Den Building
Richmond Park is protected for its dead wood habitats as it is one of the most important places in England for insects and other organisms that depend on decaying wood. Disturbing deadwood can be detrimental to this wildlife.
The park is also a public open space, where families can spend quality time together and children can experience the natural environment.
So, den building poses a dilemma which needs to be managed with the right balance between park conservation and public use.
Den building is discouraged because when dens become too large, numerous, attract litter or look as though they may fall down on a child, they are a safety concern.
The Royal Parks do periodically remove dens and will either chip wood or secure it in a nearby enclosure. A certain amount of wood is left on the ground where it can support the deadwood species undisturbed.
Pembroke Lodge Car Park
Pembroke Lodge Car Park works were largely completed before Christmas. Another section has been properly surfaced and an interceptor tank has been installed to prevent any pollutants that are washed off the car park from entering into the park ditches and ponds. The pedestrian area through the disabled parking appears to be working well.
Works will continue into January – planting the central reserves is largely complete and a couple of enclosures have been created on the opposite site of the road. These have 3 functions – they help to visually screen the car park, they offer some useful habitat to wildlife and they also help to steer pedestrians to cross at the raised crossing points.
Responsible Dog Walking
All dog waste in the park must be immediately collected, no matter where a dog goes. Leaving dog waste is antisocial, a health hazard and enriches what should be nutrient-poor grassland.
During the autumn the Police issued 2 fixed penalty notices and several cautions to dog walkers that failed to collect after their dogs.
The Royal Parks also require that dogs are kept under effective control or on a lead and have a tag with a telephone number on their collars, this way any dogs found wandering can be quickly reunited with their owners.
Grey Squirrels
Grey Squirrels are particularly active in January as their courtship and mating is at its peak. There is a hierarchy amongst squirrels with older larger, males being dominant to younger males. Females are generally submissive to males unless they have litters when they will dominate an area when they need to feed.
In January, groups of up to ten males can be seen chasing females in season. It is usually, but not always, the dominant male that mates and the young are born 44 days later. Older more experienced females may also have a second litter in the summer.
