Last week we promised devastation... and we delivered. See how Lindsey, Jill, Ben and others wrought havoc on the pond margins, while we also righted the wrongs of fly-tipping and littering, and more.ek...
| | One of last winter's hedgerow plants - wild cherry, enjoyed its pampering over the dry summer months. |
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Hello Hampton Heath Friends! |
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This week I took a leisurely stroll around all the public areas of our Site of Interest for Nature Conservation - a circumnavigation of David Lloyd's golf course, the Heath, and some of the streets alongside.
The impact of another hot, dry summer is clear - but so are the green shoots (where we've been watering them!). Our pond still has around a foot of water, but the natural pond on the golf course (near Sixth Cross Road) is just mud. But what are the wider implications? Read on to If you do one thing this week... !
Details of a highly productive volunteer session last week, this weekend's workgroup, and all the latest nature notes are below>> |
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| | Last Saturday, a group of eight of us got stuck in to the autumn season conservation tasks.
Reedmace: The clearance of the reedmace was completed - with all the stems removed to a nearby heap - all of which will make for improved pond habitats and a great hedgehog / amphibian hibernation refuge.
Grassland: With both the brush-cutters in action, this was our first big "two-beast" blast of the grassland, focused on the area near the Longford Gate to Uxbridge Road. Some artful cutting left much of the reduced crop of knapweed stems standing - leaving plenty of seedheads for the green and goldfinches.
Litter: Of course there was the usual haul of litter, as well as a fair collection of old tennis and golf balls removed from the pond and grassland areas. These are a significant source of plastic pollution across the nature areas... but we're winning!
Bramble management: And of course, Paul did his thing with the mattock. Brambles stand no chance
Another great week. Thanks all!
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Brush cutters and rakes at the ready.
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First autumn cut on the heath is well underway.
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We finished clearing the Reedmace (bull-rushes) from the pond margin.
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Tennis balls are a large part of the plastic waste removed from the pond margins.
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| | Get Involved! Volunteer Action |
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Why not join our fabulous community of volunteers on a Saturday morning? We'll give training for any equipment, and you'll get a free hot/cold drink courtesy of our friends at David Lloyd afterwards.
It's good for Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and general well-being. There's no commitments, no obligations... just turn up on the day. You can reply to this email with any questions.
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| | Path work and grassland management Litter-picking - as always Wildflower seeding Mattocking bramble roots Enjoying a coffee and chat at David Lloyd afterwards
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| | Every Saturday 10:00-12:00 |
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Where: David Lloyd, Hampton Entrance Foyer [Map]
Who: Everyone! All ages, all abilities. If you are under 18 or have special needs you will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult or carer.
What to bring: We'll provide: |
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| | If you do ONE thing THIS WEEK... |
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Take a walk! I walked around the Heath and the golf course, late afternoon on Monday, as the sun shone strongly. The effects of climate change, on our mosaic of grassland, shrubs, trees and pond habitats is becoming very, very obvious.
This week, take a walk - but with an eye to the rate of attrition. Losing this many native trees, so fast is not sustainable. |
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The trees lining the kick-about area crisped up in early August, and it's still very, very dry.
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These are a few of the oak trees which didn't make it through 2022 on the David Lloyd Golf Course.
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If climate is changing our local habitats, and impacting our farmers and growers, what about the places which supply our imported foods? Are their soils and water sources being stretched too? This is just one of the issues addressed in a film called "People's Emergency Briefing" being screened up and down the UK, which looks at the data, the implications of continuing climate disruption, and asks the questions that much of the media prefers to ignore.
So when you've taken your walk in the early autumn sunshine, why not book yourself in to the local screening of the People's Emergency Briefing at St James's Church, Hampton Hill.
I've not yet seen it, but by all accounts it's an eye-opener.
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The screening will be followed by a short discussion session, for those who wish to take part. |
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| | On my Monday walk, I also met regular HHF volunteer Sarah, and as we chatted she spotted the flittering of one of our stunning Hobbies... just got the camera out in time! These stunning falcons will still be fattening up on dragonflies ahead of their long autumn migration to Africa.
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Hobby - fast, narrow-wings... it's flight is almost like an over-sized swift.
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The Cyclamen are thriving - native to warm, dry areas from southern France to Türkiye.
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New species alert! Jersey Cudweed - small, inconspicuous grey leaves, but look closely and you'll see almost metallic silver-gold daisy flowers. Another species at home in arid climates.
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And another new one! Pink-barred Sallow moth, was hanging around near the willows where its caterpillars feed, near the pond.
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| | If you have ideas for the newsletter, or an issues you'd like to see addressed on the Heath, please do let us know.
Our new email address is:
[email protected]
But don't worry, we'll keep the old address active too. |
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| | All the content in this newsletter is created by our local community of volunteers. All photos are from the Heath (unless we state otherwise) - so all you see is hyper-local nature.
If you know anyone who may be interested in the Hampton Heath project or local nature, please feel free to forward this newsletter - and of course, if you no longer wish to hear from us, just click the "unsubscribe link" at the bottom. |
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No new observations at Hampton Heath, this week on the INaturalist / Seek database.
Our records are part of an invaluable source of information widely used by national nature conservation organisations - such as the Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation, British Trust for Ornithology, Plantlife, Buglife - and many others.
All our records and the associated photos are free and easy to view online. Just click the numbers: |
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| | Find us on Bluesky Social Media Copyright © 2026 Hampton Heath Friends |
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