Bow Creek Ecology Park
This little gem is in the heart of major urban regeneration in Newham and provides a mix of blooming meadows which is active with insects in the summer. The pathway follows a series of interlocking ponds which flow in to a large pond which is great for pond dipping.
Bow Creek
In July
There has been a hive of bird activity on site, we have had breeding Gray Wagtails, Reed Warblers, Moorhens, two broods of Mallards and the Coots are on their third; The birds tend to be quieter by July as the main bird breeding period is drawing to a close and territories do not need to be advertised. The first of the summer migrants to depart are the
cuckoos. The adults leave in July followed by this year’s off spring later. Somehow they find their way to
Africa independently. Many of the chicks have now fledged, and you may hear the high shrill of the Long Tailed Tits that flock together at this time of year.
The Meadows are now a mix of bright pink Broad Everlasting Pea, blue spiked Vipers Bugloss and feathery yellow Ladies Bedstraw and the white Hedge Bedstraw; The Purple Loosestrife flowers stand out along the pond edges attracting a buzz of insects; such as Bumble Bees, Meadow browns, Painted ladies and Red Admirals; the Emperor dragonflies can be seen skimming the water hunting for pray.
We are running a
Volunteer day at Bow Creek on the 16th July to maintain the Ponds and continuing to refurbish the boundary fencing around the site.
If you would like to Volunteer in the
Lee
Valley
Park; please contact Paul Roper on 01992 709845. e-mail
proper@leevalleypark.org.uk
We are setting up a user forum for
East
India
Dock
Basin and
Bow
Creek
Ecology
Park; the Meeting will be on the
23rd July. Please contact
Eric Wilton on 01992 709917, if you would like to attend and for further information.