Tag: Litter

So many people have said to me how much Paradise has meant to them this year, more than ever as we enter a second period of lock-down, with winter ahead. We noted with grief the aftermath of a gathering when fences were broken and burnt and mountains of litter, including 4 office chairs and massive quantities of cans and broken bottles, were left behind.   An email to Vic Smith and within 24 hours the whole lot was cleared away. The Rangers have said they will soon repair the fence. Very many thanks to Cambridge City Council for such brilliant and prompt service.  Meanwhile, Simon (Conservation Volunteers) has undertaken to clear the fallen leaves from the boardwalk – again many thanks.

October has been very wet.  A prowl around the swampier areas produced lots of fungi. The swarms of Inkcaps were spectacular, even though they only last a couple of days before dissolving into a black mush. But look closer and there are lots of tiny ones, beautiful colours and patterns. I can’t identify them all, though some are Mycenae family – fragile and bell-shaped. 

The Driftway hedge has been left taller and untrimmed on the Park side, as we had requested in order to improve biodiversity. I expect we will have to remind them next year!  The Rooks  and Jackdaws in Paradise are spectacular, as they gather and wheel around the sky at dawn and dusk. Feral Geese, the seven remaining of the original flock, have returned to the triangle. In the summer, it was so busy there that they departed and set up home on Sheep’s Green, near Robinson Crusoe Island.  I wonder if they will try and nest on the triangle again.

In Lammas Land, a magnificent fairy ring of Shaggy Parasols surrounded a cherry tree  (or did until someone kicked it down, perhaps fearing they were dangerous. In fact, they are very good eating.)

Tawny Owls have been heard hooting, both in Paradise and Fulbrooke Wood. A Kestrel was calling and hunting over Paradise, a Grey Wagtail flicked its way over the Rush and Anita saw the Kingfisher from the river bank in Paradise.  Juvenile Herons (2 at least) and a Little Egret add to the water bird list and today (Nov 8^th) I saw and heard the first of the winter thrushes – some Fieldfares. Malcolm reports 3 Red Kites above the river by Paradise Island – they are becoming increasingly common.

A couple of Hares were sitting in the field above the Meadows this week and in the last days of October, Pipistrelle Bats were active along the hedge there.  We are lucky to have such a choice of wonderful walks.

Olwen Williams Nov 8th 2020