The mix of young and old trees, shrubs, meadows, grasslands and water features in the park provides an excellent range of habitats for wildlife.
If you have spotted any interesting species in the park let us know, email: park@appct.org
Birds:
The neighbouring reservoirs no doubt assist in attracting many species to the park. 2007 was a record year for the study area, with a grand total of 113 species.
Dragonflies:
There are several species of dragonflies in the park, including Ruddy Darter, Emperor Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer.
Butterflies:
24 species of butterflies have been seen in the park, more than anywhere else in Haringey. They include large, small and Essex Skippers, Brimstone, White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks.
Bats:
A recent walk by volunteers from the London Bat Group detected five bat species around the park:
Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
Noctule (Nyctalus noctula)
Daubenton's (Myotis daubentoni)
Natterer's (Myotis nattereri)
CONSERVATION AREA:
Although management of the whole site is carried out with regard to wildlife and the ecology of the natural features, a 2 hectare 'Conservation Area' has been managed for nature conservation for over twenty years. Before 1980 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 around 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.
Monthly conservation volunteer tasks are carried out by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, why not Get Involved!
Deer enclosure
History
When the park was designed by Alexander Mackenzie in 1875 he included a small deer enclosure. Fallow deer were reintroduced to Alexandra Park by the GLC and the herd here today are their direct descendents.
Feeding The herd's diet is made of grazing and browsing the vegetation in the enclosures, feed pellets (supplied daily), haylage and mineral blocks. Fresh vegetables are also supplied on a weekly basis.
Welfare The welfare of the deer is overseen by two independent experts. A Deer Manager advises on day-to-day husbandry of the herd, feeding, safety, response to injuries and moving the herd between the compounds. A specialist deer vet takes annual samples to test for diseases and parasites.
