ED Nature Watch

[fl0wer]

The wildlife pond is actually a 'closed site' which staff at the Horniman don't want us visiting unaccompanied. There will be a good reason for this - probably vandalism in the past, or unscrupulous foragers. I am sorry to write this, because I know Sue and GC will have had true, magical contact with the wildlife.

[Sue]

The gate to the dipping pond is locked. You have to get tickets for the pond dipping from the information desk at the Horniman, although the pond is quite a long walk from there.

It's a little way down from the log pile.

There are a limited number of places for each dip, and I think one adult can accompany each child (we were two adults and two children).

Sorry, perhaps I should have made this clearer :)

[HornimanMuseumGarden]

Hi there,

For those that are interested, here is some information about the Horniman's Pond Dipping sessions this summer. You can also see further details on our website at: www.horniman.ac.uk/visit/events/nature-explorers-pond-dipping-582

The Pond Dipping sessions run every Tuesday during the summer holidays at:

11am ? 12pm

1.15pm ? 2.15pm

3pm ? 4pm

Tickets are ?2 per child (accompanying adults are free) and can be bought from the Horniman's Ticket Desk on the day. Places are limited.

The session is not suitable for children under 5 and is not accessible for buggies due to steps and uneven ground. The Nature Trail leading to the pond is approximately one mile round and is at the bottom of the Horniman Gardens, a fair walk from the Museum. There are no facilities on the Nature Trail.

For more information please email [email protected] or phone 020 8291 8690. Details are also on our website www.horniman.ac.uk

We run other sessions involving the Nature Trail and pond on an ad hoc basis, please check our website for details. The pond isn?t accessible outside of these times for the safety of the public and the wildlife in and around the pond.

We hope this is helpful information.

[fl0wer]

Coming very soon

London Wildlife Trust leads some nearby walks, in lovely wild places not usually open to the public.

for details see:

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/news/2013/08/09/shh-its-secret-wild-london-weekend

[Sue]

I looked out of my bathroom window yesterday and saw a large fox poised at the highest point of the ivy growing at the bottom of my garden - which is very high.

I knew they climbed over walls etc, but didn't realise one could get that high!

He/she jumped (or climbed) over before I could take a photo.

This was in broad daylight in the afternoon!

[fl0wer]

This is about Cardiff, not East Dulwich, but I thought you'd welcome this short film, themes common to park wildlife in all cities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pvm4n/Iolos_Great_Welsh_Parks_Bute_Park/

[Sue]

Interesting film, fl0wer, thanks.

Does anybody know what the massive fish in Peckham Rye Park lake are? Never seen them before yesterday, then saw half a dozen!

[lousmith]

Carp!

[Sue]

Oh, thanks.

They look far too big to be carp though, they're absolutely enormous!

Aren't carp basically just large goldfish?

[lousmith]

Carp grow massive! Even some goldfish get pretty big. Think of Koi.

http://www.bountyfishing.com/blog/2008/05/12/hardcore-fisherman-takes-down-massive-fish-with-bow-and-bare-hands/

[Sue]

Bloody hell :))

They weren't that big :))

[fl0wer]

A few gorgeous Orb spiders around at the moment, webs showing up perfectly in foggy a.m. The 'miracles of engineering' are species clues, so this is a good time to observe.

Spiders being part of life cycle essential to small garden birds it is excellent to see them flourishing.

Resident flock of Aegithalos caudatus takes cobweb for nest building next spring, a reminder not to be too tidy in your garden. I don't see many Robins around, they need spiders as part of their diet.

A note about windfall fruit. Unwanted on the pavements beneath the council's ornamental trees but we can leave garden supplies somewhere sheltered and sunny for the late butterflies and other insects, definitely this encourages the biodiversity back.

[owlwise]

Thanks for that fl0wer. I too appreciate the wonder that is the spider and its web. :-)

[Sue]

owlwise Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Thanks for that fl0wer. I too appreciate the

> wonder that is the spider and its web. :-)

So do I, except when I walk outside and straight into webs which tangle into my hair (sorry spiders).

[fl0wer]

Can I draw commenters attention to the following post which has been tucked away in the Drawing Room since 27th September, not apparently receiving any replies:

from helenlaker@southwark:

"I work for Southwark council, and regularly seek out opinions from the public about issues which will be included in the topics of debate in their Council Assembly, which is open to Southwark residents to attend.

Next month, they are going to talk about Sustainable transport and the environment. Is there anything you would like to talk about with me on that subject?

I have a few questions for you -

What would encourage you to walk and cycle more?

Do you think Southwark is more biologically diverse than it was 10 years ago?

What do Southwark's parks mean to you?"

[Sue]

fl0wer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> What would encourage you to walk and cycle more?

> Do you think Southwark is more biologically

> diverse than it was 10 years ago?

> What do Southwark's parks mean to you?"

xxxxx

They're rather vague questions, don't you think?

[fl0wer]

Let's reframe this & shape the vagueness, it allows movement towards whatever anyone wants to say.

E.g, in the 2nd question might I point out that many in this area are renting short-term then moving away again. Comparing perceptions of the biodiversity 10 years ago had better be addressed by long term residents.

I think if opportunities like this are offered by Southwark staff, it is up to members of the voting public to use them - or lose them.

The parks mean a great deal to ED. They vary in their amenities, but the generous allocations of trees and green space make it a much pleasanter part of London than nearby postcodes. I notice on the Forum that local people have strong feelings about the Council's tree and turf maintenance decisions, rightly so. If they spend taxes on butchering the plants and thus reducing wildlife, we will all be the losers.

[BrandNewGuy]

Very excited to see an osprey flying high over ED this morning at 8.50. It was slowly heading east-ish above Melbourne Grove at the Grove Vale end. It's migration time, so not completely unusual - there's been an osprey around the small lakes near Reigate in the last day or two and no doubt others around and about.

[Sue]

Sorry, not ED nature, but I found it amusing.

Myself to four-year-old in Oxford, pointing to the sky: Look! There's a red kite!

Four-year-old (in withering tones): That's not a kite, that's a bird.

[Frenchpolisher]

Very jealous about the Osprey. I've seen a few Buzzard and a single Red Kite but no Osprey as yet.

[panda boy]

Unusual spider evicted from the bathroom.

From it's markings it looked very much like a false widow.

Aggressive little thing...

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I think you're right - it has the 'skull' markings. Lots of peeps seem to have severe allergic reactions to their bites so don't go to the loo in the dark!

[Sue]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think you're right - it has the 'skull'

> markings. Lots of peeps seem to have severe

> allergic reactions to their bites so don't go to

> the loo in the dark!

xxxxxx

So what do you do if you don't have a gazunda?

Bucket? Washing up bowl?? (NOO) Saucepan??? (NOOOO)

Don't drink anything all day?

:))

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

*adopts po-faced look*

Don't be silly, Sue. All he has to do is carry a lighted candle and he'll be perfectly safe.

[Sue]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> *adopts po-faced look*

>

> Don't be silly, Sue. All he has to do is carry a

> lighted candle and he'll be perfectly safe.

xxxxxx

Oh yes. DUH :))