18
200 bird species a year seen in the Lee Valley.
The 23 miles of river between Ware, Hertford-
shire and Stratford in London form the Lee
Valley Park area. The park authority was
established in 1967 to meet increasing public
leisure needs. Many sports and activities are
catered for within the park, including sailing,
camping, ice skating and go-kart racing. In
the last few years the authority has begun to
provide bird hides around the Fishers Green
area (which are only open to the public at
weekends) and the Ranger service provides a
varied programme of guided walks.
The habitats available within the Park include
river, reservoir, flooded gravel pits, sewage
works, scrub, small areas of woodland, marsh,
farmland and grassland. All this provides the
basis for the bird activity.
The R.S.P.B. have a reserve at Rye House Marsh
where terns breed in summer and a Bittern often
over-winters. The Thames Water Authority, on
written application and payment, issue permits
to view some reservoirs and sewage farms in the
valley which again produce many marvellous
species records such as Divers and Grebes in
winter and Osprey on passage.
Although the Lee Valley may not be the most
attractive area of Essex/Herts, its resident
breeding, passage and wintering bird records
are impressive by even national standards.
Why not see for yourself in '88?
Further information about the Park and ranger
service is available from: