Mayesbrook Park

From Londonbirders

Location

Situated between the boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Mayesbrook Park is your typical urban park. Having two lakes attracts birds from all directions, being ideally placed between the River Thames and Roding Valley, also not too far away from the likes of the Dagenham Chase.

Access

Upney Station on the District Line is a five minute walk away from the park, turning lef tout of the station, walk down the hill and first right into The Drive and you will see the park entrance. Alternatively by car, there is parking off of Lodge Avenue, opposite the Roundhouse Public House.

Description

Two lakes, one a boating lake which is used by the local schools (not very often!) are situated in the mile long by a third wide (roughly) park. The smaller of the lakes by the railway is reed and willow fringed and attracts Common Warblers and Tits in winter, as well as the regular duck species. It has held Wintering Goldeneye and more recently a pair of Smew (for a whole day!!) There is a small Heronry on the islands of the boating lake, normally consisting of three or four nests, and recently upto five Little Egrets roosting. Peregrine, Med Gull, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe and Water Pipit have been found, along with the regular Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher that feed along the stream that runs through the park.

2008 Highlights: Smew, Scaup, Redshank, common and Green sandpipers, Yellow-Legged gull, Water rail, Goshawk, Waxwing, Firecrest, prob Siberian Chiffchaff.

2009 Highlights: Goosander, Pintail,