The New Year began as it always does with Trevor‘s ‘Walk off the Wine’ circumnavigation of all 12 areas of the Common. The event was cancelled a year ago so it was nice to get together again.

Another seasonal event is the big woodland litter picks. These allow us to clean up the woodland areas before the nesting season begins, after which wildlife is left undisturbed. There will be a second pick on February 12th.

Our birdwalk leads Nick and Barbara each led small groups for the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Highlights included gold crest, little grebe and, flying over, two great black backed gulls and a red kite.

Heritage events kicked off with a fascinating ‘Magical History Tour’ by Philip Boys, starting from Wandsworth Common, exploring as far as darkest Africa with Stanley and Dr Livingstone, and back again. So many intricate connections with articles in our book.

The planting season is in full swing. Several of our 150th anniversary tree donors turned out to watch 15 trees planted on the west side of the Common. At the end of the month a team of volunteers got together under the supervision of Mick, Enable’s new biodiversity officer, to start a major hedge and shrub planting project, sponsored by the MAC. This will see three areas of the Common planted with a mixed hedge of hawthorn, hazel, grey willow, dog rose and spindle. We are also looking to introduce more gorse to the Common. Readers of our book will know this was once the primary form of vegetation on the Common, but only a few patches now remain. It’s perfect for pollinators, while all the new planting aims to increase biodiversity and in some cases act as a ‘green screen’ against pollution. More planting in February if you’d like to take part.