Stoke Newington Reservoirs

Map:

Website: http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/terns2/index.htm

Access is currently limited. However good views of most of the two reservoirs can be had from the New River public path, which runs for approximately one kilometre along the north side of the site, bisected by Lordship Road.

Greater access granted to The Reservoirs Nature Society (TeRNS) by Thames Water in 2005 has been welcomed by local birders and naturalists.

Completed in 1833 there are 17 hectares of open water - Hackney's largest wetland area.

They are designated a "Site of Metropolitan Importance for Conservation", and were given legal protection in 1986.

Recent highlights include Golden Oriole, Slavonian Grebe, Temminck’s Stint, Garganey and Pied Flycatcher. More than 100 species have been recorded in recent years.

So far 2006 has produced some exciting but perhaps expected additions to the list, notably an Osprey and a spate of Common Buzzard sightings. Also of note in 2006 are Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull, 4 Wheatear (hey, its a small site!) and Whinchat. Surely more additions will follow, reflecting an increase in observer numbers and hours over the last 12 months.

This small site does offer the "Urban London" birder rewards if you are prepared to put the time in.

Getting there: Manor House, on the Piccadilly Line, is five minutes walk via Green Lanes (or 141, 341 buses).