-Conservation Area
About This Site
This site is meant as a resource for everyone. There should be enough information to provide a useful introduction to schools and individuals planning a visit to the Conservation Area. It will also hopefully prove valuable to those trying to obtain records of species and habitats in the London area. This is the first edition of the site and it will, no doubt, become improved and expanded with every update. It would be very helpful if after you have finished reading here you could email your comments and suggestions to us. It will show us that the site is being used. In the future climate data and full species lists are planned, with regular updates and analysis. As informative as this site is, nothing beats the real thing so when you have the time come along and investigate for yourself.
INTRODUCTION
Alexandra Park is without doubt the most ecologically diverse site in Haringey. It has been designated as an Ecologically Valuable Site of Borough Importance, with the Conservation Area of the park getting a Grade 1 ranking recognising its greater ecological value. Habitats of the park include meadow, scrub, secondary woodland, formal parkland, pond and a lake. The value of the park is enhanced as to the east it is bordered by the New River, Wood Green Reservoirs and also the railway. At west end of the park lies the start of the Parkland Walk, which is the old railway line from Alexandra Palace to Finsbury Park. These are both fantastic corridors for species to move into and out of the park. The management of the habitats is designed to maintain the diversity of the area, thus trying to prevent succession from occurring in certain sites, and removing invasive non-native plant species such as Japanese Knotweed and Sycamore. The Conservation Area is situated in the southeast corner of the park - next to the reservoirs and there is a small information centre that is open during the week to members of the public. The area is managed by the Conservation Officer who is also available to conduct tours for schools or other groups. Species data is primarily recorded by a group of birdwatchers who frequent the park, their data proving invaluable. There is a group of volunteers who meet on the first sunday of every month, this has proved to be very enjoyable to all who participate.
AREAS OF INTEREST
• CONSERVATION AREA:
Approximately 2ha in size this area has been managed for nature conservation since 1980. Before this it had various uses such as a rifle range and was part of the old racecourse. It consists of secondary woodland, meadow, a pond and various areas of scrub. The woodland is Ash dominated with Oak, Horse Chestnut, Elm, Holly and Hawthorn also present. Ground cover is mainly Ivy. There are several mature Oaks in this area that are estimated at between 200 - 300 years old. Such dates would mean that they would have been part of the old Tottenham Wood, before it was cleared for farmland in the late 18th Century. The meadow is botanically species poor though there are two planted clumps of Snakeshead Fritillary - which is a nationally rare species. The scrub is dominated by Bramble, Privet and Greater Willowherb. The pond is between 15 to 20 years old and is dominated by Greater Reedmace. Management is needed every year to keep some open water. The locally rare Greater Spearwort is present here. The Conservation Area as a whole provides a superb habitat for invertebrates, especially butterflies and dragonflies, and thus also for insectivorous bird species. A Water Vole was recorded in one of the drainage ditches in December 1998, however it has not been seen since. Three species of bat have been recorded in the conservation area - Pipistrelle, Daubenton's and Noctule.
• BLANDFORD HALL:
The old banqueting hall burnt down in 1971 and since a self-seeded Birch dominated secondary woodland has developed. There is a diverse scrub layer with Hornbeam, Seesile Oak, Beech and Yew being of most significance. This site also boasts the Park's only orchid, though this is just a single Common Spotted Orchid plant. The area has not really been managed in the past, save for removing Sycamore, and this is expected to continue.
• BOATING LAKE:
The condition of the boating lake is very poor. It needs dredging and this is likely to occur in the next year or so. A recent plankton bloom reduced oxygen levels sufficiently to kill a large number of fish, including pike. This has had a positive effect on the number of ducklings. Pochard, rare nationally, have produced 43 young, from just 6 pairs. Aswell as Coot, Mallard and Canada Goose, Ruddy Duck have also bred.
• SEA SCOUTS SITE:
The concrete base of the old building remains and has been partially colonized by grasses. Surrounded by bramble patches and some mature Ash, Oak and Horse Chestnut this area has been very valuable to butterfly species, most notably the White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks. Sparrowhawks also nest in this area.
• TREE ENCLOSURES:
The tree enclosures were created in the early eighties when young trees were planted along the bottom of the south slopes. These have now grown to provide a good habitat for birds, a Woodcock was sighted here earlier in the year, and it is thought that the maturing of this habitat has been partly responsible for the recent increase in woodpeckers. The undergrowth used to be mown once a year, a practice that only recently ceased, and has yet to develop. Imperforate St. John's Wort - which is locally rare - has been recorded here.
• MEADOWS:
There are several meadows which are not botanically interesting as yet, but provide a great habitat for butterflies and other invertebrates. The underlying soil conditions on the top meadow, next to the Blandford site make it the only area of acid grassland in the Borough. The raptors of the park mainly feed in these areas, and follow behind the tractor during the annual 'harvest' to collect any Wood Mouse or Brown Rat that shows itself.
• PARKLAND:
The rest of the parkland is mainly mown grass and mature trees. These trees are well used by various bird species. It is apparent that the diversity of the Park's 190 acres make it attractive to a wide range of organisms.
SPECIES
• BIRDS:
155 species of birds have been recored in the park over the past 30 years. For the past five years species totals have always topped 100. Last year 45 species bred in the park, which is about average. We obviously don't have all the data in for this year but here is a general report of the year so far. It has definately been the best year for woodpeckers ever! All three species bred and a Green and Lesser Spotted nested in the same tree. We have had record numbers of Pochard, on the boating lake, as well as a pair of Ruddy Duck. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel have both bred, though one of the young Kestrel females was found injured in the Conservation Area meadow and taken to the RSPCA. Unfortunately it will be re-released elsewhere. Swans bred on the reservoirs, raising four cygnets. It is not know as yet whether the Tawny Owls have bred yet. Notable visitors include a Red Legged Partridge, Firecrests, Pied Flycatchers, Hobby, Crossbills and a Kingfisher. For more details please contact us as we have bird reports for the past 15-20 years, the data is just too big to include here - at the moment anyway!
• MAMMALS:
We have several families of Foxes in the park, which are seen in the animal enclosure frequently during the day. There are plenty of Brown Rats and Wood Mice. We have various Cats that have turned ferrel and live around the park. There are also Hedgehogs, though in my opinion there are less locally than there used to be. We have had one sighting of a Weasel a few years ago in the Conservation Area, and recently a sighting of a Rabbit. A Muntjac Deer has been sighted on the far side of the reservoirs. In the animal enclosure we have a herd of Fallow Deer. There were 15 in April and have since increased to 23 with the birth of 8 fawns. There are also 3 Donkeys.
• BUTTERFLIES:
We have 24 species of butterflies, more than anywhere else in Haringey. Large, Small and Essex Skippers, Brimstone, White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks. For a full species lists please contact us.
• DRAGONFLIES:
There are several species of dragonflies in the park, 3 of which are at their northern edge of their distribution; Ruddy Darter, Emperor Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer.
• FLORA & FUNGI:
There are comprehensive species lists available for both. Please contact us for the information you require on a particular species.
• OTHERS:
We have a spider specialist who regularly visits the park but we are lacking on insect details and also moths. If you are specialist of either you will be made more than welcome if you can visit!
EDUCATION TOURS
The Conservation Officer is available to takes groups around the Conservation Area and associated sites. There is a standard hour and a half tour but one can be tailored to your particular needs. It is an ideal place to show children a variety of basic habitats and species. It is advisable to book as early as possible so that if any activities are required these can be agreed between the teacher and the Conservation Officer.
VOLUNTEERS
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) carry out conservation tasks on the second Sunday of the Month. These tasks include habitat management, removal of invasive species, repairing steps, fences & bridges and planting hedges and trees. It is an ideal opportunity to get involved in active management of the site and have a great day out in the fresh air. To book a place on the next task please call BTCV on 020 7278 4294..
INFORMATION CENTRE
The Centre is open Tuesday & Thursday 10am-1pm and Wednesday & Friday 1pm-4pm. If you are visiting and cannot make these times please contact us and we will try to arrange it to be open for your visit. It contains a variety of information about Alexandra Park and the Conservation Area. It has things to look at, things to feel and things to hear to stimulate the senses. There is also a small environmental library and a selection of stuffed animals.
DONATIONS
We do not take cash donations however we welcome donations of any equipment or literature that would help us or the volunteers. It is also possible to plant saplings in the Conservation Area though it depends on the needs of the particular area rather than that of the donor - memorial trees can be planted elsewhere in the park. If you would like to help with some finance or sponsorship please contact us and we can discuss it.
Contact the Conservation Officer:
Conservation Information Centre
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace Way,
London,
N22 7AY
Email: park.manager@appct.org