The Wren Conservation and Wildlife Group

A programme of events, outings and practical work is sent to members usually four times a year.

Please note that the WREN Conservation Group, its Committee, or individuals leading these tasks or outings accept no responsibility for the safety of those who join us in these events. Please see the information at the bottom of the page.

January

Saturday 19th January – Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
Leader: George Washington
Meet at 10am at the entrance to Stratford Rail Station.

Friday 25th January – Group New Year Social Event.
Host: Richard Oakman
From 8pm at Richard's house in Wanstead. If you would like to attend, contact Val Saunders on 020 8539 1560 or at saundwpm@aol.com. Bring a snack for the buffet and something to drink.

February

Saturday 16th February - Canal-side walk to London Canal Museum
Leader: George Washington
Meet at 10am at the entrance to Stratford Rail Station.

Sunday February 24th - Practical Work
From 11am to 3pm volunteers under Forest Keeper Ian Greer's direction will be cutting back holly that is spreading in all directions. Volunteers should meet by the War Memorial in Wanstead High Street

March

Wednesday 5th March - Group AGM - from 7.30 onwards
As well as the AGM, Forest Keeper Brian Gotts will give a 30 minute talk on changes he has seen in that time. He has worked as a Forest Keeper for 20 years.
Venue: The "Forest Room" at Wanstead House, Wanstead E11. This is at the junction of The Green and Redbridge Lane West; within a short walk of Wanstead Station and the bus routes serving Wanstead.

Sunday March 9th - Practical Work
From 11am to 3pm volunteers under Forest Keeper Ian Greer's direction will be cutting back holly that is spreading in all directions. Volunteers should meet by the War Memorial in Wanstead High Street

Saturday 15th March - Nature walk.
Leader: George Washington
Meet at 10am at the entrance to Stratford Rail Station.

April

Bluebell Walk – 12 April 2008

A real April day – drove over to the Park in a sleet storm, only to arrive with the sun shining but still very cold (11C – 52F).  Very surprised therefore to meet with around 25 people (although this was probably due to the Temple being open and a retreat from the cold weather).  Pete led us to the site of the old Chalet – a refreshment kiosk which was located in front of Chalet Wood between the fairly recent plantings of Sweet Chestnuts that form the avenue.  The Refreshment Chalet was frequented in the days when The Plain had cricket pitches and tennis courts.  It was burnt down in 1952 apparently as a result of vandalism.

The Bluebells weren’t at their height, as the weather had been quite inclimate for a couple of weeks.  It was also noticeable how much the Bluebell Wood has suffered through trampling, and the dragging of large logs with various dens being made in the area. 

As we walked along the path from the Keepers’ Cottages to the Warren Road entrance we saw Wood Anemones (half-hearted about making an appearance due to the weather).  We then carried on walking into the western side of The Grove where the Centenary Trust have been doing some excellent work to promote Bluebell growth.  The rain was now heavy and persistent and so we walked smartly through out to The Plain, whereupon the sun was now shining on us (albeit that we were all soaked through and cold). 

Valerie Saunders

May

5 May, Bank Holiday Monday, 1.00 p.m.
City of London Cemetery Nature Tour
George will be leading a walk, meeting on the lawn outside of the Gatehouse Pantry at 1.00 p.m.  Contact: George Washington**

Temple opening on Saturdays & Sundays
every weekend throughout the summer.
The Temple will be open both days from 1.00 p.m. until 5.00 p.m.  Go along and visit the Group's display cabinet, and see what activities are going on.

10 May, Saturday : All day event
British Naturalists’ Association AGM – 10 May 2008

As reported previously, the Group was delighted to take a display at this event through our links with BNA Chairman and wildlife personality (and former Wren Group member) Roger Tabor.  Various other groups including the Lea Valley Park Rangers, local BNA groups and the sponsors, Jordans, also displayed, this event being held at the invitation of the Warden of Forest School Snaresbrook, Mr Andrew Boggis, for the last two years. 

Various Wren Group members attended including Paul Ferris and Kathy Harnett, as well as our Chairman Richard Oakman (and ex Forest School pupil) along with Pete and Valerie Saunders.

The clear message that came across was the importance of recording wildlife in one’s local area, and passing that information to not only our own Group for local records, but to share it with the BNA and indeed with those collating world-wide wildlife data through various other bodies.  Everyone can do this on a small scale, just keeping records of your first sighting each year (or any sighting) is important in showing climate change and ecological changes.

Field Workshops included Prof. David Bellamy, Dr June Chatfield and Dr Ken Adams – Finding Mosses & Liverworts; Spider Safari with Tom Thomas, Spring Butterfly Walk with Dr Tim Gardiner; Small Mammal Live Trapping with Martin Hicks; and Owl Pellets Analysis with Michael Demidecki, as well as a field walk; pond dipping and bug hunting with the Lea Valley Park Rangers and lecture sessions in the Theatre.

This was followed by the afternoon Encaenia in the Chapel, with presentations and recognition of ABNAs, MBNAs and FBNAs (see www.bna-naturalists.org/ for further information) being made to various people including Wren Group Chairman, Richard Oakman, being awarded with an MBNA for his contribution to wildlife over the past 30 years.  We would like to congratulate Richard on this notable achievement.

Further presentations were made, culminating in the presentation of the BNA Peter Scott Memorial Award to Simon King, who responded with a light-hearted and illustrative talk: “Naturalist and Camera”.

Valerie Saunders

(As an addition to Valerie's report, whilst Paul and Kathy were participating in the pond-dipping excercise during the day, our friend Jenny Coverdale found a ladybird, which she showed to Paul. He didn't recognise it, so we showed it to Cambridge ladybird expert Professor Michael Majerus, who told us that it was a Water Ladybird Anisosticta 14-punctata, and suggested that the record was worthy of reporting to the UK Ladybird Survey.) (photo)

26 May, Bank Holiday Monday, 1.00 p.m.
City of London Cemetery Nature Tour
George will be leading a walk, meeting on the lawn outside of the Gatehouse Pantry at 1.00 p.m.  Contact George Washington**

28 May, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.
Early summer evening walk in Wanstead Park. 

Once again the weather was not kind to us.  With temperatures during the day of 19 degrees (although not feeling it), the evening was cool, threatening rain and thunderstorms.

Whilst waiting for people to arrive Pete and I watched Swifts feeding low over the Heronry Pond.  Pete said that during that day there had been large numbers of Sand Martins feeding with them (approx. 50), although numbers were not so abundant that evening.  The pair of Swans (which may be the pair reported on the Perch Pond with seven cygnets), were out feeding on the Heronry Pond with their remaining five.  The cygnets were now taking bread from a couple of children closely observed by one of the diligent parent birds that was keeping close guard.  There were numerous Coots nests on the Heronry Pond, we saw some young a few nights ago but not that evening as the temperature was low.  We also heard a Little Grebe calling. 

As no one turned up for the walk (and I have to say we were quite grateful as neither of us wanted to be out in the cold for too long), we decided to have a quick walk ourselves around the Heronry, further observing the Water Crowfoot, which had been at its best around the 19 May after the first downpour of heavy rain.

Following the path between the Heronry Pond and the Shoulder of Mutton Pond we observed at least 50 Jackdaws circling overhead.  Completing this circle, we headed back to the car and home to watch wildlife, via Springwatch, from the comfort and warmth of our armchairs!

Valerie Saunders

31 May, Saturday, 12. noon until 1.00 p.m. Tarzy Wood Talk and Litter Pick

June

Temple opening on Saturdays & Sundays
every weekend throughout the summer.
The Temple will be open both days from 1.00 p.m. until 5.00 p.m.  Go along and visit the Group's display cabinet, and see what activities are going on.

5 June, Thursday, 7.00 p.m. 
Summer evening walk in Sewardstone Marsh.  Meet at Wanstead Library 7.00 p.m.  Tim will be leading a walk at Sewardstone Marsh, Chingford.  NB: As this trip will be by members' cars, please contact Tim to ensure seat availability.  Contact: Tim Burdsey

7th June - National Moth Night

15th - 21st June - National Dragonfly Week

17 June, Tuesday, 8.30 p.m.
Bat Walk at the Hollow Ponds.  Meet by the Boathouse in Whipps Cross Road
Join Richard for a late evening walk, looking mainly for bats.  Contact:  Richard Oakman

23rd - 29th June - National Insect Week

28 June, Saturday, 2.00 p.m.
Picnic in the Park, 28 June 2008

The sun shone with the temperature around 74 degrees – a fine day for a picnic.  Unfortunately, clearly other Group members didn’t think so and only Pete, myself and Paul Ferris turned out for the afternoon and were beginning to feel like Billy-No-Mates. 

The concept was a good one and it was a shame more members did not join us, but through Paul’s links with another group we joined up with four of their members who were holding a MacMillan Cancer picnic to raise funds.  We chatted and shared our bounty and it turned out to be a very pleasurable afternoon. 

Valerie Saunders

July

6 July, Sunday, 10.00 a.m.
Trip to RSPB Reserve at Rainham Marshes. 
Sandra, Richard Oakman, Paul Ferris, and Pete and Valerie Saunders joined Norman Olley at Wanstead Library for a visit to this marshland area which was under development pressure until the RSPBs purchase. This well managed site now offers - among other attractions - Discovery Zones, an Environment and Education Centre and a 2.5 Circular Trail.  After Pete confusing the chap who sold us our entrance tickets by telling him that we had come to see magpies, and Paul following this up with an explanation that we came from a little-known, far-off place called Wanstead, we had a cuppa.

Although not desperately cold on the day we visited, Rainham Marsh has an open aspect and can be exposed. Rain was threatening, although luckily a shower occurred as we were close to the only bird-hide at present on the 2.5 mile route. We did feel quite warm, however, whilst within the open-topped walled surroundings of a munitions facility. Amongst a host of wildflowers - including dramatic Deadly Nightshade - we were treated to lots of insect movements including Ringlet butterflies, which don't occur in our area. Further on, we had lovely views of a pair of Stonechat. There were plenty of other birds to be seen, but nothing particularly outstanding.

On previous visits I've had some really good views of Water Voles, and advised the group to look out for them. As sometimes happens on a walk, eventually the group spreads out into smaller parties, and it was when I was trailing behind the others I spotted one, swimming in one of the ditches alongside a board-walk. Perhaps a bit disappointed, some of the others who had gone ahead a short way were more intent from then on - and I spotted another, just across a ditch from where we were passing, and very close. We all saw it clearly eventually (apart from Val and Pete who'd gone ahead) and we had a wonderful view of it chewing at a reed-stem, then pulling the stem to the ground paw-over-paw, then taking it in its mouth by one end and trailing it as it swam across the ditch almost towards us. It was aware that we were there - you could see its eyes watching us.

Paul Ferris

Temple opening on Saturdays & Sundays
every weekend throughout the summer.
The Temple will be open both days from 1.00 p.m. until 5.00 p.m.  Go along and visit the Group's display cabinet, and see what activities are going on.

16 July, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.
Summer evening walk in Bush Wood and Wanstead Flats.

A nice number of Group members met at The Quakers’ Meeting House in Bush Road to walk in a local area. Looking first at some Swedish Birch that grow in the grounds there, we crossed the road to Bush Wood North, and walked through to see Blake Hall Meadow. This small area of land has been formed adjacent to the pedestrian/cycle routeway that connects Blake hall Road with the Green Man roundabout. It has been seeded with wildflowers, and is managed appropriately for them. Though not quite at its best on this evening (a couple of weeks earlier it had been beautiful) - nevertheless it shows how even small areas adjacent to houses and a busy link-road can attract wildlife and be so attractive to people.

Similarly, even the Green Man roundabout which we walked to has a large number of interesting wildflowers and associated insects. From there, we crossed into Bush Wood south, and had a look at the ancient Sweet Chestnuts, and the sadly dying pond. Moving out into Evelyn's Avenue, we walked down to where the pipeline from Beckton is crossing the Flats, and talked about the work that is being done for this.

Paul Ferris

19th - 20th July - Bat Sunset/Sunrise Survey

20th - 26th July - Save Our Butterflies Week

August

Temple opening on Saturdays & Sundays
every weekend throughout the summer.
The Temple will be open both days from 1.00 p.m. until 5.00 p.m.  Go along and visit the Group's display cabinet, and see what activities are going on.

6 August, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.  Summer evening walk in Wanstead Park.  Meet at the Refreshment Kiosk
Join us for the last of our series of summer evening walks before the nights start closing in.  Contact:  Valerie Saunders

September

7 September, Sunday, 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.  Forest Festival, Chingford Plain
The Group intends to have a display/stall at this event and would welcome volunteers to help for an hour or so throughout the day.  If no volunteers are available, we may not be able to manage the stall. Contact:  Valerie Saunders

20 & 21 September, Saturday/Sunday
Open House Weekend, The Temple
(Opening times may be subject to change from those already given in this programme).  Go along and visit the Group's display cabinet, and see what activities are going on.

**In addition to this programme, George will be leading City of London Cemetery walks for the Group starting at 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays and weekdays every month through to September.  Contact George for dates

OCTOBER 2008

5 October, Sunday 10.00 a.m.: Practical work 
Join us in the first practical work session of the season by clearing the daffodil site on Lincoln Island.  Meet at the Temple. 
Leader: Peter Williams. 

12 October, Sunday 10.00 a.m.:  Recording water bird species in Wanstead Park 
Come along and help with this important recording in our study area.  No experience necessary – pen and pad essential!  Meet: 10.00 a.m. at the Refreshment Kiosk.  Leaders: Richard Oakman or Tim Burdsey

NOVEMBER 2008

2 November, Sunday 10.30 a.m.:  Fungi walk in Bush Wood
Fungi walks are the most requested by our members - and this is certainly one not to be missed.  We are delighted to have Tricia’s expertise in leading this walk for us.  Meet at the gates of the Quaker Meeting House, Bush Wood, E11.  Leader Tricia Moxey    

9 November, Sunday 10.00a.m: Practical work 
Join us for another practical work task which will be suitable for all abilities.  Meet at the Temple.  Leader: Peter Williams. 

 16 November, Sunday 10.00 a.m.:  Recording water bird species in Wanstead Park
Join us for another water bird count on our local lakes.  Meet 10.00 a.m. at the Refreshment Kiosk.  Leaders: Pete and Valerie Saunders

DECEMBER 2008

7 December, Sunday:  Visit to the Geffrye Museum, London
The Geffrye Museum is one of London’s best-loved museums. It shows the changing style of the English domestic interior in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day which will be decorated accordingly for the Christmas festivities.  Leader: Richard Oakman.  Meet on the Westbound Platform of Stratford Station at 11.15 a.m.  Please telephone Richard on 07777 604407 in advance.

14 December, Sunday 10.00 a.m. Practical work 
Join us for another practical work task which will be suitable for all abilities.  Meet at the Temple.  Leader: Peter Williams. 

*** SEASON’S GREETINGS ***

28 December, Sunday, 10.00 a.m.:  Recording water bird species in Wanstead Park
Fed up counting how many mince pies left?  Why not join us to count the water birds and take part in this important area of data recording.  Meet at the Refreshment Kiosk. 
Leaders: Pete and Valerie Saunders

JANUARY 2009

11 January, Sunday 10.00 a.m. Practical work
Chalet Wood, opening up clear entrances/exits from the Bluebell wood to try and eliminate new paths being made and subsequent trampling.  Meet at the Temple. 
Leaders: Pete and Valerie Saunders

18 January, Sunday 10.00 a.m. Recording water bird species in Wanstead Park
Come along and help with this important recording in our study area.  No experience necessary.  Meet: 10.00 a.m. at the Refreshment Kiosk. 
Leaders: Richard Oakman or Tim Burdsey

24 January, SATURDAY 10.00 a.m.  A walk in Epping Forest
Join George Washington for a mystery walk in Epping Forest.  Meet by the W13 Bus Stand opposite Kirkdales Wine Bar, and next to Leytonstone Station. 
Leader: George Washington

FEBRUARY 2009

8 February, Sunday 10.00 a.m. Practical work
Join us for another practical work task which will be suitable for all abilities.  Meet at the Temple.  Leaders: Pete and Valerie Saunders

15 February, Sunday 10.00 a.m. Recording water bird species in Wanstead Park
Come along and help with this important recording in our study area.  No experience necessary.  Meet at the Refreshment Kiosk.  Leader: Richard Oakman or Tim Burdsey

PRACTICAL WORK SESSIONS

To be arranged

NB:  PLEASE CONTACT THE RELEVANT LEADER/CONTACT, IN ADVANCE OF ANY TRIPS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR MEMBERS' CARS

Please contact any of the people listed below for further details of the programme.

Group Chairman:
Richard Oakman: 020 8989 3243

Membership Secretary/Newsletter Editor:
Tom Burdsey
tim@shm-ltd.co.uk or 07887 578518

Contact:
Valerie Saunders: 020 8539 1560 or saundwpm@aol.com

Contact:
George Washington: 07944 551485

Contact:
Norman Olley: 020 8989 0568

Meeting locations:

The Refreshment Kiosk in Wanstead Park can be easily found by entering at the Northumberland Road entrance from the Aldersbrook estate.

The Temple, Wanstead Park, is the white building at the end of the Warren Road entrance, set in the middle of the Plain near the toilets.

City of London Cemetery, on the lawn outside of the Gatehouse Pantry. 

Meeting locations for any trips by public transport or members' cars will be as per the relevant entry.