Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The park contains several features of wildlife value, the best of which is a large pond. The margins of the pond have extensive stands of branched bur-reed, tufts of hard rush, common reed, flowering-rush, yellow iris, great willowherb and water mint. There is a small island with a large weeping willow, while the ground below is covered in ivy. Nesting mallards, moorhens and, occasionally, tufted ducks, use this area. The pond supports a good range of insects, attracted by its dense vegetation. These include azure damselfly, water measurer, and two interesting soldier flies. Zones of tall flowers, planted shrubbery and scattered trees surround the pond. Grassland areas are relatively flower-rich as it is mown a little less frequently than is usual in most formal parks. This includes the usual clovers and yarrow, and common stork's-bill. Also found here is dwarf mallow. These grassland areas harbour the nationally scarce click beetle Athous campyloides. The park also has many fine (mostly non-native) trees and areas of dense planted shrubbery. Birds found in the park include great spotted woodpecker, mistle thrush and chaffinch.

Facilities

Playground; Waymarked walking route.