Birds of Leabank Square - House & Sand Martins

All the way from Africa - the past few weeks we've had these speedy visitors zooming along the canal feeding on the mozzies.

I'm very sorry about the pics - but these tiny birds are just too quick for me to get a shot of. But I am so happy they're feasting on the mozzies!

First of all we couldn't work out if they were house or sand martins - but after zooming in blearily on the pics - we saw the markings of both.

The house martins spend much of their time on the wing collecting insect prey. Their mud nest is usually sites below the eaves of buildings & they're landing in Gainsborough Schools eaves - so we think they're there. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa.

The sand martins are agile fliers, feeding mainly over water. They will perch on overhead wires or branches - and are landing in the beautiful Sycamore tree along the river.

Do yourself a favour - take a cuppa up to the Purple Garden in the evening after work & marvel at how many mozzies they are sparing us from with their acrobatics.

Leabank Square Cherry Bonanza

Anyone remember back to 2008 - when we planted some tiny cherry trees behind the recycle bins? (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2008/03/cherry-tree.html )

Well look at how one of them is doing!!

Unfortunately - the other one was vandalised last year - and isn't doing so well - but the one closest to the entrance is producing the sweetest cherries you'll ever taste in Hackney!!

There are still a few greenish ones left - so please leave them to ripen & then treat yourselves to a lovely snack.

Well done Leabank Square Gardening Club!

Purple Garden Becomes Art!

Simon Grennan & Christopher Sperandio are 2 of today's more interesting artists & over the past few months they have been showing readers of the Hackney Gazette just who's who in Hackney Wick.

Last November Simon came down to Leabank square & spent a morning interviewing Nadira. The resulting artwork showed the vista all of us in Leabank Square used to see before the Olympics moved in.

Simon interviewed about 20 other residents in Hackney Wick - and got many different views from all over the Wick & Fish island.

It is great to see the Purple Garden getting a reputation for being part of London's Artistic Quarter.

See: http://kartoonkings.com/?p=576

Birds of Leabank Square - Coot

I know the swans are getting all the attention just now – but there is another family being created along the Purple Garden as well.

One of the bird world’s best recyclers – the Coot – has dragged a dumped mattress just a few metres from the swans nest – and have just laid 7 eggs!!

The eggs are slightly creamy (in colour! Don’t go frying any now will you?!) with black speckles. They’re about the same size as regular chickens’ eggs – and mum is very nervous.

If you do go up to the garden – please don’t get too close to the edge – as she gets off the nest at any disturbance.

But please do enjoy this beautiful spectacle right here under our noses! Leabank Square is encouraging all kinds of bio-diversity – in the face of monstrous adversity from across the canal. Well done everyone!

Be Part of Hackney Wicks Future!!

Some of you might know that I have been a member of the Hackney Wick Partnership for a few years. We have been involved in trying to forge a desirable future for the Wick that respects local residents - as well as encourages the local creatives & existing businesses.

We started doing this way before London was even considered for the 2012 Olympics.

We have fed all our work into the Hackney Wick Masterplan, the Olympic Masterplan - and now the new Mayors (Boris that is) Development Plan.

This weekend & next week is another opportunity for you to come & put your thoughts to the brilliant people at London Thames Gateway about what we would all like for the Hackney Wick Hub.

This is the area both to the North (Tower Hamlets side) & South (Hackney side of the Hackney Wick Overground Station.

There are major changes for the areas right next to the sloping ramps on either side of the station. And they would love to hear what you would like to see there.

More cafes? A revitalised Lord Napier? Tree lined squares? Meeting fountain? Better welcoming open spaces? New routes/roads? Hotels?

What would you like to see when you come home after a hard days work? What would make you meet your visitors coming off the Overground with a sense of pride about Hackney Wick?

Please come down to 62 Wallis Road this Saturday 21st May - between 10am & 2pm. And also next Wednesday 25th May from 4pm until 8pm.

This is a great chance for you to be part of our lovely Hackney Wicks future - please try & make it down for a chat!!

Leabank Square Swans - Please Help Them

Yesterday some kids got up onto the riverbank with an adult - and unfortunately smashed & knocked some eggs into the river.

Thankfully a few witnesses have come forward - and the police are now dealing with the matter.

But please could we beg everyone to be as vigilant as possible! There are only 4 eggs left - and this amazing couple need all the friends they can get to look after these remaining eggs.

The swans are - understandably - very nervous now - and the cobb is not going on his usual territorial paddles. He is sticking right by the nest all day & night now.

We have strengthened the fence that was damaged by the vandals - and hopefully they can't get to the nest as easily any more. But please keep an eye out for our swans.

If you see anyone harassing or threatening them - please call the police immediately. They are very aware of what happened - and will respond as soon as they can.

Thank you.

Scratch That! Swans now Expecting Septuplets

These pictures were taken a couple of days ago - and we found 7 eggs on their nest this morning!

Leabank Square Swans Expect Triplets!!

Remember last years family of swans? (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/11/birds-of-leabank-square-swan.html)

Well a couple of them have decided to make our reedbeds a home. This beautiful twosome have made a huge nest on the floating island - and the penn has now laid 3 eggs.

Dad is fiercly patrolling up & down to make sure that no-one gets too close to their nest. He is having a bit of a rough time with the rowers from the clubs on both sides - and was actually clipped on Sunday.

If you're up on the riverbank while they're rowing past - please give them the heads up about the nest - especially when the cygnets arrive.

Also - please don't go too close to the nest - remember swans are protected species - and as such - it's illegal to interfere with them.

But please enjoy this stunning spectacle of nature being played out right on our own doorstep. It all goes to show that if you create a more diverse environment - nature comes to you!

Olympic 2012 Noise & Dust - Part 1007

I know! Same old same old.

Look at this pathetic sound barrier meant to shield Leabank Square from the demolition of the concrete from the old welfare centre. One resident describes it as a fig leaf, another as a cricket white board (no - me neither), and many other descriptions that I can't post up here.

However you describe it - it doesn't actually work.

They're taking the massive concrete blocks - and jack-hammering them into smaller pieces for the wall - with a pair massive diggers. The noise is absolutely thunderous! Not only is it coming straight over - but we're lucky to get the echo of it bouncing off the hideous media centre as well.

But the worst thing about it all - is that they haven't even attempted to suppress any of Arena Fields with any water at all. We are all swallowing mouthfuls of dust, concrete dust, sand - and whatever contaminates there are taking off from their site!

I know we've been here many times before - but doesn't this just go to show just how arrogantly insignificant the ODA considers its neighbours? A pathetic tiny screen to shield us from any noise - and no water suppression. It's only those oiks over in Hackney Wick - why even bother?!