efog-blog
Recent outings and activities...
Fingringhoe Wick - a visit to Ann's Reeds
Twenty-two group members and past members visited Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve on Sunday 21st April 2024, to see Ann Lowther’s bench and the area named Ann’s Reeds in her memory, and to remember Ann and Duncan Lowther.
Ann and Duncan were long-time members of the Epping Forest Outdoor Group – both Ann and Duncan joining in the very early days of the group at the beginning of the 1960s. At the time that Ann died in March 2014, the Essex Wildlife Trust was running a campaign to raise money to add a considerable amount of land to their nature reserve at Fingringhoe Wick, on the River Colne south of Colchester. The plan was to purchase farmland adjacent to the reserve, and breach the sea wall to enable the river and the sea to reclaim the land and create a large area of shallow water, suitable for a wide range of birds and other creatures to use the habitat.
Ann and Duncan had put some money aside to do some travelling in their later life, but Duncan decided after Ann’s death that he would prefer to donate some of it to enhancing the environment, something that both he and Ann were passionate about.
Duncan talking with the CEO in 2017
The group's visit to the same location in 2024During 2014, I went with Duncan to the headquarters of the Essex Wildlife Trust at Abbotts Hall Farm to meet with the then CEO to discuss a possible donation and what it would mean for the campaign. The donation would make a big difference to the cost of the work involved, and Duncan asked that perhaps an aspect of the new area of reserve might be named after Ann, in commemoration. It was agreed that a bed of reeds (Phragmites), fed by a stream running near the edge of the reserve could be called Ann’s Reeds. This could be a habitat for birds such as sedge and reed warblers, Savi’s warblers and perhaps bittern.
The sea wall was breached in September 2015, and members of the group were invited to go along to see this take place. A 22-hectare area was flooded, creating a new area of saltmarsh and mudflats. Because of the stream, a saline environment was created in one corner, enabling the growth of reeds – Ann’s Reeds.
Duncan and I then went back to Essex Wildlife Trust to discuss the provision of a commemorative bench, paid for by donation from the Epping Forest Outdoor Group.
On Sunday 21st, group members met at the visitor’s centre and then set out to visit the reed bed and bench, and of course see something of the rest of the reserve.
A bee-fly (Bombylius major)My own experience of the day was of being given a lift there by Christine and Peter of Wanstead, group members who knew Duncan and Ann well. The lift from Wanstead was much appreciated as the reserve is otherwise very difficult to get to by public transport, necessitating probably a cab from Colchester. I had been introduced to Fingringhoe Wick in 2002, by a friend whose favourite place it was. It became a favourite of mine, too, so apart from the association with Duncan and Ann, the place holds special memories for me.
As I got out of the car, almost the first thing I was aware of was the sound of a cuckoo – the first I had heard this year. They are not nearly as common as they used to be, so good to hear that. The three of us joined other EFOG members in the visitor centre before we set out under Fergus’ guidance to walk to Ann’s Reeds. He did ask me if I remembered how to get there, and I thought that I did. However, I haven’t been there for some years, my memory was faulty, and we didn’t exactly get there by a direct route. Well, it was a direct route, but we had to backtrack a couple of times to reach it.
The cuckoo wasn’t calling any more, but I was aware of chiffchaffs and blackcaps singing, amongst other bird song and sounds. And of course, a lot of the other sounds were coming from the chatting of people who perhaps hadn’t seen each other for some time. Always when there are large-ish groups of people – even on nature walks, which this wasn’t – it is sometimes difficult to point out aspects which some might be interested in. But I did spot one of my favourite creatures – a bee fly – and managed to at least show a few people this lovely little thing. There were lots of ‘felts’ by the track-ways: squares of material left down on the ground to enable reptiles such as adders and grass snakes, and lizards such as slow worms, to have shelter and get warm in the early sunshine. They are best not disturbed to see if there is anything sheltering, and I don’t think any of the group did. The reserve is a favourite of badgers, and we saw numerous signs of their diggings as we walked around.
Ann's bench in 2017
...and the bench in 2024We reached Ann’s Reeds, where part of the sea wall gives views over the reed-bed and lagoon on one side, and over salt-marsh on the other. It is on the sea wall that Ann’s bench is located, looking decidedly aged, with lichens growing on it and now looking out towards the salt marsh rather than across the reed bed as it was originally placed. The ageing, and the lichens, are not surprising given the open exposed environment here. Below the sea wall, by the reed bed, is a really nice information board about the reeds, complete with a reference to the donation that made it possible. Nearby is the Kingfisher bird hide, but from a viewpoint adjacent to this there was the wonderful sight of large numbers of knot in the distance, their colours going from light to dark as they flew in a twisting, turning, flock similar to that of starlings' murmuration.
To see more of the reserve we walked northwards towards the distant Margaret Hide on the edge of the lagoon. From this large hide we were able to see an avocet, oystercatchers, shelduck and Canada geese. Organiser Sue Stirling gave a little talk to remind us of why we had come here, and to thank Edwina Simpson for helping her to arrange the two days of memorial visits. Indeed, there were thanks all round.
Ann's Reeds information boardSome of us continued the walk a bit further north, whilst others returned to the visitor centre. At one point, the sound of a lesser whitethroat was heard. They are not that common, so was an appreciated sound. There were skylarks, too – again a bird that is getting less common with declining habitat.
Returning southwards along higher ground, we reached a point where there is more scrub and woodland, and through which the stream that feeds the reed bed flows. The group that I was with was smaller now, so it gave me an opportunity to suggest that there was a particularly nice path that one could take to the west, between woods and fields, which eventually would lead to the access road to the visitor centre to return there. The reserve was created on the site of gravel quarries, so in fact had been very industrial at one time, and the suggested path snaked through these. This area had been used by the reserve, but hadn’t belong to it. Duncan’s donation helped the campaign to over-top the amount required for the creation of the lagoon habitat, and the Trust had been able to buy this woodland.
A not-very-good photograph of a nightingale at Fingringhoe WickThe industrial aspect of the site is not so visible any more: nature has taken over. And because we had assembled to talk about this, I was also able to point out that one of the bird songs that we were hearing was that of a nightingale. Nightingales are so scarce in Britain now that you can’t even hear them in Berkeley Square. Not that you ever could, of course, and the song is really saying that. But Fingringhoe Wick is one of the few places where you can still hear them. I’d heard a few as we set out, and there were a couple of others less evident than the one nearby to us, but it’s such an unfamiliar sound these days I suspect that few of the group realised what it was.
I stayed behind to listen, and make a recording, as the others moved on towards the nearby visitor centre. As I walked back, listening to nightingales, blackcaps, chiffchaffs and other species, I noted orange-tip butterflies and spring beauty flowers, as well as some insects that looked new to my experience. The visitor centre was busy – mainly with EFOG people queueing for various long-to-process varieties of coffee, I suspect, and the usual carrot cake. Chats and reminiscences later, group members began to depart, until Christine and Peter asked if I was ready, and we left with goodbyes.
My thanks particularly to Sue Stirling and Edwina Simpson for doing so much work in organising the weekend, and to Fergus for leading us on the tour of the reserve. And also to Christine and Peter for giving me the opportunity to get there and catch up with my friends from the group.
Paul Ferris 23rd April 2024
Perivale to Northolt Walk
Easter Saturday - 31st March 2024 - was warm and sunny, just perfect for a good walk, the latest of my hilly London walks. Having met Cathy, Richard and Lorraine at Stratford station we took the central line to Perivale where we met Louise and Ken, who were on the same train as us, and were soon joined by Laurel and Fozi. We set off heading towards the Grand Union Canal and Horsenden Hill. Crossing over the canal we turned toward Horsenden Farm and visitor centre, where we had an early refreshment break (we’d only been walking 15 minutes!) at the pop-up cafe.
Suitably refreshed we started the climb up to Horsenden Hill, with fine views of the City and surrounding area on our route. It wasn’t too muddy, but was a good climb. We reached the disc and foot golf course and edged round this to the trig point on the grass plateau at the summit of the hill offering superb panoramic views. After taking in the views we descended to an old car park and followed the path down back to where we crossed the canal and turned to walk along the towpath.
We shortly reached the turn-off to Greenford station, where Fozi left us, heading off through an enclosure housing a family of beavers recently introduced into the area, whilst we continued along the towpath. After a while I spotted a couple of cormorants sunning themselves at the top of a tree and it then turned out there was a whole row of trees, each which two or three cormorants perched at the top of them, basking in the warmth of the day, and maybe scanning the canal for their next meal.
After a couple of miles we turned off the towpath and headed towards Northolt, passing under the A40 to Northala Fields, a park opened in 2008. We headed to the cafe for some, this time, well earned refreshments. Afterwards we climbed the second highest of the 4 man-made hills, created from the rubble of the old Wembley stadium and White City shopping centre redevelopment. Whilst not as high as our first hill, the views were still pretty good. When I reccied the walk I spent ages watching a Red Kite fly between the 4 hills, but no sign of any today. We then walked over to the lakes where a couple of swans were nesting in a fenced off area.
Exiting the park, I was still looking for a Kite, but no luck. We exited the park and walked up back to Northolt station. It had only been about 5½ miles but with all our stops had taken nearly 6 hours, but it had been a very enjoyable day. As we waited at the platform, Cathy suddenly shouted at us and pointed skywards, and there flying over the station was a.......pigeon, no a Red Kite. It just shows you never know where or when something may turn up.
Trev (pathfinder) Eley
Oak Trail walk, Epping Forest
It has been raining for weeks, everything is saturated but the sky was dry when we met at Theydon Bois on Sunday 17th March for the Oak Trail walk. Trevor, Annick and Parvis joined me for the walk.
We headed off to the Great Gregories, noticing the plentiful quantity of mud as we climbed. The background noise increased as we approached the M25 and was very loud as we walked over the bridge. On towards Ivy Chimneys and the very muddy path between the houses there, we noticed that it seemed a fair number of walkers had been there before us, judging by the chewed up ground.
Into the little playground there and we couldn’t resist having a go on the zip wire. Then it was another puffing ascent as we climbed towards Bell Common where we stopped for a drink and the loo at the Forest Gate pub. Peter, Maz, Ken and Diana met us there and Ken decided to join us for the remainder of the walk.
It was pleasant walking along surfaced paths instead of mud as we went through Epping Thicks, stopping briefly to view Ambesbury Banks. Through Jacks Hill car park, we turned off at Hatgate Plain after the Ditches and headed down the track to the stream. Here we took care to get Ken across the stream but he slipped as he touched the other bank and, beautifully choreographed, Trevor stepped back into the stream, up to his knee, and Parvis fell flat on his back into the stream. Annick and I were very helpful ….. no we weren’t, we were laughing too much. No injuries so after a bit of drying off we proceeded up the hill to the deer sanctuary. No deer could be seen unfortunately so we walked on to Coppice Row and down the hill to Theydon Bois where the walk finished.
We wished we had been videoing the stream crossing!
Brian, 17th March 2024
Forty Hall Estate and Hilly Fields Walk
Saturday 24th February saw a bright and sunny morning after 2 days of almost continuous rain. Cathy, Lorraine (Cathy’s friend), Louise, Richard and I arrived at Turkey Street station, and were soon joined by Jill S. and Sue, and after a while, by Annick and Peter who had problems with the Central Line.
With all nine of us (a good turnout) now arrived, we set off from the station following the London Loop footpath, heading towards Forty Hall Estate, alongside Enfield Cemetery before crossing the A10 via the “step aerobics” bridge, and continuing on the loop to enter Forty Hall Estate. Ignoring the path to the left we continued ahead with Turkey Brook, which was flowing fast after the recent rain, to our right and woods and ponds to our left, stopping to admire some fungi which had grown on some fallen trees, like a fungi city. After a diversion to avoid a length of flooded footpath, we exited the park and crossed the road to enter Hilly Fields Park.
Entering the park, we followed the lower path beside Turkey Brook before eventually turning right to cross over the brook and heading uphill, with a grassed area to our left, to St John’s Church for our lunch break. The churchyard offered several seats, although they were well spaced throughout the garden, and was an ideal place for lunch at the halfway point of the walk.
After lunch, a brisk saunter downhill saw us briefly enter into Whitewebbs Park before retracing part of our outward walk, with Turkey Brook now on our left. After a while, we turned right towards the hall, heading uphill through the woods and some wet and muddy fields, not helped by the short shower of rain which was now falling, and passing the grazing cattle.
We soon reached the hall and headed for the cafe for a drink and some shelter from the rain. However, there was a considerable queue and we were then informed that they were running short of food and drinks, so as the rain had now stopped we headed off. We had a look at the front of the hall and the pond constructed in front of the hall, before heading downhill to rejoin the London Loop and retracing our footsteps back to the station, a total distance of about 6 miles. .
It had been a good walk, with a few wet and muddy spots, but not a bad as I had originally feared given the recent rain, and we all made it back in good spirits.
Trev “Pathfinder” Eley
Photos by Jill S.
Walking the Green London Way, from Wimbledon to Richmond Park.
Four members met on January 28th 2024 (myself, Richard, Trevor and Eileen) to continue walking the Green London Way. I’d started doing this “around London” route in 2014, but had to stop due to family circumstances in 2016. (See here for the last in that series)
It was good to pick up where we left off. The weather couldn’t have been better – an unexpectedly sunny and warm day, providing lots of promises of spring on-the-way. We began in Wimbledon itself, as we walked to Wimbledon Common, looking at the huge variety of houses reflecting the different populations which had settled there as a result of the spread of coaches, trains and trams. We passed what must be one of the oddest listed building in London – a Victorian electricity transformer, and heard about the origins of the first World Tennis Championship (in 1877) including the prophecy (by the first champion) that “Lawn tennis will never become one of the great games”.
The main part of the walk took us across Wimbledon Common, by far the largest in London. It included a visit to Cannizaro Park. As in previous walks, we discovered how we could easily have lost access to this former estate, had it not been for the persistent efforts of ‘ordinary’ people who prevented the common being sold-off and enclosed in the 1870s. Today, even in winter, the variety of natural habitats, flora and fauna was obvious. The nightingales might now be long gone, but there was no dearth of beauty everywhere we went. The Windmill – once a quite dangerous place as well as a popular duelling spot, provided a welcome break.
The last leg of the walk took us through a forested area of the common. This proved to be a bit of a challenge. Writing this, I NOW know where I went wrong! I set off from the wrong corner of the car park and the wrong entrance to a golf club (there are a lot). Sorry folks. Fortunately (especially when the leader had forgotten to put a back-up map in her rucksack), the wonderful EFOG team work came into play when I finally admitted I was definitely lost! By combining knowledge from compass and map reading sessions, similar experiences, asking passers-by, and trying to interpret different phone ‘trackers’, we finally got back on track and reached Beverley Brook. Even so, we had walked an estimated 8 miles instead of 6 (the original maximum estimate). Hopefully, that won’t put off my 3 amigos (or anyone else) from walking with me again in future? I promise I will not forget the map again – and will bring a compass as well.
The next walk in this series, from Richmond Park to Kew Bridge will be on Sunday April 14th. “Will anyone be brave enough to come?” I ask. I hope so.
Pam, 31st January 2024