Wildlife at Woodberry Wetlands

When the wintering birds begin to disappear and the last of the siskins, bramblings, redwings, fieldfares, water rails and green sandpipers and most of the gulls have departed, trans-Saharan migrants such as swallows and house and sand martins make their long-awaited return. Common swifts congregate in large numbers alongside commonly sighted residents blackcaps and common chiffchaffs. Five species of warbler, including the lesser & common whitethroats and garden warblers, arrive with the reservoir’s breeding varieties of reed and sedge warbler in April.

Common terns are a regular presence with the possibility of seeing arctic terns due to the favourable fishing opportunities. Two main species, the common buzzard and red kites, dominate the sky during Spring with marsh harriers and ospreys being more rare but annual visitors. Other notable sightings and unexpected visitors to the reservoir conditions dependent have included: redshank, northern lapwing, little ringed plover, whinchat, water pipit, firecrest, brambling, shelduck, snipe and northern lapwing.

During May, some escaped species, including budgerigars, African grey parrot and cockatiel, have been spotted on the run in the wetlands area.  Raptors, mainly represented by our two resident species kestrel and sparrowhawk, are also a feature over the skies.

June and July are generally quiet from a migratory perspective, hence, the summer is a good time to enjoy the breeding species, of which at least 50 of which have bred regularly at the reservoir in the last few years. The wetland habitat provides nesting sites for a good variety of waterbirds, including coot, moorhen, mallard, tufted duck, mute swan, Canada goose, little grebe, common pochard, great crested grebe and our only nesting larid the lesser black-backed gull.

Both kestrel and sparrowhawk breed in the vicinity and stock doves, green & great spotted woodpeckers, pied & grey wagtails breed close by and are a familiar sight in the summer. Blackcaps have increased as a breeding species in the local area and Cetti’s, reed & sedge warblers and Reed Buntings nest exclusively in the reed bed at the East Reservoir whilst bullfinch, greenfinch, chaffinch, common chiffchaffs, common whitethroats, kingfishers, goldcrests, long-tail & coal tits breed within the perimeter.

Over the last century, the reservoir has become shallower, now 2m from its original depth of up to 6m, and there is around about 4m worth of silt which the New River has primarily deposited. The silting up of the reservoir has created undulations to form pools, islands and channels and allowing the existing reedbed to spread out further from the edge, benefiting a huge range of wildlife.

The reedbeds surrounding the reservoir are rich in wetland wildlife. These have been increased in size by London Wildlife Trust with movement of silt and planting to be enhanced for its wildlife, birds in particular.

The reedbed habitat is dominated by common reed with patches of bramble, curled dock and common nettle found throughout the reedbed. Invasive species such as Japanese knotweed and orange balsam were treated before works started to avoid potential distribution of these species.

Hedgerows provide important habitat for mammals, birds and invertebrates on the site. Hawthorn is the principal component of the hedgerows at Woodberry Wetlands, with its blossom providing a nectar source for pollinators and its structure sheltering foodplants of butterflies.

There is an area of improved grassland on the top of the embankments and semi-improved grassland and tall herbs on the south-facing slope next to the reedbed. This is reflected in the dominant grass species on the site which are species associated with higher-nutrient environments:  meadow foxtail, barren brome, red fescue, Yorkshire fog, wall barley and perennial rye-grass.

An area of wildflower meadow has been created, supporting species such as meadow vetchling, greater bird’s-foot trefoil and lesser trefoil.

The orchard is planted with traditional English fruit varieties including Victoria plum, conference pear and James Grieve apple. The James Grieve variety was formerly a fruit market staple that has been forgotten by many people. It bruises easily and so it is not considered to be suitable for modern supermarket handling. As they mature, the orchard trees will provide vital habitat for invertebrates.