The Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi in the Wanstead area

The Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi is perhaps the most notable species of spider to be seen in the Wanstead area - except perhaps for that apparently mouse-sized creature that scuttles across our carpets as we watch the television, or peers at us as we are about to climb into the bath. That one, though, is the house spider Tegenaria domestica - and they have been around for a long time.

I first came across Argiope bruennichi  in August 2000, in the Sewage Works site (Aldersbrook Exchange Lands). It was busy wrapping its meal - a tasty looking blue damselfly. Walking carefully through the sturdier stems of grass in the Exchange Lands, in Wanstead Park or on Wanstead Flats, the striking blacks and yellow of this spider makes this species a relatively easy one to spot.

Argiope bruennichi in the Sewage Works, August 2000

That first observation wasn't because I'd overlooked them, but because they were only relative newcomers to this part of Britain. They had first been recorded in Britain in 1922, but for many years were more or less confined to the warmer south coastal counties. They require a minimum of three months of warm weather to breed, and a mild winter. By 2000, these conditions were becoming more frequent even away from the coast, and reports of the spider were coming from further north.It was first recorded in Essex in 1997 in two locations, one in the north of the county and the other in the south. (1). Three years later I saw it here, but whether there are any earlier records for our area I do not know.

A Wasp Spider showing its orb web and stabilimentumArgiope bruennichi is commonly called the Wasp Spider - not because of its stinging habits - but because of its impressive black and yellow colouring. In fact, as far as human beings are concerned (and phobias aside) it is quite harmless.The colouring is thought to act as a warning to predators that it could do them serious harm; my thoughts are think of wasp and avoid. I mentioned the web earlier, and this is cleverly constructed with another device which may fool a prospective predator: adjacent to the centre of the vertical orb-shaped web where the spider tends to lurk is a very noticeable zig-zag structure called a stabilimentum. The purpose of this structures is not absolutely clear, and indeed may have more than one purpose, which may differ in importance from species to species. It may have the effect of making the spider look larger than it really is, or may act as a camouflage. Whatever, the stabilimentum constructed by the Wasp Spider is often a very visible mechanical and aesthetic feature to the human eye.

That first sighting for me of this lovely animal was the first of many, and I have found myself looking forward to seeing them. As far as numbers are concerned, I haven't done any surveys on this. However, even though they tend to be found in rough grassland which is not intensively or regularly mown, the most densely populated area that I have come across is in the rushes and associated vegetation at the edge of Alexandra Lake on Wanstead Flats. It has been easy to stand in one spot and to scan around and be able to see many Wasp Spiders or their distinctive orb-webs. I'm not particularly happy with spiders (one of those childhood phobias) but in the very act of trying to photograph Argiope or any other species, I have found myself eye to eyes with some wonderful creatures. I am quite looking forward to late June through to late September when they may be found.

Paul Ferris, 11 February, 2011

(1) Essex Field Club - Species Account for Argiope bruennichi

More Mink sightings in Wanstead Park

The number of reported sightings of Mink in Wanstead Park seems to be increasing. During the icy weather over the Christmas period, one was seen crossing the ice on Perch Pond, and there have been a couple more reports of them on the same lake since then, even as far up as the islands at the west end. This is further afield than previous sightings over the years which were either on the Ornamental Waters or the Roding.

The most recent report I have received was from Helen G. who wrote : " I just wanted to let someone know that I saw an American mink on the Ornamental Waters today (8th February) at around 4pm. I had a good look with my binoculars and it was clearly a mink and not an otter unfortunately. It was on the island bank of the Ornamental Waters near the pylon where the waters are nearest to the Roding river. I do hope this doesn't mean too much trouble for all the other wildlife on the waters."

Unfortunately, it does mean trouble for other wildlife, for mink will grab whatever they can and are quite general in the predatory habits. They will take both land and water based life including fish and water birds, mammals and reptiles.

Generally speaking, mink don't have any real predators in these parts, so unless they are trapped and dealt with in some way they will prosper at the expense of other wildlife. However, recent reports have shown that the resurgence in many areas of otters has had quite an effect on the mink population. In the Home Counties mink numbers have fallen by as much as 50 per cent with the increase of otters. I haven't seen any certain reasons why this should be, but it does seem that otters displace the minks and in rare cases are are even killing mink in direct combat.

Over the years we do have occasional reports of otters nearby, usually near the Roding of course, but an animal thought to have been an otter was reported within the last couple of months on the Shoulder of Mutton Pond. The Roding is a very healthy river, usually, and it isn't too far fetched to hope that an otter may take up residence somewhere nearby, with Wanstead Park as part of its territory. Perhaps then our mink will leave home.

(see also here)

Paul Ferris, 8th February 2011

Update:

I received this e-mail from a concerned observer and have passed it and the concerns on to Epping Forest's ecologists:

"Dear Paul,

Unfortunately we had close views of a Mink on the Perch pond at 3pm today, 19th March. It was swimming around the little island near the Tea Hut. As you are probably best placed would you mindplease contacting the relevant authorities.

Thank you in anticipation of your actions."

Paul Ferris, 24th March 2011

Update on Aldersbrook Wood

Aldersbrook Wood is a small piece of woodland at the east end of Northumberland Avenue, between the newer housing of the Aldersbrook area and Perch Pond in Wanstead Park.

It is probably almost unrecognised by most - even those living hereabouts - separated from the Park by a concrete fence and traversed only really by an unsightly path from the housing near the riding stables as an access to the Park. I have written more about the wood here.

For many years I have been quietly proposing that the wood needs care, particularly as it is an important buffer between Wanstead Park and housing. It seemed to have been forgotten by its owners, the London Borough of Redbridge, and is a convenient site to either throw local rubbish (for example - I am sorry to have to say - by some people that fish the adjacent Perch Pond) or as a fly-tip. There is a wooden gate at the end of Northumberland Avenue which might have kept some fly-tippers out, but in recent years this has mostly been left open to enable parking for local vehicles.

Since my article - and perhaps since I concocted the name "Aldersbrook Wood" with the deliberate aim of giving the area some status, perhaps - London Borough of Redbridge have got to know about it. I know that the new Head Forest Keeper, Andrew Gammie, showed Redbridge's Senior Conservation Ranger, Francis Castro, the area some time ago.One of the concerns that I have had about  bringing the wood to the attention of Redbridge is that it might be perceived as a ripe piece of real estate!

The access to Aldersbrook Wood from Northumberland AvenueI contacted Francis recently over another issue in these parts, and during our discussion we arranged to meet up to look at the wood and discuss possibilities for its future management. As we entered by way of the open gate, we were met with an area of coarse grassland to our left that had recently been mown. This apparently hadn't been done in anticipation of our visit, but showed that somebody or some department had taken some initiative. It is an open area bordering the wooded part large enough to warrant the machine mowing. A London Borough of Redbridge lamp-post adorns the edge of the road here, which raises the question as to what the status of the road and access here is?

The wood is bordered at its southern edge here by a fence behind which are the houses of "Bunker Villas" in Westmorland Close - not their real name, but a personal reference to the fact that they were built on the site of the nuclear bunker that stood here! A non-surfaced access track leads off the main access road parallel with the fence and between it and a building used by the Woodford District Horticultural Society. Further possible vehicle access into the wood is inhibited by a series of wooden bollards, but nevertheless a substantial amount of masonry had been dumped here - evidently recently - and obviously by a vehicle by way of Northumberland Avenue.

Aldersbrook Wood - the bollards. A gate across the access to this track where the car is parked could avoid fly-tipping this far into the wood

We noted that even if the original gate did now need to remain open, it might be possible to erect a new gate to help prevent that degree of access into the woodland, but that possibility was just conjecture.

Turning right just past the bollards (this side of and to the left of the bollards in the photograph above) leads onto the path that is used for access between the end of Westmorland Close and Wanstead Park. It is untidy, littered and muddy. Somebody has felt that it is an important enough pedestrian route to warrant laying down some rough concrete slabs, and in wet weather these may well prove their worth. It is unfortunate - or rather a shame - that the actual entrance or exit is a narrow gap in a corner between metal fencing. Prior to this present fencing it was possible to continue ahead from this point if required, on an unsurfaced grassy track that separated the houses from the riding school. This actually gave a pleasant aspect to the area, with just a simple barred fence between pedestrians and the horses. Now, heaps of material have been piled against the fence on the stables side at the end of Westmorland Close, presenting a grim aspect with no real view of the somewhat rural setting beyond. The stables and riding school are leased from the council, so surely it would be possible to negotiate for a return to the simple but attractive access and view between Aldersbrook Wood and the lane at the end of Empress Avenue that provides both access to the stables, and is part of the London Cycle Network? Taking that a step further, why not resurface the aforementioned bollard-ed track from Northumberland Avenue, do the same with a re-opened route by the stables, and give pedestrians and cyclists a pleasant route from the east end of Northumberland Avenue into the Aldersbrook Exchange Lands and through to Ilford? This could be an alternative to the present dog-legs through the houses. Well - more conjecture!

Heaped soil and rubbish piled against the grim fence --- "No Dumping"

A narrow gap gives access from Westmorland Close - rubbish is a problem here, and a forbidding fence-line!

Returning to the wood proper, the path into the park is obviously frequently used, and even a small bit of edge-clearance could enhance its attractiveness and ease. Particularly at the eastern side of this path, nearer to the stables, there is a lot of masonry amongst tangled vegetation. I believe that this is not be the result of fly-tipping, but is in fact the remains of buildings associated with the isolation hospital that once stood on the site. This might present some dangers insofar as access to the woods is concerned, but otherwise the impression was that the woods in the main could do with an extensive litter-pick - at least as a beginning - to a future programme of management, perhaps with volunteer assistance.

I suggested to Francis that it might be possible to do some vegetation clearance, perhaps open up some glades from the brambles, and even perhaps cut some paths elsewhere in the wood. Giving the wood some management - showing that people care - I believe goes some way at least to deterring people from casually using it as a litter-tip. Giving a usable pedestrian/bike path between Northumberland Avenue and the track end of Empress Avenue would make Aldersbrook Wood a used resource.

I left Francis after a pleasant enough short tour, discussion and idea session, and with a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Aldersbrook Wood to prove something of its wildlife value. I await with interest what proposals Redbridge may come up with. In the meantime, maybe it would be appropriate for Aldersbrook residents to "Adopt their Wood"?

Paul Ferris, 3rd February 2011

Track resurfacing in Wanstead Park

Late January 2011 saw the beginning of resurfacing work on the track that runs from the Park Road access to Wanstead Park along the north edge of the Heronry Pond and up Warren Lane to Warren Road.

View of site works from Park RoadThat part of the track which follows the eastern boundary of Wanstead Golf Course between Heronry Pond and Warren Road – which I have called Warren Lane for convenience – was itself resurfaced earlier last year, and the new surfacing will presumably be of similar width and material.

I did question the necessity of resurfacing Warren Lane, as I have never perceived it to be a difficult surface to walk on, nor – I would suspect – difficult to cycle on. Albeit it appeared to be a consolidated earth surface, it was quite smooth, quite firm and only in on or two places subject to mud after wet weather. It was also quite wide: easily enough for a pushchair and a cyclist or pedestrian to pass each other. (see here)

"...improve your cycle path"

Similarly, that stretch of track along the north edge of Heronry Pond was a good surface, for walking and cycling, and although not as wide as the surface in Warren Lane, passing has never seemed a problem. It is only a few years old, anyway, I believe. And this was the track by which, in July last year, a lovely stretch of short and insect-haunted grassland was scalped. (see here)  I think I may see why now; was it in preparation for the barrier-fence whilst the present work is going on? You see, that is where the people have to walk for the moment.

However, from the end of the pond to Park Road, the track narrows to pass between encroaching vegetation, and the surface in places can be muddy and even. In other words, it perhaps warranted resurfacing and widening. So why spend money doing all this work, when the majority doesn't really need it?

The route along the north edge of the pond

I ask that question because there are a couple of things that worry me. The notices displayed at the way-leave gates by Park Road – where the track begins – and at the Warren Road and Wanstead Park Avenue entrances to the Park refer to this as improvement "to your cycle path". Is that what it is? I may be being picky, but surely it is a dual-usage path? And I am being picky because there is also a strong campaign to allow cyclists to use routes within Wanstead Park proper – that is, the portion within the fenced surround. At present, bye-laws prohibit this, although those bye-laws are frequently broken.

Now, the arguments for-and-against this are up for discussion. The present suggestion is that a route between Wanstead Park Avenue and Warren Road would be of great benefit to cyclists, alleviating a long detour around Heronry Pond and encouraging an eco-friendly and safe route between Aldersbrook and Ilford. This argument has a lot in its favour, and presumably – from a pedestrian point of view – might have an added bonus in that the cycles would need an upgrade of the present silly surface between the ponds!

Mud and ruts for pedestrians - a typical scene within the Park

But there we have it – from a pedestrians point of view. Because after I had a look at the construction work going on for the “cycle path”, I walked down to the Grotto to see the work that had gone on there, and continued along the west edge of the southern arm of the Ornamental Water, ie between the Grotto and the Dell Bridge. A pedestrian nightmare - as is the opposite edge of the southern arm, where something like porridge has been laid as a surface. The track I was walking on (not officially accessible to cyclists) is a morass of mud and vehicle-churned ruts. This is common in the Park, and makes my visits so often a displeasure and – really – a pain.

The upshot is – why have pedestrians become the losers in this allocation of surface renewals? What with horses in the Exchange Lands and the potential of cyclists in the Park – what is being done regarding the inummerable problems that pedestrians have in and around the Park? Oh, yes; the Wren Group did some work on opening up bramble-grown paths by Northumberland Avenue, by the Shoulder of Mutton, and in Chalet Wood. Well done the Wren Group: one up for nature and pedestrians!

Paul Ferris, 30^th January 2010