Down Along Lea

The River Lea is London's "other river". Once mentioned by Izaak Walton in his book "The Compleat Angler" as a fine fishing river but, by the time I first saw it, it had deteriorated into a rank watercourse flowing through gravel workings and industrial wastelands. Now of course it's home to the Olympic Stadium.

But further to the north, further upstream, where those gravel pits used to be, is a more tranquil environment. So we'll start our walk at where? Yes, that's right we'll start at Ware!

The little town of Ware sits right where Ermine Street, one of the oldest roads in the land, crosses the River Lea. There's an easy walking path and also a cycle route alongside the river on what was once the towpath where horses dragged barges up and down the waterway.

At this time of year the river banks look glorious with stands of Jumping Jack, or Himalayan Balsam. Although it looks pretty this invasive species causes lots of problems since it shades out the native vegetation. Also, come the winter, it dies back to almost nothing leaving bare riverbanks that can easily be eroded by floods. Since the seeds float readily downstream once you've got Himalayan Balsam on your river it quickly spreads.

The river deposited huge amounts of gravel along its course and what could be more convenient when London was expanding rapidly as a city. Gravel pits developed all along this stretch of the Lea and when they were exhausted they quickly filled with water to make a series of lakes.

Plants re-colonised the old workings and a variety of birds found the area to their liking so that it became a reserve for nature even before it was decided to call it a Nature Reserve!

Until quite recently you could view the area from one small hide or from a raised part of the path known rather grandly as The Viewpoint. On a sunny day it was a nice place to spend some time; all the birdwatchers gathered at this one point and a lot of talking, as well as birdwatching, was done.

But now there are three fine hides giving new views of the area and shelter if it should rain. You might also get a close look at a Little Egret (above). Other fairly regular, though often elusive, highlights include Little Ringed Plover and Hobby in summer and, in winter, Smew and Bittern.
But migrating birds also pass along the valley so just about anything can turn up.

In the summer the area around Hollycross Lake has been developed into a dragonfly trail. It was too cold and cloudy for dragonflies when I was there this time but it's a lovely area walk around and linger for a while.

A railway also came through here at one time and the old trackbed has been converted to a walking track opening up further opportunities to explore the vicinity. And if you are feeling energetic you can carry on down-river to Fishers Green and Rye Meads which are also good areas to seek out birds and other natural beauty.

Take care.