Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

Trent Park is a complex mosaic of habitats, associated with the grounds of a former country estate (now partly Middlesex University). It consists of mixed woodland of oak (Quercus obur, Q. petraea), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), with willow (Salix spp.), alder (Alnus glutinosa) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in wetter areas; some of these trees may be ancient. There are also substantial plantations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), as well as significant quantities of standing decaying timber. The notable flora of streamsides and damp woodland includes soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) and bog stitchwort (Stellaria alsine). Large areas of semi-improved neutral grassland contrast with the mown grassland of parkland areas where there are also some ancient trees. Acid grassland is also present, with characteristic flora including tormentil (Potentilla erecta), heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile), early hair-grass (Aira praecox), and sand spurrey (Spergularia rubra) on the grassland pathways, which is notable in London. Two large lakes and a number of ponds have interesting associated vegetation such as broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris), midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula), common water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and nodding bur-marigold (Bidens cernua). A diverse range of birds are to be found, with great crested grebe, kingfisher, hobby, treecreeper, nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker and bullfinch. Grass snake and great crested newt have also been recorded. The site includes the Council-owned Country Park, and there is extensive public access. “Get Walking, Get Talking” project uses this site - A Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme; see link for details.