Tottenham Marshes

Tottenham Marshes are an area of ancient flood plain located in north London. It stretches roughly from Tottenham Hale railway station in the south to Northumberland Park station in the north. It is bordered by Watermead Way (A1055) and Walthamstow Reservoirs.

History
Tottenham Marshes has existed for thousands of years. Initially it was surrounded by marshland and forest with smaller waterways scything through to join the River Lea. As humans began to develop the land the marsh and forest gave way to agriculture and meadows. Additional flood channels were created to ease flooding.

A more detailed history of the site is available on the Friends of Tottenham Marshes website.

Access and Facilities
The site is easily accessed from various gates located along its length. The main access is from Watermead Way where there is a car park, a cafe and toilets.

There is also access and limited parking on Leeside Road. The Lea Valley Walk path runs through the site.

Habitat
The area is flat, wild grass with areas of trees and scrub. The site is bordered by industrial estates and flood channels. The River Lea runs through the site and there are bridges over it to access the marshes and the Lea Valley Walk.

Species Sighted
This section is from the limited records of one birder, Katy McGilvray, and are not fully representative. Sightings from birders who visit here on a more regular basis are needed.

Black-headed Gull, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Gadwall, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Peregrine, Robin, Woodpigeon