Pinner Park Farm

Pinner Park Farm is a 93 hectare (230 acres) countryside site surrounded by suburban residential areas. It is owned by the London Borough of Harrow and leased to Hall & Sons (Dairy Farmers) Ltd, which formerly ran it as a dairy farm. It is designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

Address: Pinner Park Farm, George V Avenue, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 4SU (Map:; OS grid reference TQ135904).

History
Pinner Park has existed since the 13th century, when it was part of a large area around Harrow placed under the control of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The woodland was then used as pannage for pigs, but by the 15th century most of the trees had been cut down for timber and charcoal and the cleared areas were used mainly for pasture. Part of the park was also stocked with roe deer, protected from the depredation of local people by a high bank (parts of which still exist) and two ditches. The park held about 100 deer by the end of the 15th centre.

From the middle of the 15th century, the park was leased by the archbishopric to local farmers. In the 16th century, when the lordship and ownership of the Harrow lands was transferred from ecclesiastical to lay hands during Henry VIII’s reign, the lands continued to be leased to the same tenants. Records show that by then 64 per cent of Pinner Park was arable land, used for growing cereals (mainly wheat), peas, beans, tares and hay. The 18th century saw a shift from arable land to meadow, with 65 per cent of Pinner Park being meadow by the end of the century.

In the 19th century, legislation allowing inclosure saw Pinner’s previous open fields parcelled into farms. Hay became an increasingly important crop as fuel for London’s horses. But as the suburban population increased, dairying slowly began to take over, and in about 1920, Pinner Park Farm changed from hay and livestock to dairy farming. During the Second World War, the farm began growing cereals again, but after the war it reverted to pasture. By 1967, the entire 230 acres was producing grass to feed 240 Friesian cows, with the milk mainly sold in the surrounding residential areas. However, dairying ended some years ago, and small industrial firms began operating from the old dairy buildings, while agricultural use of the farm has continued.

Habitat
The site’s habitats include hedges, improved agricultural grassland, ponds, running water, scattered trees and secondary woodland. The pastures have been re-seeded and treated with fertilisers and so have little botanical diversity. The old field boundary hedges with ancient emergent oaks (Quercus robur) are valuable wildlife habitats, especially for birds. The farm is well known for its old field ponds, of which four survive. These support a fairly diverse wetland flora, including brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum) and trifid bur-marigold (Bidens tripartita).

The River Pinn runs in a deep channel through the western part of the farm. Aquatic vegetation is restricted to a little Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis). A narrow belt of woodland, dominated by hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) lines the river.

In the south of the farm is a strip of oak woodland known locally as The Copse. This has a good shrub layer, including guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), holly (Ilex aquilifolium) and field maple (Acer campestre). Sheets of bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) cover the ground in spring.

Species
Birds

Little Owl breed on the site, as do Swallow around the farm buildings with House Martin breeding nearby in Woodridings Avenue (which backs on to the farm). Snipe over-winter here, but can be impossible to find if you don't know exactly where to look. Little Egret are now a recently established over-wintering species, mainly along the River Pinn. Meadow Pipit over-winter on the fields, with the occasional Skylark, which sadly no longer breed. In winter hundreds of Redwing & Fieldfare use the fields all over the farm, and it can be very hard work trying to establish an accurate count with the wintering Starling flock (some years huge) included amongst them. Gulls are often using the surrounding playing fields & this occasionally produces a Mediterranean Gull, or even something more coastal like a Kittiwake which has been recorded flying over en route to Hilfield Park Reservoir. The main pond is always a good magnet for unusual visitors, which include Green & Common Sandpiper at passage times, Little Grebe (which have bred in 2004), Mallard is a regular breeder, Shoveler is the most regular of the additional wintering duck, with Teal, Wigeon & Gadwall to a lesser degree. Very occasionally Mandarin turn up here. Goosander has occurred here only once on March 9th 1999. Pheasant is recorded just about annually, but Red-legged Partridge is now a real rarity. Cuckoo used to be a regular spring migrant, but is now a rarity. Tawny Owl breed nearby in Hatch End & occasionally a wandering bird is recorded. Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker both breed here, but sadly Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has not been recorded since 2004. Nuthatch is a regular breeder in the Moss Close wooded area along the River Pinn, but Treecreeper is now thought to be extinct from that area, with the last record there in 2001. Kingfishers use the River Pinn, usually in winter months, & are occasionally found on the main pond in autumn. Warblers in summer include Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Wilow Warbler is a regular double passage migrant with Garden Warbler being very scarce & Sedge Warbler being a rarity. Reed Warbler is an extreme rarity with only one record for the farm (2002), & one record at Headstone Moat (2009). Hobbies are regularly seen in summer, while Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are resident in the area, Common Buzzard are regularly seen during passage periods and Red Kite occasionally pass over. Passage migrants on the correct day include guaranteed Wheatear - probably the site's top speciality bird (536 individuals recorded to date), including a blistering count of 21 individuals on April 22nd 2004. Yellow Wagtail (1126 to date) also do very well here especially in autumn, but are much more scarce here now due to the reductions in the size of the cattle herd. Whinchat (275 to date) is guaranteed in autumn. Stonechat (57 to date) is annual, but scarce. Common Redstart (46 to date) is just about annual, (some years are brilliant 1995, 2002 & 2009 come to mind, & some years are dreadful with none recorded - 1996 & 2008 for example). Black Redstart (16 to date) appear statisically annual, but none were recorded between 1998 to 2002, so this species can go missing for five years. Several Ring Ouzel have been recorded here, mainly in spring. Spotted Flycatchers still occur here in autumn, with odd records around the main pond in late August & early September. Nine species of finch have been recorded here, with Crossbill being the most notable. Yellowhammer is a rare migrant here, & Reed Bunting is only just about annual. Rarities at this site are well represented with an Ortolan Bunting (a super first-winter male) around the rubbish tip on September 2nd 2002, a Great Grey Shrike which was found in the middle hedge on October 12th 1998, a Red-backed Shrike was found in the middle hedge with a Wryneck present in nearby Oaks on September 19th 2005 (what a day that was), with the shrike staying in the middle hedge for at least nine days. A much more obliging & fairly well behaved Wryneck spent three days around the farm buildings from September 15th-17th in 2008 allowing a large number of London birders to catch up with this often awkward rarity. A Pied Flycatcher (not so much a rarity, just rare here) was recorded on August 2nd 2000 (and surprisingly this is the only record) & a calling Woodlark flew over my head on October 19th 2000. Other overflying goodies include Osprey, Marsh Harrier & Whimbrel. Tree Sparrows nested here in the 1980s but were sadly extinct by 1992. One, (a first-winter) found along the main bridleway on September 21st 2009 was the first record here for seventeen years (Jon Ridge).

Other vertebrates

Muntjac deer have been recorded here, but you can go for a very long time without seeing one. Foxes have been heavily & rather harshly culled in recent years, but there are still a few individuals left. Rabbits are a recent acquistion to this site, and are now well established into double figures around the rubbish tip & middle hedge, as is the much maligned but fairly harmless Brown Rat. Other not so welcome guests include Grey Squirrels, which are now absolutely everywhere. The Badger sett near railway line has long been vacated for some years now. Moles are common here and mice & shrews have occasionally been recorded, but are easily overlooked, as are probably several species of bat. The occasional Weasel is recorded here - just about annually. It is probably worth mentioning that I have never encountered a single Hedgehog here (in nearly 16 years of visiting this site). All manner of piscifauna are present in the main pond, mainly due to visitors using the main pond as a depository for their unwanted pets (JR). Common frogs breed in the ponds, which may also be used by other amphibians. Sticklebacks occur in the River Pinn.

Butterflies

The most noteworthy Lepidoptera moment that comes to mind came last year on May 25th 2009, when over the course of the afternoon, 355 Painted Ladies were counted, mostly flying north. I simply gave up counting at 16:00 when I reached 350, (I just didn't think anyone would believe me!) - It was only when I arrived home, I realised the influx was national, with 20+ still going through the back garden that very evening - On reflection, I wish I'd continued with the farm count, as it probably would have resulted in a four figure total of individuals recorded - a once in a lifetime count. (JR).

Practicalities
Directions

The nearest station is Headstone Lane, on the London Overground line between London Euston and Watford Junction. The nearest London Underground station is Pinner (Metropolitan Line). Nearby bus routes include 183, 350, H11, H12, H13, H14, H18 and H19.

Access

Pinner Park Farm is a working farm and access is confined to the public footpaths across the site. Starting from Pinner Station there is a pleasant walk across the site to Headstone Lane Station. Go down Station Approach and turn right on the High Street and right again on Church Lane. At the end of Church Lane, turn left into Moss Lane and almost immediately turn right up Wakehams Hill (quite steep, but it is only a few minutes) to a public footpath sign. There are a couple of seats just before the beginning of the walk where you can sit and enjoy the country view before setting off. The path is pleasant, downhill and through open meadows. After passing through a gateway/stile the way becomes more sheltered with tall hedgerows and Oak trees. When you reach the busy George V Avenue, cross over to the Pinner Park Farm sign. Note the “Beware of the bull” sign and keep to the footpath. You pass run-down farm buildings, including the substantion mid-18th farmhouse (a Grade II listed building). The walk becomes more attractive after the outbuildings, & the main pond is to the right, about seventy yards out. At the end of the footpath, go through the swing gate and turn right into a quiet lane running up to the Garden Centre. At the end of the lane you will see the Headstone Lane station buildings over the road.

Facilities

There is a rather redundant hide around the main pond installed by well meaning staff around 2004, which is sometimes used to photograph birds. On May 13th 2008 a Common Sandpiper landed on top of it - a priceless birding moment (JR).

‘’This information has been cobbled together from various internet sources by someone who has never visited the site but thinks that it deserves a page on the London Bird Club Wiki. If you are familiar with the site, please correct, expand and/or update this information. Many thanks to Andrew Haynes for setting this page up - I will continue to expand, update & correct information over the next few weeks (Jon Ridge).