Jim Green 1.1 THE THAMES ESTUARY: A PERSONAL VIEW For almost 50
years I have lived close to the Thames estuary (Figure 1.1). In the
early 1950s, from our flat in Pimlico, we could walk along the
embankment opposite Battersea Power Station. At low tide, the
exposed mud had large red patches caused by the haemoglobin in
innumerable tubificid worms. These formed the basis of a minor
trade. Men with waders and sieves would collect the worms and sell
them to the aquarium trade as food for fishes.The superabundance of
these worms depended on the gross organic pollution of this reach
of the Thames. Towards the end of the 1950s we moved to Teddington,
within a few minutes' walk from the lock. Casual observation of the
birds on the river indicates an increase in the piscivores over the
last 20 years.Cormorants tPhalacrocorax carbo) are regularly seen,
and grey herons (Ardea cinerea) are more abundant. On a good day it
is possible to see up to eight herons around the weir and below the
lock. Another bird that is now common place in the area is the
great-crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus).The regular mallard (Anas
platyrhynchos)and Canada geese (Branta canadensis)are some times
joined by tufted duck (Aythafuligula)and mandarin
(Aixgalericulata)."
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