Puneet Varma (Editor)

Woodberry Wetlands

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Location
  
Hackney, England

Governing body
  
London Wildlife Trust

Established
  
2014

London borough
  
London Borough of Hackney

Nearest city
  
London

Phone
  
+44 20 3897 6154

Management
  
London Wildlife Trust


Address
  
Lordship Rd, New River Path, Stoke Newington, London N16 5HQ, UK

Hours
  
Open today · 9:30AM–4:30PMWednesday9:30AM–4:30PMThursday9:30AM–4:30PMFriday9:30AM–4:30PMSaturday9:30AM–4:30PMSunday9:30AM–4:30PMMonday9:30AM–4:30PMTuesday9:30AM–4:30PMSuggest an edit

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Profiles

David attenborough opens woodberry wetlands in stoke newington


Woodberry Wetlands is a nature reserve and designated Site of Metropolitan Importance on the site of the East Reservoir in Stoke Newington, Hackney, London. The site opened to the public for the first time in 200 years on 1 May 2016. Covering 4.5 ha (11 acres) and situated close to the Lee Valley, Woodberry Wetlands was acquired as a nature reserve in 2014. The site is owned by Thames Water and run by London Wildlife Trust.

Contents

After a major redevelopment the East Reservoir now offers free public access. The reserve was developed by London Wildlife Trust in collaboration with Thames Water, Berkeley Homes and London Borough of Hackney, with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund. The site contains a boardwalk, a visitors' centre with café, toilet facilities and a classroom. The New River Path runs alongside the northern edge of the reservoir.

Sir david attenborough opens woodberry wetlands for london wildlife trust


History

Before the 1600s London's water supply was mostly reliant on the River Thames, local streams, wells and springs. King James I authorised the construction of the New River in 1604 to bring clean water from springs in Hertfordshire and Middlesex to London.

Created in 1833, the Stoke Newington reservoirs stored water from The New River. The banks of the reservoirs were lined at higher levels with stones taken from London Bridge, then in the course of demolition.

Presently, water is temporarily held at the East Reservoir before processing at Walthamstow Reservoirs. The west reservoir has been converted into a water sports centre.

Ecology

Woodberry Wetlands is located close to the Lee Valley and is a resting place for migratory birds that move to and from the Lee Valley Special Protection Area, with waterfowl such as pochard, shoveler and gadwall visiting the site. Grey heron, tufted duck, reed bunting and other wetland birds are also present, along with kingfisher and other species such as damselflies, dragonflies, amphibians and bats.

A significant expansion of the reed beds, organised by London Wildlife Trust, provides increased wildlife habitat with the aim of encouraging more reed bunting and reed warbler to breed at the site, as well as provide additional habitat for overwintering bittern.

References

Woodberry Wetlands Wikipedia