Alex Robb our Richmond Area Manager reports from the River Crane following the devastating pollution incident last year:
‘The River froze over this week for the first time this winter, but soon thawed. Ring necked parakeets have been seen in abundance, even on the ice, slipping and sliding about. Flows in the river are seasonally very low and we are still waiting for Thames Water to look at the issue of sewage contamination in the ditches around reed beds on Crane Park Island. The reeds became badly contaminated following the incident and the silt needs to be tested with a view to the overall de-silting of the ditch system, which would have the added benefit of greatly improving water vole habitat on the reserve.’