Beverley Brook Restoration
The South East Rivers Trust is now on site and will be working to improve the river for wildlife throughout October and November. The work requires heavy machinery working on the steep banks of the brook and so crowd barriers have been positioned to keep the work site safe from walkers and dogs. The work involves re-profiling the banks so it will look superficially messy especially if the weather turns wet. However the soil will soon become green again as new vegetation establishes in the spring.
Find out more about the Beverley Brook Restoration Project.
Trick or Treat Run
The Trick or Treat Run takes place on Sunday November 1 and will require the park roads to be closed on the south side from Sheen Cross via Roehampton Gate to Kingston Car Park. Roehampton Gate will also be closed to vehicles.
Gallows Pond
Gallows Pond near Kingston Gate is heavy colonised by an invasive non-native 'weed' New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii. The pond also tends to dry up in summer. This autumn contactors will dig a new pond adjacent to the current one and fill in the 'weed' contaminated pond. They will also restore the ditch that flows out of the pond to the park wall.
Reminder - Deer rut advice for walkers
Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Richmond Park is a nature reserve with herds of wild deer roaming freely. Deer can feel threatened by people and dogs even over long distances. This is particularly during the rutting which starts in September and continues through October. We recommend keeping at least 50m from deer and give them the respect they need during the rut.
Find out more about the Deer in Richmond Park.
Forestry Contractors
Forestry contractors have returned to Sidmouth Woods for the 5th year running to remove Rhododendron ponticumn. This year they will work on the southern area where Rhododendron is mostly on the boundary of the wood. The removed vegetation will be burnt and smoke may be detected nearby.
Herons and Egrets
Most people are familiar with Grey Herons that hunt for fish and amphibians in shallow water. They can often be seen on the Beverly Brook or at Pen Ponds where they also breed in small numbers. Occasionally the smaller Little Egret which is also a species of Heron is seen in the park. It is all white with a black bill and legs, yellow feet and long delicate plumes on its neck and chest. They are stunning birds and have only been seen in England since the mid 80's. They first bred in Dorset in 1996 and as the numbers steadily grow they are more frequently seen.
Please do not take fungi, conkers or chesnuts
Please remember that the park is very special for wildlife and removal of autumn fruits and seeds is illegal and detrimental the park's wildlife. Conkers and chestnuts form an essential part of the deer's diet, without which they would not be able to build up fat reserves needed for the cold winter months.
