Myxomatosis reported on the park 7th March 2026.

 A Rabbit suffering from myxomatosis has been reported from the Park on the 7th of March. It was seen at the Newton Drive end of the Park. Details have been reported to East Herts and advice given to visitors through our Facebook group. A tour of the whole park today including the Spring Hall Field area has not found any more cases. There is a lot of rabbit evidence in terms of scrapes, droppings, paths and fur from fighting. 3 live rabbits were seen in healthy condition but thankfully nothing suffering from myxomatosis as yet.

Pleased to see that rabbit's appear to be using the burrows damaged by Bramble removal.

 There is evidence that rabbits are using the burrows that were originally within Bramble thickets, the evidence being droppings at the entrances.

First signs of life on the trees. 5th March 2026.

 The Elder budburst is one of the first signs that the Woodland Trust ask us to keep an eye open for and this Elder tree in the Maple belt is well advanced.

In spite of the fact that Dutch Elm disease still strikes this tree they nevertheless survive somehow and this one is on flower along the ditch from the main road.

Cowslips showing new leaves. Thurs 5 March 2026.

 I

t is too early for cowslips to be on bloom but the new leaves are pushing through.

Warm weather entices insects out.

 A lovely sunny afternoon with the temperature at 18 degrees centigrade. 7 Spot ladybirds out and about in some numbers and Bluebottles and Grey flesh flies sun basking fences and tree trunks.

Lichens on the Park as indicators of air quality.

 The following pictures show lichens growing on tree stumps or trunks. They are all nitrogen tolerant which means that they can grow where the levels of air pollution are quite high. This is to be expected because of the main road running along the West side of the park. The Yellowish one is Xanthoria, the one with black spots is Lecidella, the grey green crusty one is Flavoparmelia, the one with greenish spikes is Cladonia and the dusty grey one is Lepraria.

 

Peacock butterflies. Thursday 5th of March 2026.

 Several pairs of Peacock butterflies flighting and jousting along the ditch which runs from the main road this afternoon. Lovely sunny day with temperatures 18 degrees Centigrade this afternoon.