Woodberry Wetlands | Hackney's Watery Paradice | Dallaswear

Woodberry Wetlands, Hackney

You don’t have to live in the countryside to enjoy nature.

We are very lucky to have lots of well-maintained local parks in London and, overall, the capital is considered to have a high proportion of green spaces. The London Wildlife Trust is a charitable organisation that champions conservation across the capital by both maintaining existing sites and opening new reserves that have previously been shut off to the general public. Working hand in hand with supporters and volunteers the London Wildlife Trust are dedicated to the protection of wildlife and natural habitats for the benefit of all Londoners and visitors. Our blog of the 6th August 2020, highlighted the delights of Walthamstow Wetlands which is also run by The London Wildlife Trust.

Today I would like to talk about Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney which is owned by Thames Water and managed by the London Wildlife Trust. The nature reserve covers an area of 12 hectares and for nearly 200 years it was a working reservoir and off limits to the public. Thanks to the London Wildlife Trust this has changed. The new urban wetland nature reserve was opened to the public by none other than Sir David Attenborough in 2016. Nestled amongst the surrounding tower blocks, in a highly urbanised area of the capital, the site has been transformed into a haven for wildlife and visitors alike. The Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve has fast become one of the Trust’s top visitor attractions.

It is the ideal location for city dwellers to immerse themselves in nature and there are ample opportunities for birdwatchers to spot a wide variety of species. A visit to the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve website reveals an astonishing total of 66 species spotted at the reserve during the month of July this year. These include red kites, a stunningly beautiful bird of prey, along with hobbys, kestrels, peregrine and sparrowhawks. In April 2020, a total of 74 bird species were seen. The staff at the reserve monitor all sightings and visitors are encouraged to do the same, so that numbers can be compared year on year. Figures for May 2017 showed the total overall number of bird species seen on site numbered a very impressive 171.

The various habitats within the reserve encourage lots of migratory birds so it is well worth visiting at different times of the year. In this way you can make the most of opportunities to see the birds that come and go with the change of the seasons. In the winter, for example, there are populations of pochard, shoveler, gadwall and tufted ducks.

The Woodberry Wetlands staff and volunteers have worked hard to develop a variety of habitats including reedbeds, hedgerows, grassland and even an orchard. Each habitat will provide the ideal conditions for a diverse range of species. The hedgerows, for example, which have diminished in the countryside due to modern farming methods have been encouraged here. When in blossom the Hawthorn hedges will attract a variety of pollinators and are the perfect habitat for different mammals, birds and invertebrates.

An orchard on site has been planted with traditional varieties of English fruit including Victoria plum, conference pear and James Grieve apple. This is another habitat which will encourage invertebrates.

As well as an array of bird species to be seen there are also various bats, rodents, frogs, toads, newts, moths, butterflies and dragonflies.

The Woodberry Wetlands Nature reserve has a very nice café called the Coal House Café which overlooks the reservoir. At the moment, due to social distancing, seating is outside only. It does, however, have a lovely roof terrace which, hopefully, will be able to reopen when coronavirus is under control. Food in the café is locally sourced and cakes made on the premises. Housed in a Grade 2 listed building, the café was refurbished by award winning architects and has been furnished with furniture made from recycled wood from the banks of the reservoir itself, which is a wonderful use of readily available resources.

For a real taste of the countryside, why not visit this beautiful urban oasis? It’s open every day of the week and entry is FREE!

Although parking is difficult it is well served by public transport. The nearest tube station is the Piccadilly Line at Manor House and the nearest overground station from Liverpool Street is at Stoke Newington. Buses stopping in nearby Seven Sisters Road include the 253, 254, 259 and 279. There is good wheelchair access and there are disabled toilets.

Woodberry Wetlands Address: Lordship Road, New River Path. Woodberry Down, London N15 5HQ

Please check the Woodberry Wetlands website for all the details you need before visiting. https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/woodberry-wetlands-...