Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Group received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided an update on the OPM population and its management at the North London Open Spaces (NLOS) Division. Members were advised that OPM’s arrival at the Wood was expected next summer.

In response to a member’s (Muswell Hill Friends of the Earth) question, the Highgate Wood Manager leaflets were available from the NLOS Division and the London Borough of Haringey would publicise themselves once OPM had arrived in the Borough. The Superintendent recommended members to download and read the Forestry Commission’s useful leaflet from their website.

In response to a member’s (Highgate Society) questions, the Wood Manager advised that the introduction of new and additional pheromone traps could encourage more moths but numbers of males would continue to be monitored. He added that contractors would carry out spraying operations at the Wood in spring 2016. Other feeding caterpillar species could be affected by the spraying but there was no research to suggest that the well-used toxin to eradicate OPM would affect predatory birds.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.