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03 Jun 2004 - 31 Dec 2004 Thorn Bush Enclosure Project is a huge success Richmond Hawthorn and Gorse bushes enclosed five years ago to provide a protected area for Park's wildlife have been so successful that they are literally bursting out of their fenced in area. Simon Richards, Superintendent of Richmond Park, and Piers Eley, Chairman of the Richmond Park Wildlife Group, recently inspected the remarkable growth of the self-seeded wild Hawthorns near Conduit Wood. It was Eley who suggested fencing in the thicket just under five years ago. Some of these thorn seedlings, none of which were more than three feet tall at the time of the enclosure, have grown to more than twelve feet in height in just four growing seasons. The reason for this rapid growth is that, prior to the enclosure, deer had repeatedly cropped the thickets to within two feet of the ground. Some of the thorn bushes are probably more than twenty years old and have been able to put their extensive root systems to good use once protected from the deer. Jane Braham, Assistant Park Manager of Richmond Park, said, "The browsing of the deer is essential to maintaining the Park's open grasslands. However, it limits natural regeneration of the trees from seedlings and the establishment of a shrub layer, which is a very valuable habitat for wildlife. Temporary enclosure is a useful technique to create greater habitat diversity in the Park." The new thorn and gorse thickets are popular havens for many forms of butterfly and insects, and they have already been used as nesting sites by several different species of bird, including Long-tailed Tits, Robins, Stonechats, and Whitethroats. The enclosure's attraction to small mammals and lizards is also evident from the almost constant presence of Kestrels in the area. It is anticipated that, when the fencing is removed after a few more years, the resultant thickets will be able to withstand cropping by the deer and provide a valuable continuing addition to the ecology of the Park. As a result of the success of these initial enclosures, The Royal Parks, assisted by the Wildlife Group, has started a programme aimed at identifying groups of thorns and various seedlings in other areas of the Park that could benefit from similar enclosure. - ENDS - Source: The Royal Parks The Royal Parks Press Office, T: 0207 298 2128 E: press@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Editor's notes: Richmond Park is London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, a candidate European Special Area of Conservation and a Grade 1 Listed landscape. Species records for the Park include 49 grasses, rush and sedges; over 250 fungi; more than 1000 beetles; 546 butterflies and moths; 139 spiders; 144 birds; and 25 mammals. Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park. |
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