostelry was once a religious house. Wonderland, and its memories will Here Queen Elizabeth too has abide. before they hybridise with our own species - but without permission blooming from the Park's owners - the City of London Corporation - this would be marvelousillegal. But this show doesn’t happen Perhaps one of the best places to without a little bit of help. There are appreciate a show of bluebells is in problems with invasive bramble Chalet Wood, within sight of the and - sad to say - people. Because Temple and convenient for visitors of the nature of the wood, to Wanstead Park from either the particularly during the autumn and Wanstead end at Warren Road or winter, there are few clearly the Aldersbrook end at defined pathways through the Northumberland Avenue. woods; even those that are tend to The bluebells in Chalet Wood are get covered in leaves. This means all of our native species, that in early spring, just as the Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and bluebells are beginning to show Wanstead Park holds an important above ground, people tend to population of them. However, many wander at will - and damage to the other woodlands have been plants and compaction of the soil invaded by the more vigorous means that the plants struggle Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides each year to make any new hispanica), which are sold as ground. Even the visitors that come garden plants and if discarded may to enjoy the show can add to this, interbreed and spoil the native by walking amongst them (however population. And Chalet Wood is pleasant this may be), or stepping threatened in the same way; along on them to take photographs. much of Northumberland Avenue - which borders Wanstead Park to The Wren Group has been working the south, Spanish Bluebells are on this wood for years to improve flourishing, discarded from houses this show. Earlier in December the along the road. Even very close to group got together to clear the area Chalet Wood itself, between the of brambles to give our little floral Sweet Chestnut avenue and the friends a chance to bloom again vegetation that borders the next spring. southern edge of Chalet Wood, To join the group contact Peter clumps of the invaders are present. Williams 0208 555 1358 (or 07947 I suspect it wouldn't take much to 819472 on the morning) dig these out and dispose of them [email protected]

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 8 (1976): Forests denuded of trees since the 18th century, the lake created by “Hatfield is the only Iron Age, but formerly (and often still) damming Shermore Brook has The Last Forestplace where one can of great importance for deer-stalking. sustained both fishing and other step back into the Let’s look back at that quote again. It leisure, first for the owners, but since Though Essex is one of the less- Middle Ages to see, with only a small ends with the phrase ‘in use’. If the acquisition by the National Trust in wooded counties – around 6% of effort of imagination, what a Forest capital F immediately accords the 1924, the public. its area, although this figures is looked like in use.” meaning of ‘use by Royals’ (or, as increasing – relics of four great Rackham makes clear, for Royals; And you can still buy venison from forests remain. Epping we all know It is only in Hatfield, he states, that kings were busy people who tended the Forest. Try it, if you’re a about, and Hainault is close at one can see “all the elements of a to get others hunting for them), that is carnivore; lean and delicious. hand; Writtle is the forgotten one; medieval Forest”, in terms of factors merely one social layer. Indeed the but in many ways it is Hatfield that such as tree-life, habitat and supply of is the great survivor. livestock. And so, having set the deer to claim, he proceeded to prove it, in a palaces Why such a claim? As Wren 1989 work devoted to Hatfield, The was “a members, we all know of the great Last Forest. relatively struggles of the 19th century against minor use enclosure and for access that Note the capital F in the quote above. of the secured the ‘open aspect’ of Epping A Forest, to Rackham, is not a forest. land,” says Forest in perpetuity. But time to quote In other words, it does not have the Rackham: the great recorder of English forests, contemporary meaning of a place “the main Oliver Rackham, in Trees and with a lot of trees. There are a lot of users were Woodland in the British Landscape trees in Hatfield Forest, but that’s not local why it’s there. countryfolk It’s there and their because it lords”. Take provided royal one sport for the example, Normans and pannage: the the large number of stout oaks in the successors, in Forest produced many acorns, on the hunting of which the pigs of local farmers deer and other flourished in good years. And game. Indeed, coppicing and sheep-grazing, as in those who Epping, would have been important walk in upland too. Article and pics by Britain will Another use is shown by the former Peter Aylmer travel mile road that passes through the open after mile in ground of the Forest; and since the

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 9 this were a few specimens of the small Misumena vatia crab-spiders, which invertebrate have been called the “White Death Spider”. Not all individuals are white, having an apparent ability to change their colour to suit the flower that they may be on. I am not sure just how report much variation in colour is possible, but my observations have shown them to be between very white and bright Common Carder Bee, Bombus yellow. There was at least one other pascuorum species of crab-spider in evidence in As winterI mentioned in my last report, I 2013 is ‘invasive and predatory’, and with a the garden. This was the small-but- didn't do much “wild-lifeing” during vicious sting. This Asian species was familiar Zebra Spider Xysticus August, and indeed that trend accidentaly introduced into France in cristatus. This is the black and white continued into the winter months. I 2004. spider that sits on walls, watches you certainly did not get out into our carefully as you approach and jumps “wild” areas much to look at things, As always, going into September, out of the way if it feels threatened, so from a personal point of view can spiders became more prolific in the which also lends it its other name of only really report from what was garden, and I took quite a few Jumping Spider. going on around my garden, and photographs of various specimens. home. However, the identification of spiders is These were familiar species, but for Tachina fera something that I am not skilled in, and about a week there was a new-to-me as in so many instances, identification greenish spider living on the top Hoverfly numbers built up a bit in the visits from solitary Hornets, Vespa from photographs may just not be surface of a rose-leaf. It had created a garden, but I felt there were not so crabro, but usually moving on quickly. I possible. There were certainly some fine web across the leaf and used its many in numbers of individuals; with quite like hornets, although the mention familiars: Araneus diadematus - which position to trap prey and to gather it up regard to species, there was nothing of them often leads to somewhat is the Garden Spider otherwise known and consume it on the spot. I saw a that I saw out of the ordinary. One worried reactions. In fact, as wasps go, hoverfly or two, plus some other small as the Cross Spider, from the pattern frequent visitor to – particularly – my they are probably less aggressive than on its back - was very much in Michaelmas daisies was a somewhat other species that we may encounter evidence. Lurking as always on the hoverfly-looking fly – quite large and and the toxicity of their sting is vegetation was Pisaura mirabilis - with a somewhat bristly black-striped supposed to be not that much more one of the nursery-web spiders. These orange abdomen. This was Tachina than other wasps. fera, a common-enough fly during the are very active hunters and are quite distinctive in the way that they hold the summer months and because of its However, reports in the newspapers front two pairs of their long legs straight size, quite distinctive. There were during the latter part of summer warned out in front of them whilst detecting bumble-bees, too, including the of a posssible “invasion” into Britain of prey, or simply resting. My Michaelmas orange-abdomened Common Carder another species of hornet, Vespa daisies tend to attract a nice lot of Bee, Bombus pascuorum. As for velutina nigrithorax, which DEFRA says wasps, well my garden had plenty of insect species, and taking advantage of Nigma walckenaer Spider

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 10 this species devour the mother after China-mark, Cataclysta lemnata. This hatching; a few days after laying a little, mostly-white moth may be second set of eggs on which her newly commonly found by the banks of the hatched spiderlings feed. Apparently Perch Pond in Wanstead Park she encourages her offspring to devour (particularly at the east end where the her! This species is also said to bite destructive waterside-vegetation humans - unpleasantly. slashing is undertaken each year at Spiders apart, most else that I saw was totally the wrong time!), and exists in of not great account, although I did this habitat because the larvae are enjoy finding the colourful bug semi-aquatic and feed on Duckweed. Graphocephala fennahi – commonly Black Lace Weaver Spider This probably does not upset the ducks Garden Tiger Moth - Pic by Tim Harris refered to as the Rhododendron flies and even a spider, either being too much! In a similar fashion as Leafhopper these days – for the first for the year at Tim's Lakehouse trap consumed or having been (mostly) caddis-flies, they build a case from bits time this year in Wanstead Park on was 225, with 89 being new ones to consumed. A fascinating little creature, of vegetative material. that trap. In my trap at Capel Road, with which I identified as Nigma 23rd September. Rhododendron leaves are a good place to look for them, its considerably shorter up-time, there walckenaeri, its green colour enables it Luckily, Tim Harris continued moth- though they may be found on similar were 168 species, of which 31 were to blend in well with the leaf surface, trapping at his home near Bush Wood plants. new to me. but also makes it distinctive. I learn much later into the year and he from Wikipedia that until 1993 it was reported that the warm nights in early only found in London and the Home I haven't much to report on either Counties, and that it may originally August enabled the Lakehouse moth butterflies or damselflies and have been imported into Kew Gardens. trap to record 110 species, which dragonflies as I wasn't out there much It is a European species, with some included a number of species not to see them. Tim reports that there populations in Asia Minor and North before recorded in the area. August were four Common Darters hawking Africa. Another spider that caught my seemed to have been the prime month (and in one case mating) at the attention was – and still is – living on for moths as numbers fell dramatically southern end of the Ornamental Waters the outside of my kitchen window. It is a during September when a total of 50 around midday on 10th November, and species of Steatotoda, although if you species were noted in the trap. Even I did see a Red Admiral butterfly well look that up on the internet relating to so, Tim recorded many species that into November, but of course you don't the UK there is a lot about Steatotoda Gipsy Moth - Pic by Tim Harris were new to him and quite a number see much at all unless you are out nobilis, the False Widow Spider. I don't new to the area. One particularly nice think my one (ones) is that, and is I stopped moth-trapping as early as there and looking. visitor was a Garden Tiger, on 11th probably a quite common native August, so missed out on a lot of August. This used to be a common species. The False Widow has had a specimens and species. A few that I did species, but in recent years there has lot of press coverage as it is poisonous encounter included the rather nice been a significant decline in numbers of and does bite, but as with many things, caterpillar of the Yellow-tail, Euproctis that species. Jersey Tigers, on the they are not really a threat unless mis- similis, and a couple of times Nettle-tap handled. There were, however, a few other hand, have shown a marked moths, Anthophila fabriciana, both in Report and pics threatening-looking spiders in my increase in numbers; both Tim and I my garden. Near – almost in – the New by Paul Ferris compost bin, and a tentative caught a few of these and even Crematorium Pond in the City of identification was Amaurobius ferox, neighbours reported seeing them in London Cemetery was the Small the Black Lace-weaver. The young of their gardens. The total moth species

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 11 autumn bird report

Report and pictures by Nick Croft

I used to hate the winter, the short days, the long nights, the cold and worrying about my heating bills. Not anymore, there’s stuff to see and while there’s not much time to see it, the stuff can be rather exciting and miles better than the lack of stuff to be seen in the long days of summer. So now Autumn/Winter are my favourite seasons, up there with spring. Now I just have to worry about how much money I spend on coffee and bacon rolls from the Esso Garage.

Whinchat by Nick Croft Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 12 A new patch record has been achieved: we have more now seen 135 species this year and with a few c Red-crested Pochard: 17th-24th Sept. Origins weeks to go, we may get more. It’s been so good unknown (better not ask too many questions) some of the Old Guard have returned. I met up and luckily departed before blotting its copy- with Mike Dent one morning on the flats. He told book too much. me that in his time, they never ventured out here. c Common Snipe: 12 Sept. A ten-bird record count from the flats. c Hirundine movement: 23rd Sept. Small (600+) September by comparison of some of the figures being seen elsewhere that day. A month any bird observatory on the coast would c Wigeon: 24th Sept be more than happy with. A report for every day of c Jack Snipe: 29th Sept. only the third record for the month and I don't recall that happening before. the patch. It started on a high and just about finished at the c Redwing: 29th Sept. An indication that winter is same level. The wrynecks are a small but distinctive group of small Old World coming. woodpeckers. Like the true woodpeckers, wrynecks have large heads, long tongues which they use to extract their insect prey and zygodactyl ... Wikipedia Goodbye to our warblers, now departed for sunnier climes: Chiffchaff were still singing, but not in the count of individual birds) numbers of previous years and Blackcap still Spotted Flycatcher (33 days, down on previous lingered in the blackberries and elders. In their years, I reckon) place finches and buntings are returning and with Tree Pipit (11 days, a number of birds staying local for a few days, but still a good count) Wheatear (9 days, all female/juv types: where are all the males?) Common Redstart (7 days and well down on last year) Pied Flycatcher (5 days and probably a couple of individuals involved). Red-crested Pochard is a large diving duck. Its breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and Central Asia, In addition: wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. Wikipedia c Green Sandpiper:1st Sept (calling in flight across the flats) The attendance register c Nightingale: 2nd-3rd Sept c Wryneck: 3rd-9th Sept. Whinchat (80 bird days, the most prolific of the The treecreepers are a family, Certhiidae, of small passerine birds, scarce migrants) c Barred Warbler: 5th Sept. widespread in wooded regions of the Northern Hemisphere and sub- c Sedge Warbler: 11th Sept. We were expecting Saharan Africa. The family contains ten species in two genera, Yellow Wagtail (33 days, and probably the only Certhia and Salpornis. Wikipedia

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 13 them the migrant thrushes: had failed to raise a brood, with a youngster in tow 11th (1650 + and 400 + respectively) of the pair frequenting the Heronry. c Stonechat(s) on the 6th, 12th, 17th, 26th and The wintering ducks are coming: Teal on the edges Also back: Siskin heard on two occasions, Linnet 30th of the Alex, Shoveler numbers rising as are in with the Pied Wagtail on the Police Scrape, a Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Common Pochard. few more Chaffinches. One or two Reed Bunting The Great Crested Grebe on the Basin managed have returned, and an interesting bunting was to raise one chick, while the Little Grebe have all picked up by the Alex but refused to reveal its gone for the late brood strategy which appears to identify. have paid off. The one big day of hirundine movement duly came and went: mostly Swallows and House Martins, but with a smattering of Sand Martin in the mix - the only ones seen all month, while our resident House Martins were still feeding over the nest site till the end of the month.

October

A time of thrushes and finches: summer meets he Ring Ouzel is a European member of the thrush family Turdidae. winter, the days disappearing, fungi and fruit, and It is the mountain equivalent of the closely related Common Blackbird, and breeds in gullies, rocky areas or scree slopes. wind and rain. Wikipedia

Those heading for the out door: Arrivals

The Lesser Redpoll is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus c 2 Spotted Flycatchers (different birds on the 5th c Bramblings (five on the 10th, and singles on a Carduelis in the finch family, Fringillidae. It is the smallest, brownest, couple of occasions later in the month) and most streaked of the redpolls. Wikipedia and 6th and the latest on record) c 7 Yellow Wagtails (last being on the 13th) Also successful were the Hobbies, with one young c Wheatears until the 15th and finally... seen round the nest site by the Temple. Three c Whinchat, a late record on the 12th c Kestrels taking it in turn to be mobbed by the c Tree Pipit, a late record from 16th-19th in the Yellow-legged Gull on the 12th and 13th crows and parakeet on the flats, and Sparrowhawk SSSI c Mediterranean Gull: ‘Valentino’ pays a visit c sightings are almost daily. Only 2 Common c Late Swallows (2) on the 23rd Oystercatcher: Tim, working late, gets the bird Buzzards this month, and no Peregrine sightings. while walking home In transit In addition to (almost) daily records of Yellow c Ring Ouzel: 3 or more birds from the 10th-13th A young Common Whitethroat on the 4th was the Wagtail, Meadow Pipits have started moving (with a possible record from the 22nd), short last of the other warblers, while Chiffchaffs and through with 40-plus birds on occasion. Pied but sweet and some showy individuals and not Blackcaps managed to make it to the end of the Wagtail have taken a liking to the ‘Police Scrape’, the usual runaround month, but now we are just talking singles. Very while it appears I was hasty in saying the Grey’s c Big movements of Redwing on the 10th and few Goldcrests have arrived yet and there is no

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 14 sign of the Firecrests: a Nuthatch is the best that c Yellow-legged Gull: just the one this month Bush Wood had to offer. c Treecreepers return to Bush Wood. c Firecrests also returned to Bush Wood. Only two so far... c Water Rails back by Shoulder of Mutton. Two birds that can be coaxed into a sharming showdown c Woodcock: two sightings of yet another returning winter bird

It's been noticeable that while there have been more Redpoll, including the Mealy, Siskins haven't moved in any numbers at all with just a few singles over the Flats. The Blue Tit is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. The bird is easily recognisable by its blue and yellow plumage, but On the 25th there were 25 Song Thrushes around various authorities dispute their scientific classification. Wikipedia the flats including a number of singers, Blackbirds The Spotted Flycatcher is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and peaked at over 40, Chiffchaffs hung on through the is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining month with a couple of birds; just the one Skylarks (12) are favouring the police scrape with in parts of its range. Wikipedia Blackcap, though, at the beginning of the month. a growing number of Linnets for company, while Goldcrest sightings are still low, but that's probably there are fewer Meadow Pipits. The scrape also Raptors came in the form of one Peregrine, a down to the mild weather. draws in the Pied Wagtails in a pre-roost get- Common Buzzard, no Hobby and on a few days together. Sparrowhawks, including one that probably deserves a bit more time (if it had allowed): a The importance of the patch for wintering Gadwall really small bird which shot over Shoulder of was could be reinforced on the next WeBS count, Mutton on the 27th - Sharp-shinned Hawk, with numbers already pushing the 200 mark anyone? across the patch. A couple of Wigeon sightings and a smattering of Teal, and the return of good numbers of Pochard mean its November worthwhile checking the park again. … could have been worse...

c A week's worth of listening to Mealy Redpoll in Shetland pays dividends with confirmation that Report and pictures we do have them occasionally on the patch by Nick Croft c Mediterranean Gulls: two first winter jobs on one day and the adult lingering by the Alex for The Common Blackbird is a species of true thrush. It is also called Follow Nick on his blog Eurasian Blackbird, or simply Blackbird, where this does not lead to most of the month confusion with a similar-looking local species. Wikipedia http://wansteadbirding.blogspot.co.uk/

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 15 entrance hall with fine plasterwork, now refurbished and with new a thoroughlyextension by Pringle Richard Sharratt Architects. It was formerly good daythe outhome of the designer, craftsman, poet and socialist William Morris (1834-1896) and now it is a museum of his work and William Morris Gallery, that of his followers in the Arts and Walthamstow Crafts Movement. From 1848 to 1856, Morris lived Over the last two years, the William here, with his widowed mother and Morris Gallery in Walthamstow has his eight brothers and sisters, from undergone a complete the age of fourteen until he was transformation with a £3.5 million twenty-two. The young Morrises refurbishment made possible by a used the garden moat for boating grant from the Heritage Lottery and fishing in summer and for ice- Fund. The refurbished gallery skating in winter. William Morris opened to the public on 2 August apparently wrote some of his 2012. Like many people I have earliest poetry seated in the tall always been aware of Morris’ window on the main staircase, and background in design and his friend Burne-Jones, on a visit to interested in his socialism. After a the Morrises in the 1850s, painted recent visit there, I have been studies of the trees on the island. finding out more about the building itself and its significance as a Since 1950, the Morris family home heritage site. has been the world’s only public museum devoted to William Morris’s life, work and influence, Background with internationally important collections reflecting the The William Morris Gallery is a impressive range of his activities. beautiful 1740s Georgian Grade II As well as a comprehensive visual listed former ‘Water House’ ( the survey of Morris and his circle and name derived from the ornamental the firm of Morris & Company, the moat in the gardens at the back) Gallery displays work by members with original features including oak- of the Arts & Crafts Movement panelled and marble-flagged which Morris inspired, and by the

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 16 painter and designer Sir Frank ‘Nicholas Nickleby’) as well as elevation, it Brangwyn RA, who began his career bloodthirsty melodramas. strengthens the as an apprentice-draughtsman with In 1899, the Lloyd family donated the argument that the Morris & Co. in the 1880s. After its house and grounds to the people of wings were a later opening in 1950 by the Prime Walthamstow and ‘Lloyd Park’ was addition. Minister, Clement Attlee, one of the opened in July 1900. A blue plaque Gallery’s first visitors was H.M. on the east bay of the Gallery’s front From one of the few Queen Mary, whose husband elevation commemorates the early photographs of George V had given Morris & Co. the building’s two most famous the rear elevation of Royal Warrant for its contributions to residents, William Morris and Edward the building, it has the 1911 Coronation. Lloyd. If you walk a little way west become clear that the along Forest Road, now demolished east you will find another wing was of two blue plaque inset in storeys. It housed the the wall of the Fire A map drawn in 1758 shows the kitchens, laundry and Station. This records building with its original east and usual domestic offices, as well as the location of Elm west wings, but without the two semi- accommodation for the servants. House (which was circular bays on the south front which Early in the nineteenth century, a demolished in the were added some thirty or forty years further extension was built onto the 1890s), where William later. Both wings were apparently front of the west wing, containing a Morris was born on additions to the original structure of large drawing room with full-length 24th March 1834. the house. Today, only the west wing mirror panels on the walls and Historical importance of the building remains, the east wing double doors which opened out into of the Gallery having been demolished in the early a conservatory at the west end. The William Morris 1900s. This was to make an Gallery is widely entrance from the front regarded as a fine example of to the back of the When the Morris family left the house Georgian domestic architecture grounds when these in 1856, its next occupant was the dating from about 1744 (the date were laid out as a publisher Edward Lloyd (1815-1890), scratched on a brick found in the public park. Of the lost the proprietor of Lloyd’s Weekly upper east wall). Records indicate, east wing, the only London Newspaper (from which the however, that there was a house on remaining trace is now music hall star, Marie Lloyd, took her the site – or perhaps on the moated the outline of the roof stage name) and of The Daily ‘island’ to the rear of the present levels, still visible on Chronicle. Before he became a house – as far back as the 15th the existing east wall ‘respectable’ establishment figure, century. The existing house was of the house. As this Lloyd originally made his fortune variously known in its earlier history roof outline runs from publishing brazen plagiarisms as The Winns or Water House. across a blind window of Dickens’s novels (such as on the eastern

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 17 One of the finest features of the themes developed by building has been refurbished, offices exterior is seen as the Corinthian- Benedetta Tiana of the have been created in the basement, style porch with its fluted columns BT Museum and a new learning centre and library and elaborately carved capitals. The Consultancy. The original windows on the front exhibition design was elevation (those in the three centre carried out by GuM bays) together with the use of band- Studio, with graphic or string-courses and the upper design by Thomas cornice – added at the same time as Manss and Co, and the two semi-circular bays – were works closely with the intended to give order and symmetry historic architecture of to the façade of the building. the building. Many new objects from the The main doorway originally led collection are now on walls in the main hall and on the directly into the marble-flagged hall, display, and the exhibition covers all staircase and upper landing are its broad proportions echoed in the aspects of Morris’s work, including timber-panelled up to dado level, the upper landing on the first floor. Both production from his workshops, his plasterwork above best-selling products, the Morris and having panels with Co shops, his many commissioned decorative surrounds. projects, and his political work and Some of the original interest in the environment. The coved panelling and collection certainly reflects Morris ‘in dentillated cornices the round’ as a fascinating and multi- can be seen in a talented historical figure and the number of display added significance of the gallery rooms on the ground being his house and of architectural and first floors. importance adds a further dimension now occupies the second floor. The The refurbishment of to any visit there. emphasis on education and learning the whole building has there will hopefully interest children involved stripping back As with many heritage sites these and young people in the life and all the interventions days, there have also been moves to career of William Morris and the that had been added make the gallery a more attractive historical importance of the gallery over the last 100 these areas retain many of their place to visit. The gallery has been that was once his home. years, to get back to the base original features: panelled door- extended with a new east wing, building, with its fine panelled walls, cases, as well as fine plasterwork on which contains badly needed new timber shutters and elegant windows. the ceilings and also across the main facilities, a tea room, shop, special The exhibition has been completely beam in the hall, which supports the exhibition gallery and a conditioned Article by Kathy Baker reconsidered and William Morris is upper landing. The staircase has object and archive store as well as now re-interpreted following new carved ends to the treads while the being fully accessible. The entire

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 18 Since then, a great deal of work has been done to northern to the southern end of the pond and a repair and develop the pond. Many meetings were dam built so that work could start on that area. On held to establish the most efficient and sustainable completion the water was pumped back and Jubilee way of not only repairing the pond but also similar work done on the remaining section. Water scheduling and identifying the resources required was then pumped into the completed pond from and deciding on how best it could be developed in the existing borehole. order to have the widest appeal to the widest visitor profile. Members of the Lakehouse Lake The second phase was the landscaping which has Pond Project committee were invited to, and attended, included a new accessible pathway, the provision virtually all of these meetings and were able to of a number of new benches, and a natural play provide local knowledge that helped form opinion. area. Picnic benches and litter bins were also installed. Also included in this phase was the The main contractors started work in the spring of building of a pond dipping platform. The decking This has been a seminal year in the this year. The first phase of the project was the of this was built by members of the Lakehouse developmentupdate and history of the Jubilee Pond. relining of the pond and putting a new surcharge Lake Project working alongside Forest staff and A year ago the pond leaked and had a sad and on this lining. This operation was carried out in other volunteers from Epping Forest. neglected appearance. two stages. First, water was transferred from the Volunteers erected fencing around scrub clearance along Dames Road part of the southern end of the pond in the previous autumn but this “We can all enjoy and planted several species of water summer Forest staff ‘lifted‘ the trees. "We are so pleased to improved access, more plants and reeds. This has proved This meant clearing the undergrowth have had the places to play, more seating, effective as there is a noticeable around the trunks, removing any opportunity to revitalise such a increased biodiversity difference in the re-growth of suckers and cutting the lower popular part of Epping Forest, and reduced anti- vegetation within the fenced area and branches. Not only has this helped for the enjoyment of all of social behaviour.” that outside. A second planting was alleviate the anti-social behaviour but London's communities. The carried out around two of the islands has opened up views of the pond active role played by the local Judy Adams, Chair of Friends with maturing plants in coir from the road. community in looking of Epping Forest, which helped ‘sausages‘ placed around the The birds seemed to have been after this pond is very with the planting, shoreline. Unfortunately these plants welcome." have been devoured by the Canada Geese and it is hoped that a method Gordon Haines, Chairman of of protecting this planting can be the City of London It was decided after thorough devised by the spring. Corporation's Epping Forest consultation that there would be Committee minimal planting this autumn, in order to allow native vegetation to re- establish itself, with further planting “We’re glad to have little too well). A pond-dip in the taking place in the spring. This been so involved and to autumn showed that the ‘usual method will allow the pond to develop have influenced the project suspects’ are returning and it will be naturally in keeping with the aim of from beginning to end, interesting to see how these providing a conservation area. from design drawings to populations are re-establishing site meetings.” themselves when we carry out the spring pond-dip. Lakehouse Chair, Dennis Stone There is still a lot of work needed to maintain and improve the pond in the future but for now the pond is in good When the work on the pond had been heart and being used by an completed and the barriers removed increasing number of people. It is a there was a noticeable increase in truly local amenity made possible to a the number of drinking dens around Some areas of new growth have been protected large extent by the local people from grazing geese by temporary fencing. Over two days, volunteers planted pre-seeded coir the pond and rough sleepers in the themselves. mats and coir rolls around the pond with native area. Members of the Lakehouse species such as water mint, reeds, water lily and Lake Project had already, in undisturbed by the construction work Rob Howell water forget-me-not - which will improve the lakeside habitat - and a grass-seed mix was sown consultation with Epping Forest and have adapted well to their new Lahehouse Lake Project to improve biodiversity. Centenary Trust, carried out some environment (the Canada Geese a Pictures City of London

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 20 , The work to the chimney stopped immediately and misinformation here, but from what I understand we took advice to confirm the bat’s presence. The two alternatives lay before us: St Gabriel s‘bad news’ was that it was indeed a bat, a pipistrelle - the good news was that as it wasn’t yet The first alternative was the one we were time to hibernate so here was a decent chance desperate to avoid – this would require a full Bat that the bat would move on, rather than stay put. survey of the site over a three-month period, To our great relief that was what happened. including 3-night observations before a licence The next chapter is complicated and I risk could be granted to undertake the works as we When St Gabriel’s successfully applied to had originally planned them and to provide an English Heritage in 2012 under their Repair alternative roosting location for the bat. Not only Grants to Places of Worship scheme we were would the cost of a full survey be expensive but asked to undertake various surveys and would delay the repairs and require re-scaffolding reports as condition of the grant: drains was etc. one, and, more relevantly here: bats. Having concluded that as far as could be seen we had no The alternative we were able to implement once bats in the church we were given the go-ahead to the bat departed was to revise our repair of the do the high-level repairs to the parapets and chimney to retain the nook for the bat in perpetuity brickwork of the chimney. The condition placed on and do the rest of the repairs around it. Once we us in that report was that the work to the brickwork found the empty nook and called in the ecologist should be concluded by the end of October to Huw Bramhall again to confirm the absence of the allow for the possibility of bats to hibernate. That, bat the work could begin. If it were to return the as far as I thought was the end of the matter. work would again need to stop and we’d probably be forced into seeking a licence. Fortunately for Then, during the summer of 2013 I was alerted to us, our tiny friend found alternative the rather worrying news that a bat had been accommodation at least until the work to the discovered in the cracks of the chimney. This chimney had been completed. Perhaps we will would not have been visible to the initial survey as never know if he or she returns because now that it required scaffolding in order to access. My heart the scaffolding is gone it’s hard to see that high. sank, as it was the kind of news that could mean But, at least there’s a home prepared just in case! long delays, greater expense and general headache! I tried to tell myself that providing a home to a bat was a good thing and we should be Picture shows where the crack in the chimney stack grateful that it was outside, rather than inside the has been retained. Article by Gill James building.

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 21 wanstead nature club For children aged 7-13 years

Bring your youngster along to have fun with others learning about our local nature - birds, plants, trees, butterflies, pondlife, insects etc.

We meet at the changing rooms building, Harrow Road, Wanstead Flats E11 3QD the forth Saturday of every month 10 a.m. - 12a.m.

Run by local volunteers. Only £1.50 a session To find out more and register to join please contact Gill James 0208 989 4898 e-mail [email protected]

Supported by The Wren Wildlife & Conservation Group and the City of London

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 22 this.Then we built them up round the The weather is still warm, the leaves the worms do next! He will have to sides with lighter branches and are mostly still on the trees and there keep it in a dark place and make sure wansteadfinished them off with lots of dry are lots of insects still around. We the worms are kept damp and have grass to fill the gaps. The girls looked at different leaf shapes and enough leaves. worked together very well and made tried to learn their names. Some Nature splendid dens! Afterwards we had to leaves are quite easy, like holly put all the branches back where we which is spikey and evergreen, and found them. oak which has wavey edges. club Then we went on a fungi hunt and found lots of tiny fairy bonnets and SEPTEMBER: DEN BUILDING some great big parasol mushrooms. AND FIRELIGHTING We also found a couple of very busy and buzzy wasp nests! We collected lots of branches from We also found a mystery object: a the wood to build our dens. First of strange star pattern underneath the all we had to find two big strong bark on a fallen log. At first we branches that ended in a Y shape to thought this was a fossil, then a fungi, make a strong frame for our and finally we decided it was made structures. Andrew Harby, a City of by the larvae of a wood beetle. Then we went for a walk into Bush London officer, showed us how to do Then we made brilliant leaf firework Wood. It was cold but sunny and the pictures with brightly coloured leaves shone golden on the trees. Autumn leaves stuck on black paper. We carried story sticks like little Then Andrew showed us how to We had seven children today. fishing rods and tied things we found make a small fire. We learnt how to like feathers and leaves onto the make sparks with flints. We used the wool on the sticks. We spread a tarp spark to light a piece of cotton wool NOVEMBER: WORMS AND on the ground and sat down. Then smeared with vaseline in a little twist WOODLAND TALES Marian, our story-teller, plucked a of dried grass. It worked brilliantly- story off the cuff of one of our we soon had lots of little fires going! Daniel brought along some more jumpers and told us a wonderful We had ten children plus two toddlers sticky stick insects, Menuo had story. It was lovely to sit in a real and lots of mums along to help out- researched October's wood beetle at wood listening to a story told by a what an exciting day. home, and some children brought real live story teller! along lots of worms for our wormery. We put layers of earth and coloured Today we had fifteen children and OCTOBER: FUNGI HUNTING sand in stripes in the wormery box , lots of mums and dads. & LEAF MAGIC which has see-through sides. Then we added the worms and some Daniel brought along a stick insect leaves on top. Zachary got to take which had very sticky feet! this home for a month to see what Report by Gill James Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 23 Starlings in Winter by Mary Oliver

Chunky and noisy, but with stars in their black feathers, they spring from the telephone wire and instantly they are acrobats in the freezing wind. And now, in the theater of air, they swing over buildings, dipping and rising; they float like one stippled star that opens, becomes for a moment fragmented, then closes again; and you watch and you try but you simply can't imagine how they do it with no articulated instruction, no pause, only the silent confirmation that they are this notable thing, this wheel of many parts, that can rise and spin over and over again, full of gorgeous life. Ah, world, what lessons you prepare for us, even in the leafless winter, even in the ashy city. I am thinking now of grief, and of getting past it; I feel my boots trying to leave the ground, I feel my heart pumping hard. I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings.

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 24 people in the area with memories of Stratford. There were fascinating ticket (£6 incl. light refreshments) the Flats in the war. Using these and first-hand accounts of inspectors of email [email protected] Behind other written sources from the that camp. and they will gauge if there is National Archives in Kew and the enough demand. You can also buy a London metropolitan Archive (who Mic, the patron at the cafe, did the copy of the 30-page booklet on the wire hold many papers on Epping Forest) 30 or so people present proud with POWs from the LLHS website or the group gradually pieced together wartime music, served potato Newham Bookshop. the story of the POW camps. A big flobbies from an austerity recipe, On 7th November Wren members breakthrough was acquiring a digital camp coffee (not a patch on their Update by Peter Williams Mark Gorman and Peter Williams copy of an RAF air photo from 7th usual wonderful coffee) and even gave a talk "Behind the wire - August 1944 which clearly shows managed to find some theatrical POW camps on Wanstead Flats". huts and tents. Mark recounted the barbed wire in his attic. Mark also This was at CoffeE7 on Sebert Rd, the wonderful cafe near Forest There is to be a repeat of the gate station. Peter explained he excellent talk about the Prisoner of has long had passion for landscape War camps on Wanstead Flats history and archaeology and in 2001 together with a look at other uses of he started walking his dog everyday the Flats over the past 100 years. on the Flats. He noticed various The talk will be given by members of lumps and bumps and cropmarks in the Wanstead Flats History Group, the dry grass and wondered what Leyton and Leytonstone Historical the history of the Flats was. Society. He got to know Mark a few years Wednesday 22nd January 2014 ago through Wren Group practical from 7pm at CoffeE7, 10 Sebert work and they discovered they had a Road, Forest Gate E7 0NQ. Tickets common passion for local history. £6-00 (including soft drinks and Mark introduced Peter to a sub- buffet) from CoffeE7 or write to group of the Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society (LLHS) that were Mark Gorman doing a study of the Flats. The group 151 Capel Road has some funding from the Heritage London E7 0JT Lottery Fund and managed to story of how many Italians arrived in put on a small exhibition of Flats employ a professional researcher 1942 after their defeat in North Africa photographs courtesy of Tony For more details phone Mark briefly who taught them how to do after El Alamein. German POWs Morrison. Gorman on 020 8553 5220 proper oral history using a digital arrived after D Day (indeed the Flats recorder. were used by Allied forces as a If you missed the talk Mark and or e-mail [email protected] muster area) and the flats was a Peter are thinking of doing it again in Mark interviewed several older sub-camp of the main camp in the New Year. If you would like a or [email protected]

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 25 bee aware ! British Bees are under threat mainly due to changes to the way we manage our countryside. More efficient agricultural techniques has meant far fewer wildflowers in the landscape and as bees rely on flowers to feed it is becoming more difficult for them to survive.

Bees are extremely important to the British countryside, not just for biodiversity by pollinating wildflowers which helps insects, mammals and birds survive but by pollinating crops that we rely on as a food source such as tomatoes, peas and many fruits contributing hundreds of millions of pounds to the UK economy.

The UK has 24 species of bumblebee and eight of these can be found across a number of habitats including many gardens where ornamental flowering plants provide a valuable source of nectar in the spring that is now missing from much of the countryside. You can help bees by planting flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen and that flower in stages through the spring and summer such as:

c Green Alkanet c Betony c Aquilegia c Borage c Comfrey c Foxglove c Lavender

The more plants that flower throughout the year the better it is for the bees especially in spring as the Queen comes out of hibernation and is looking for food and at the end of summer when she needs to fatten up ready for hibernation. Bee careful not to plant invasive species that might spread into nearby native woodland!

Glenn Mulleady Forest Keeper, City of London Corporation

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 26 illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and provide greater driver reaction Mind those Deertime. But, when a deer or other animals is noted on the road, dim your headlights as Peak time for deer vehicle collisions animals startled by the beam may ‘freeze’ rather than leaving the road. Road traffic accidents involving deer present a major problem in the UK as well as in many Don’t over-swerve to avoid a deer. If a other countries in Europe. The problem is very collision with the animal seems inevitable, acute in Epping Forest due to the high then hit it while maintaining full control of your number of cars that travel the Forest roads, car. The alternative of swerving into oncoming both day and night and the disturbance to traffic or a ditch could be even worse. An deer caused by dog walkers who can often exception here may be motorcyclists, who are unknowingly push deer on to the roads and at particular risk when in direct collisions with into the path of on-coming vehicles. October animals. through to December is considered a high-risk time as many deer will be on the move for the Only break sharply and stop if there is no autumn mating season, also known as the rut. danger of being hit by following traffic. On-going highest risk times are from sunset to midnight, and the hours shortly before and Try to come to stop as far in front of the after sunrise. animal(s) as possible to enable it to leave the roadside without panic. Across the UK it's estimated there could be between 40,000 - 74,000 deer-related motor Report any deer-vehicle collisions to the vehicle accidents a year, resulting in 400 to police who will contact the local person who 700 human injuries and about 20 deaths, with can best help with an injured deer at the a cost of over £17m. The combined economic roadside. impact of injury accidents and car damage is likely to exceed £50 million per annum. Do not approach an injured deer yourself, being in close proximity to a human can The Deer Initiatives top tips for avoiding a increase its suffering, it may also be road traffic collision involving deer include: dangerous.

Be aware that further deer may well cross To find out more on safety advice please visit after the one you have noticed, as Fallow www.deeraware.com Deer will more often move around in groups than alone. Jordan Thomas After dark, do use full-beams when there is no opposing traffic. The headlight beam will Forest Keeper, Corporation London

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 27 . Flora Britannica

Evergreen There are many legends which surround our native evergreens, the Yew, There are many legends which surround our native evergreens, the Holly and Ivy these are well described by Richard Mabey in his 1996 publication The leaves of evergreens are by their very nature tough and leathery, lasting for more than one season before turning yellow and dropping off. Their chemical makeup makes them less palatable than deciduous plants, so they are avoided by many herbivores, both big and small. Cattle, sheep and deer will eat Holly leaves so do a few Yew invertebrates. However Holly and Ivy berries the red arils on are eaten by a number of birds and the nectar-rich flowers Ivy provide valuable fuel for autumnal insects such as bees, wasps, moths and flies. All green plants need sunlight, water and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. When the ground temperature falls below freezing, overcome this problem, To water cannot be taken into the roots. deciduous trees lose their leaves and become dormant during the cold winter months, but many evergreens can continue to make food via photosynthesis even at low light levels provided the ground remains They too shut down in periods of intense cold. unfrozen. The Holly is native to western and southern Europe. It a pioneer species that can recolonise clearings, but it also thrives under shade, growing slowly into a tree 10 m tall. It often forms an impenetrable understory in Oak or Beech woodlands and there are good examples of this in parts of Epping Forest. During the winter months seeing evergreen trees and shrubs reminds us of the continuity growth. It is probably for this reason that the long tradition of bringing evergreen branches into home during the dark days at turn of year still survives, it helps to cheer us up! The leaves on the lower limbs have varieties, some with variegated and the females lay eggs on the careful when cutting it back. three to five sharp spines on each leaves have been selected for unopened flower buds. The Variegated forms of Ivy and Holly side, pointing in alternative directions, planting in gardens or in public parks caterpillars eat the contents of the provide winter contrast in a garden, while leaves of the upper branches and certain weeping forms were flower buds and they pupate at but both grow well and look their best lack spines. Such tough leaves take popular in cemeteries. The City of ground level before emerging in early where there is some sun. several years to rot down once they London Cemetery is an excellent August. The females of the second have fallen from the tree. place to see many of these forms. brood feed on Ivy flowers before The evergreen Yew can grow into a Many Holly leaves have a dark blotch descending to the ground to pupate tree 20 m. The highly toxic, flat, dark The Holly is dioecious, either growing on them. This is caused by a single in the autumn. green leaves are arranged spirally on as male or female plants; the females tiny larva of the Holly leaf-miner the stem, but on many shoots they will the produce the familiar bear Phytomyza ilicis, a small black fly. Ivy is a native evergreen climber are twisted into two flat rows either berries, usually red, but sometimes Some of the larvae are eaten by which frequently grows up tree side of the stem. An understorey yellow. Each fruit contains 3 to 4 birds, including blue tits, which peck trunks, holding fast by many shrub in deciduous woodlands, it is seeds which are spread by passing out the insect leaving a v-shaped tear adventitious roots which stick firmly now becoming more frequent within through the digestive system of the on the leaf. to the bark. It will also clamber up Epping Forest as birds such as seed predator! They germinate two walls and fences and in gardens it Thrushes and Blackbirds distribute or three years later often beneath a The female adult Holly leaf-miner can become something of a pest as it the seeds. As individual Yew trees perching post. Planted as a hedge flies lay her eggs on young holly can spread along the ground too. can reach a considerable age it is Holly forms a good stock proof barrier leaves in June and July. The eggs Once it has reached a certain height, often associated with ancient sacred providing some shelter from biting hatch and the larvae crawl out it will produce flowers on branches sites and is frequently grown in winter winds and also good nesting feeding by making a tunnel and which have a tendency to form a churchyards and cemeteries. sites! eating the leaf from the inside. Each bushy shape. Most healthy trees will larva carries on eating throughout the shade out the Ivy growing up the Trees with fine needle like leaves With the spread of the railway lines autumn and winter reaching a trunk, but a thick cover of Ivy round a such as the pines, firs and spruces out of central London, it became maximum size in March. It pupates tree could be hiding a hollow trunk. can survive snowy conditions as fashionable to plant Holly or other between March and May, but before A thick tangle of Ivy provides shelter snow slides off their branches. evergreens in the front gardens of the pupating, the larva prepares a thin and food for many invertebrates larger houses. Sadly, as many of triangular area on the underside of including certain caterpillars, spiders these front gardens are now given the leaf. In late May and June, the and snails. For many birds such as over to parking spaces for cars such insect presses against this thin area, Wrens and Dunnocks there is shelter hedges have been removed, but and the adult fly emerges from the in cold weather, tasty food to be where they do survive their visual leaf, leaving an emergence hole eaten and potential nest sites too. importance is recognised and they about 1mm wide underneath the leaf. If the clambering Ivy is in danger of have become a feature within Holly flowers are the food plant of the overtopping a wall, keep it trimmed Article by conservation areas. Holly Blue butterfly which has two back as it can form a top-heavy leafy Tricia Moxey broods a year. This butterfly passes mop covered in autumnal flowers and In addition to the dark green of the the winter as a pupa in the ground then black berries. However, as it common Holly, a number of distinct and the adults emerge in April, mate does produce irritating toxins do be

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 29 Getting to know Epping Forest - The role enables me to work classroom environment. The calming Six youngsters from Newham are alongside staff from a number of influence of the natural environment introduced to Bush Wood different organisations and as part of can be the perfect place for the a recent project I have been working development of social skills and with a team from Kids Company for emotional intelligence, areas Rokeby School in Canning Town. generally overlooked in a traditional Forest Having first helped them to deliver a learning setting. project on Wanstead Park this summer, the second group of For their first session, the Rokeby youngsters from Rokeby visited on kids got to grips with some new tools Redbridge 'Fun for All' took part in a day of Schools Friday 15th November. The group and helped us to clear some Holly bushcraft and species spotting on Wanstead Park As the Community Liaison Officer at are taking part in a ‘Forest School’ and bramble from Bush Wood. Along in August the City of London - Epping Forest, project, outdoor education aimed at the way, they learned to work as a Redbridge ‘Fun for All’ group for my role involves getting new learning personal, social and team and why the work they were minority and disabled families to audiences out to enjoy and technical skills while improving doing was important. Over the next Wanstead Park through an exciting experience the Forest in all sorts of knowledge of the environment. few weeks they became more and day of fire lighting, den building and different ways. The role is mainly more comfortable with their species identification. The ‘Happy aimed at youth groups and surroundings. They definitely found it Loppers’ have been working on underrepresented groups who may a very rewarding experience and the conservation tasks at Bush Wood normally face various barriers to physical work helped what is a very and Leyton Flats with Epping Forest visiting and making sure they get a active group to work off some steam, Centenary Trust and the Friends of fulfilling and enjoyable experience making them more receptive to Bush Wood have now started while they are here. It can be hugely listening and learning. In later regularly running practical projects rewarding and I hope I have sessions, the group also took part in on the site. This kind of outreach empowered a few people to improve bushcraft sessions, learning skills work is vital for the long-term health their connection with the Forest and such as fire lighting and orienteering, and protection of the Forest in a fast wildlife in general. and how to do these safely and changing capital city, and by being responsibly. more inclusive we ensure that not only do the next generation show a Checking out a 'den' with the Wanstead Nature Club This is just one example of the greater consideration and care for community work we undertake at the our green spaces but they are also Forest School is growing in south of the Forest through our more invested in securing and popularity in the UK and can be very Forest Keepers, Visitor Services, supporting their future. effective for young children and has volunteers and organisations such a place alongside classroom based as the Epping Forest Centenary learning. The scheme has obvious Trust and Wanstead Nature Club. In Andrew Harby benefits for all but can be especially the last few months alone and just in Community Liaison Officer Chigwell School volunteering on Wanstead Park beneficial for youngsters with low the Wanstead area, we have City of London - Epping this summer attention who may not thrive in a introduced youngsters from Forest

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 30 Road Pavilion and the View 2014 is the Year of Community Room. Tim Harris will be the Dog in Epping guest speaker at the first event, on Thursday 16th January at Harrow Rd, Forest! to focus on Skylark conservation on Wanstead Flats, the impact dogs can have and how dog walkers can help In 2014, we have put in place a series in protecting this nesting site. The of events to promote responsible dog rest of the dates are as follows: ownership. Dog owners form a large section of our users, particularly in Harrow Rd Pavilion: 13/03; 13/05; the southern end of the Forest and 18/09; 13/11 Wanstead Park. We welcome dog The View Community Room: 13/02; lovers and most of us are dog lovers 17/04; 14/08; 16/10; 11/12 too, but like all our visitors they must adhere to the Epping Forest Byelaws Entry is free and details can be as well as more recently other obtained from legislation such as Section 55 to 67 of www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest the Clean Neighbourhoods and or www.urbancanine.co.uk Environment Act 2005 (Dog Control Orders). In addition, we will also be holding two dog days, one at Wanstead Park As an organisation, we work closely on the 8th June (Paws in the Park!) with partners such as Local and one at the View on the 6th of July Authorities and the Police to deal with (Paws at the View!) in association irresponsible or anti-social behaviour with Guide Dogs for the Blind. These issues linked to dog ownership. There will include a fun dog show, activities, have been two prosecutions this year information and hopefully the Wren but we recognise that dealing with the group can get involved in some way. problem starts with education.

As a result, we will be working with Thibaud Madelin local Animal Behaviourist Charlotte Forest Keeper Keane, of Urban Canine, to deliver a Epping Forest series of talks throughout 2014 which The Warren we hope will be thought-provoking Loughton, Essex IG10 4RW and informative at the same time. To Tel: 020 8532 1010 / Mob: 07802 380 reach as many people as possible we 945 will hold them bi-monthly at Harrow [email protected]

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 31 4 Gallery 2

1

5

1. Youn Naturalist - Gill James 2. Common Darter Dragonfly - Andrew Spencer 3. Fly Agaric - Jackie Morrison 4. Tiger Moth - TimHarris 5. Greylag - Nick Croft 6. Longhorn - Tony Morrison

3

6 Please e-mail your pictures to [email protected]

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 32 wren Crossword

ACROSS

3. ACCORDING TO THE BARD THIS LITTLE MOUSE-LIKE PREDATOR NEEDS TAMING (5) 7. THIS FLYING INSECT IS A BIT OF A SWEETIE (8) 10. THIS SNAKE IS VERY GOOD AT SUMS (5) 11. THEY CALL IT A FLYING MOUSE IN GERMANY (3) 12. THIS INSECT IS A REGULAR LITTLE SOLDIER (3) 13. A FLOWER THAT RINGS WITH THE COLOUR OF THE SKY (8) 14. A SIGN OF SUMMER – THIS BIRD IS REALLY FAST (5) 15. IF YOU ARE LUCKY THIS WILL HAVE 4 LEAVES (6) 16. A TREE THAT HAS LEAVES EVEN IN WINTER (9) 18. GREEN OR SPOTTED BIRD IS A BIT OF A HEAD BANGER (10)

DOWN

1. THIS BIRD IS A BIT OF A HOOT (3) 2. WHAT IS THE NAME FOR A COLLECTION OF STARLINGS (11) 5. NAME GIVEN TO A MALE SWAN (3) 6. THIS BIRD IS A BIT OF AN ANGRY WILLIAM (9) 8. A BIRD’S ABODE (4) 9. NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE (5) 11. “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT” AS BIRDIES DO (11) 17. A BUSY LITTLE BUZZER (3)

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 33 Find the word

CAN YOU FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS?

SWAN, LARCH, EVERGREEN, TREE, YELLOWHAMMER, ENVIRONMENT, HEDGEHOG, NATURE, MUNTJACK, BIRCH, RABBIT, NIGHTINGALE, BAT, HABITAT, WILLOW, STOAT, STEM

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 34 Teaser answers

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 35 Cost: £3 for RSPB and Wren members, £3.50 for non- Saturday 8th February 2014 members (no charge for schoolchildren) Wanstead Nature Club for Children Enquiries: 020 8989 4746 10am-noon, Harrow Road Pavilion, Wanstead Flats Cost: £1.50 per child events Saturday 18th January 2014 Enquiries: 020 8989 4898 [email protected] Guided walk: Waterworks Nature Reserve 9.30am Leaders: Daniel Whitelegg and Debbie Burkett Sunday 16th Cost: £2 for RSPB members, £3 for non-members February 2014 Enquiries: 07582 996315 Wanstead Park Waterbird Count Booking essential Collecting data for the national WeBS survey diary 10am. Meet by refreshment kiosk in Wanstead Park Sunday 19th January 2014 Leader: Tim Harris Wanstead Park Waterbird Count Enquiries: 07505 482328 [email protected] JANUARY Collecting data for the national WeBS survey 10am. Meet by refreshment kiosk in Wanstead Park Monday 17th Sunday 5th January 2014 Leader: Tim Harris 7.30, Coffee7, 10 Sebert Road, Forest Gate. Practical work in Wanstead Park Enquiries: 07505 482328 [email protected] Illustrated talk: the Skylarks and other birds of Wanstead Work location the old sewage works site cutting back Flats bramble that is spreading Wednesday 22nd January 2014 Speakers: Tim Harris and Nick Croft. meeting place Aldersbrook riding stables, Empress Ave “Behind the Wire” PoWS on Wanstead Flats in World Cost: £1 members, £2 non-members E12 5HW - not our usual place near the Temple. War II Enquiries: 07505 482328 [email protected] A talk about the Prisoner of War camps on Wanstead Leader: Peter Williams Flats and a look at other uses of the Flats over the past Enquiries: 0208 555 1358 (or 07947 819472 on the 100 years. The talk will be given by members of the morning) [email protected] Wanstead Flats History Group, Leyton and Leytonstone MARCH Historical Society. Mond 6th January - New Year Social 7.30 pm onwards Sunday 2nd March 2014 Bring your own booze and food From 7pm at COFFEE7, 10 Sebert Road, Forest Gate Practical work in Wanstead Park 44, Grosvenor Road, Wanstead, E11 2EP E7 0NQ. Tickets £6-00 (including soft drinks and buffet) 10am-12.30, from COFFEE7 or contact Mark Gorman meeting place to be confirmed by email nearer the time Saturday 11th January 2014 Tel: 020 8553 5220 or e-mail [email protected] Leader: Peter Williams Wanstead Nature Club for Children Enquiries: 0208 555 1358 (or 07947 819472 on the 10am-noon, Harrow Road Pavilion, Wanstead Flats morning) [email protected] Cost: £1.50 per child Enquiries: 020 8989 4898 [email protected] FEBRUARY Saturday 15th March 2014 Wanstead Nature Club for Children Sunday 12th Sunday 2nd February 2014 10am-noon, Harrow Road Pavilion, Wanstead Flats January 2014 Practical work in Wanstead Park Cost: £1.50 per child 'Awayday' trip to Abberton Reservoir work location the old sewage works site cutting back Enquiries: 020 8989 4898 [email protected] Details to be confirmed bramble that is spreading meeting place Aldersbrook riding stables, Empress Ave Sunday 16th Tuesday 14th January 2014 E12 5HW - not our usual place near the Temple. March 2014 RSPB North-east London illustrated talk: Lee Valley's Wanstead Park Waterbird Count Waterworks Nature Reserve Leader: Peter Williams Collecting data for the national WeBS survey 8pm, Gwinnell Room, St Mary's Church, 207 High Road, Enquiries: 0208 555 1358 (or 07947 819472 on the 10am. Meet by refreshment kiosk in Wanstead Park South Woodford E18 2PA. morning) [email protected] Leader: Tim Harris Speaker: David Farthing Enquiries: 07505 482328 [email protected]

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 36 and finally ......

It’s that time of year again to keep an eye out for our feathered friends Provide fresh clean water every day Give kitchen scraps like cheese, cooked potato and bread. Clear up uneaten food at the end of the day as it could attract rats. Avoid giving salted nuts and only give peanuts from a good supplier. Clean feeding areas regularly to prevent any disease.

Now & then

Were you right ?

Answer Manor Park at the junction of Romford Road and Forest Road in 1913 and how it looks today.

Wren Newsletter December 2013 page 37