It’s Nature’s Way by Dave Clark
We are part of nature - hold that thought.
It was only 4 years ago that the lake in Dulwich Park was redolent of the last days of the Roman Empire; it had become an anarchic law unto itself, a rather fetid stagnant over nutifried mass, populated almost entirely by Canada Geese (over 70), a virulent population of rats who enjoyed the large border areas of bare earth with no vegetation at all.
Nature had become decadent and apathetic, obese and slothful.
Go and take a look now... go on take a look and be proud because we are part of nature and we have shaken ourselves out of our torpidity.
The lake now contains a much more balanced wildfowl population with the natural addition of two new species, Little Grebe (which have successfully bred for three seasons) and Mandarin Duck, whilst the lake margins with those fantastic Bullrushes and Loosestrife have had their first Reed Warbler, a rather anonymous looking but wonderfully vociferous bird. It’s funny that put in some reeds and you get reed warblers... it’s nature’s way.
The insect population has visibly increased. Damselfly, Dragonflies, butterflies abounded this summer and now you can see the bottom of the lake and watch the antics of tufted ducks and grebes as they dive for their food. Nature has become vibrant, exciting, colourful, beautiful and enthusiastic.
Goldfinches are having a successful season; they absolutely adore the big upright teasels in the relatively new copse area of the playing fields. There, where teasels have been planted, it is not surprising that you can see goldfinches along with an abundance of several species of bumble and honey bee.
What has happened in Dulwich Park is a microcosm of what can be achieved more globally. If we stay apathetic, nature’s way is to create a rather drab bloated moribund environment, but if we engage with it, then nature’s way to repay us with vitality and beauty.
These positive changes to the flora and fauna of the park have come through vigilance, education, responsibility, enthusiasm and importantly by opening communication channels. Thanks go to the efforts of the Park Management, the Dulwich Society Wildlife Committee, Dulwich Park Friends and a special thanks to Ric Glenn the head gardener and his team.
