As our Wandle Treasure Hunt project continues, more treasures from our volunteer-researchers are being fished out. With a variety of heritage themes to choose from, the treasures range from man-made buildings and architectural curiosities, both past and present, to more natural marvels such as wildlife. Rich in their variety, the range of treasures reflects the similarly rich heritage of the River Wandle.
A fine example of such a natural, living treasure is the kingfisher, among other birds, that can be found at Beddington Park, near Carew Manor. These small, distinctive, bright blue and orange birds reside by slow moving or still water. Although there are approximately 90 species of kingfishers, all are characterised by having stout bodies with very small feet; short tails; short and rounded wings; and large heads. Their signature long, dagger-like bill helps them to tunnel holes into earth banks in order to build their nests.
But why should the kingfisher set up home along the River Wandle?...
A key factor is for the survival of the kingfisher is water quality. The quality of water not only impacts what lives alongside a river, but also what lives in a river. As its name suggests, this regal bird specialises in hunting and eating fish, but it also feeds on a variety of items such as insects, aquatic insects, tadpoles, reptiles and even birds! On a daily basis, a kingfisher needs to eat its body weight in fish and insects. Indeed, a diet or feast fit for a king!
The River Wandle not only offers this varied menu, but also its water is clear enough for the birds to see their small-sized prey. This is particularly valuable considering that once a kingfisher has dived into the water, it is effectively hunting blind because its eyes are protected by a third eyelid. It therefore needs to have an accurate view of its prey from above the surface of the water so as not to miss its target.
The Wandle also offers nesting opportunities for kingfishers to breed. However, this was not always the case.
Between 1900 and 1935, the London Natural History Society reported kingfishers breeding in the area. Owing to increased pollution levels, no breeding was detected between 1936 and 1971. From the 1980s, although kingfishers were seen in the winter months, they weren’t breeding. Aside from pollution, this partly resulted because the River lacked soft vertical banks into which kingfishers can dig a tunnel leading to a nesting chamber. However, this changed following the storm of 1987 after which the exposed roots plates of fallen tress provided more nesting opportunities.
In more recent years, efforts have been made to clean up waterways in Britain and to create new, man-made places for birds to live. An example of such a man-made nest site is the Spencer Road Wetlands near Hackbridge, which supports pairs of breeding kingfishers.
However, despite such efforts, the kingfisher is listed as ‘amber’ under the RSPCB’s conservation importance categories because of their unfavourable conservation status across Europe more widely. Given that kingfishers are at conservation risk, the fact that they breed and live along the Wandle is very special, and something to be truly treasured.
The Kingfisher in History
During the Victorian era, a popular pastime was collecting kingfisher eggs. With their eye-catching, electric blue plumage, kingfishers often fell victim to their own striking beauty: their feathers were used to produce fishing flies, to adorn the hats and dresses of women in society, and whole birds were stuffed by taxidermists who preserved birds for those keen to decorate their country homes in such a fashion. Yet, not all were in favour of the trends in the treatment of kingfishers: a group of wealthy ladies in Manchester formed a society to take a stand against the plumage trade, protesting against the unnecessary slaughter of such beautiful creatures. By 1889, it had gained enough support and was granted its Royal Charter in 1904 becoming known as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Today, British society continues to be fond of birds, though present-day collectors gather sightings and photographs rather than plumage and stuffed specimens.
According to one of our volunteer-researchers, ‘hearing the high-pitched call and seeing the iridescent blue flash of a kingfisher is always a thrill when walking by the Wandle and never to be expected’.
The Wandle not only holds a rich historical heritage with regard to architecture and significant historical figures; it also offers an escape from the urban wilderness of the city, and an opportunity to get in touch with nature and wildlife right on your doorstep. So why not wander down to the Wandle for yourself – it just might be the perfect way to experience a halcyon day!
* The Wandle Treasure Hunt is a volunteer-led local heritage project where we identify lost treasures along the course of the River Wandle, which spans four London boroughs (Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton and Croydon). The final selection will then be drawn by artist StephanieTheobald and uploaded to a website with an interactive map.
The project is delivered in collaboration with Living Wandle Landscape Partnership Scheme as part of the Industrial Heritage Recording Project.