Swans feed in the water and on land.
These bonds are maintained year
They are almost entirely herbivorous,
round, even in gregarious and mi-
although they may eat small amounts
gratory species like the tundra swan,
of aquatic animals. In the water food
which congregate in large flocks in the
is obtained by up-ending or dabbling,
wintering grounds. The nest is on the
and their diet is composed of the roots,
ground near water and about a metre
tubers, stems and leaves of aquatic and
across. Unlike many other ducks and
submerged plants.
geese the male helps with the nest construction. Average egg size (for the
Mute swan threatens a photographer
mute swan) is 113Ă—74 mm, weighing
in Toyako, Japan.
340 g, in a clutch size of 4 to 7, and
Although swans only reach sexu-
an incubation period of 34–45 days.
al maturity between 4 and 7 years of
With the exception of the whistling
age, they can form socially monoga-
ducks they are the only anatids where
mous pair bonds from as early as 20
the males aid in incubating the eggs.
months that last for many years, and in some cases these can last for life.
Swans are known to aggressively pro-
The lifespan of the mute swan is often
tect their nests. One man was suspect-
over 10 years, and sometimes over 20,
ed to have drowned in such an attack.
whereas the black-necked swan survives for less than a decade in captivity.
Memorial Benches A memorial bench or memorial seat is a piece of furniture which commemorates a person who has died. Memorial benches are typically made of wood, but can also be made of metal, stone, or synthetic materials. Typically memorial benches are placed in public places but are often also placed in domestic gardens. There are no designated bench locations. However, members of the council allow members of the public to suggest a location then check to see if it is available. If the exact location is not available, an alternative one is agreed. The cost of a memorial bench depends on the size of the bench, the type of installation and the type and size of inscription preferred.
This oak tree is the oldest in the park. Oak trees are most comminly known as a tree you would most likely find in your local park. However, many species of oaks are under threat of extinction in the wild, largely due to land use changes, livestock grazing and unsustainable harvesting. For example, over the past 200 years, large areas of oak forest in the highlands of Mexico, Central America and the northern Andes have been cleared for coffee plantations and cattle ranching.
There is a continuing threat to these forests from exploitation for timber, fuelwood and charcoal. In the USA, entire oak ecosystems have declined due to a combination of factors still imperfectly known, but thought to include fire suppression, increased consumption of acorns by growing mammal populations, herbivory of seedlings, and introduced pests. In a recent survey, 78 wild oak species have been identified as being in danger of extinction, from a global total of over 500 species being left in the world.
Animal Totems In the park, there a number of little wodden carvings, including these squirrel totems. In totemism, the squirrel is often a messanger. It normally symbols for us to have more fun. Most likely we’ve been so busy taking life so seriously that we have forgotten that play is an important part of our lives too.
On another note, squirrels can also be signaling that we have to take a look at practical matters such as retirement, insurance, or even simple repairs. Are we adequately prepared for the years to come?
Animal Totems The bird is also a promenant feature on these totem poles. The bird is generally thought to symbolism freedom. this is because they can walk on the earth and swim in the sea as humans do, but they also have the ability to soar into the sky.
Birds are free to roam to earth and the sky as they please. Many cultures believe that they symbolise eternal life; the link between heaven and earth. However, different spieces of bird have different symbolic meanings behind them, so it is impossible to find a more detailed role .
Raphaels park is home to a wide variety of different flowers. One spieces includes the Purple Coneflower. Depending on the climate, it blooms throughout spring to late summer. Its cone-shaped flowering heads are usually, but not always, purple in the wild. Its individual flowers (florets) within the flower head are hermaphroditic, having both male and female organs in each flower. It is pollinated by butterflies and bees. Its habitats include dry open woods, prairies and barrens, as well as in cultivated beds. Although the plant prefers loamy or sandy, well-drained soils, it is little affected by the soil’s pH.
Another flower is the Corn Marigold. These bright-yellow daisies pump out their sunny blooms for most of the summer. They look great in groups and produce a ready supply of nectar for pollinators, helping to pollonate amd maintain all the other flowers within the park.
Bank and River Flowers In Raphaels Park, not only are there flow-
be 1.5 m or more in width. The stems are
ers growing in the park. but also by the
reddish-purple or red to purple and the
lake. Calla lillies are among one of these
flowers are also a reddish purple.
plants. Calla lillies are also known by such other common names as: viz., arum lily,
Water lillies are also present in Raphaels
trumpet lily, Pig lily, or Miniature Calla
park. Water lilies are rooted in soil in bod-
Lily. Calla lilies are native to Southern Af-
ies of water, with leaves and flowers float-
rica. Calla lilies are easy to grow and are
ing on the surface. The leaves are round,
generally grown from a bulb or rhizome.
with a radial notch in one side of the leaf. They can come in a wide variety of col-
Another plant grown by the lake are Pur-
ours, from white to pink to orange. In the
ple-loosestrifes. Other names for this
park, they averagely grow to the sizes of
plant includes: spiked loosestrife, or pur-
60cm-1.5m.
ple lythrum. They can be found in ditches, wet meadows and marshes and along sides of lakes, and tend to grow up to about 1–2 m tall, forming clonal colonies, which can
Wild Lilies
Raphael Park wins at London in Bloom 2015 Raphaels has won a number of awards, including the London in Bloom competition. As part of the RHS Britain in Bloom scheme, it has recognised Raphael Park as one of the capital’s most beautiful open spaces by awarding it the gold prize for Heritage Park and Garden of the Year. CBA successfully supported the London Borough of Havering by procuring HLF funding and delivering a restoration scheme for the park that included regeneration of a historic lake and the associated parkland setting, restoration of the Park Lodge and Sports Pavilions, incorporating the provision of a new café, community space and ancillary kiosk facility.
The Mayor even said: “I was extremely proud to receive these prestigious Awards on behalf of Havering Council’s Parks and Streetcare staff. It’s their hard work that was being recognised by the judges, and they’ve done a fantastic job.”
Raphaels park Editorial Created by Katie Lewin October 15th 2015