As seems to have been the case now for all of January, the 2nd volunteer morning of 2026 was another overcast and wet day, but this didn’t stop another excellent turnout of volunteers, members of the local “Good Gym” and committee members braving the weather. 

Today’s activity was at the Lasseter Place part of Westcombe Woodlands.  We are usually at the Seren Park part of the woodland but the smaller area at Lasseter Place was the focus for this morning.  We acquired recently several dozen young tree saplings and these have patiently waiting for their moment! 

In fact, the damp weather was perfect to allow for these to be planted as can be seen in the accompanying photos. 

The damp and cold weather’s activities were interrupted by hot refreshments, organised by committee member Gail Stirling. 

Wood chip from felled trees was spread on footpath, providing a useful source of future nutrients when the wood starts to rot. 

Finally, it wasn’t just people observing the action; a fox was spotted in the background inspecting our work!

Our beehives are already showing signs of activity. It might appear to be a quiet time of the year, but ivy, snowdrops, crocuses, mahonias, catkins and hellebores are the food that’s typically available at this time of year. In fact, mahonias can make up a very significant source of food for bees in urban environments.

Last Sunday, the 25th of January, once again we took part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.  This annual event takes place in late January and we were delighted to welcome local wildlife expert Joe Beale.  Joe’s involvement with Greenwich Park and the Greenwich Wildlife Advisory Group is very much appreciated by Westcombe Woodlands, along with his expert knowledge of birds.  The morning event lasted for an hour and ended at around 11:15.  The light rain perhaps reduced the numbers of birds that interacted in the woodlands, but species recorded wood pigeon, wren, parakeet, magpie, gold crest, crow, blue tit, jay, stock dove and robin. The accompanying photo shows Joe Beale surveying the woodland sky.

Last Saturday, the 24th of January, committee members Rich Sylvester and Gail Stirling and another volunteer, were in Westcombe Woodlands to take delivery of several dozen tree saplings. They “heeled in” the delivery of 17 different tree species at the Lasseter Place area of the woodlands until we are ready to plant these during the February volunteer morning. As you can see in the photo, the greenery is laid on top of the soil to discourage our resident foxes from digging up the tree saplings. Some of the species that we took delivery of were blackthorn, silver birch, dog rose, elder, hazel, lime bird cherry, oak and hawthorn.

Earlier this week, former committee member Jerry Avis reviewed the footage of the camera that we have installed in the woodlands.  It’s motion-sensitive, so it picks up movement and records what was happening.  The photos show 2 foxes having a “tussle” in the Oak Glade.  London is a significant stronghold for foxes with much higher population densities than in the countryside.  The availability of shelter, food sources (typically from humans) and allotments or gardens, make urban locations a super habitat.  With larger population numbers, this also means that there are often fights for territory.  Although normally seen as a nocturnal animal, they can be equally active in the daytime.