Welcome to Alexandra Park  Alexandra Park was originally
designed by Alexander McKenzie, in 1863, as a park and pleasure ground. The 196 acres of park now consists of a delightful mixture of informal woodland, open grassland, formal gardens and attractions such as the boating lake, cafes and the pitch-and-putt course.
Friends Events Barnet Band in The Grove  Sunday, 24th June 2pm to 3:45pm London Metropolitan Brass in The Grove  London Metropolitan Brass are back! Great news - always a rousing performance. They will be playing in The Grove from 2pm. LMB run THREE bands, but always happy to accept new members. Food and drink available from The Grove Café to eat there or on the grass... … or bring a picnic. Palace Band in The Grove  July Members Walk: Samuel Cody  Samuel Cody might give the impression of a cowboy and showman trying to ride on the coat-tails of "Buffalo Bill" Cody, which he was, originally, but he also made the first official flight of a piloted heavier-than-air machine in Great Britain, 110 years ago. Find out what any of this has to do with Alexandra Park on a short walk on Tuesday evening. Meet at the BBC Tower. The walk will last an hour. Be prepared for the lovely sunny evening in the Park. July Conservation Work Party Wednesday, 18th July 10am to 12:30pm  Our job will be to keep this area up to scratch and continue to improve this habitat (with a bit of bramble and sapling removal). We usually work from 10 am to 12.30 pm, but come for as long as you want. Meet at the Butterfly Meadow, if you know it, or at the finger post where the path from North View Road meets the (newly surfaced) Lower Road. Family Bug Hunt Sunday, 29th July 1:30pm  Cinnabar moth caterpillars are a favourite often seen this time of year. To whet your appetite, left is a picture recently taken of the adult moth laying eggs on the caterpillar's food plant - the ragwort. Bex will be on hand to help out with identification of your finds and we will have sweep nets to help us capture (temporarily) the insects around about. Also another method will be knocking the tree leaves and looking at what falls out.... Friends' Past events Details of many of our previous events can be found here These are the most recent events: Palace Gates Summer Fete stall  As to the fete itself, music from a band, cakes, a tombola, etc. - the whole day went well in spite of the sun keeping above the clouds. June Conservation Work  The grass had grow very tall and the first swathe of wild flowers was starting to come out. We attacked the brambles and while we were working we heard Chiffchaff, Blackcap still singing. The first Meadow Brown butterflies were flitting around. Plants in flower included Red Campion, Common Mouse Ear, Common Birds Foot Trefoil and the first Common Ragworts. The picture taken is of a final instar Forest Bug (a type of Shield Bug). Members Walk: Towers and Flowers  On the local new build front, we could see the progress of the Altitude N8 development by Hornsey station. Further away there was, of course, the new Tottenham Football Ground (left). Another tower going up is the new APEX building on  the corner of Tottenham High Road and Seven Sisters Road. Also there are cranes visible at Tottenham Hale for the Ashley Road development.Down at our feet was wall barley growing, but annoyingly someone pointed out a very soft grass which after looking up was found to be Annual Beard Grass (not a native). We continued our walk with a look at some of the flowers planted in the beds below the Palace. There were a mixture wild flowers and more ornamental annuals including Poppies, Borage, Vipers Bugloss and Californian poppies. (left pic)  For the wild flower part of our walk, we spotted some yarrow by the terrace and then crossed the road to walk in a loop to the left and back up to head towards the Rose Garden. Here, amongst the wild flowers seen were Dove's Foot Crane's Bill, Common Mallow, Ribwort, Buckthorn (left) and Broadleaf Plantains, Selfheal and Pineapple Weed. We crossed the road and walked to the top of the old Dry Ski Slope were there were plenty more wild flowers to be seen. Red clover might not produce much excitement, but from an ecological point of view it was good to see a lot of Yellow Rattle (bottom picture) which should keep some of the vigorous grasses in check and allow more wild flowers to prosper. Waves of Ribbed Melilot were perhaps prettiest show on offer...  We walked to the Rose Garden to have a last look at flowers and views. There we spotted some cultivated yarrow that contrasted quite well with the wild version seen earlier. In the fountain was a good collection of different coloured Water Lillies (and even some small fish). We ended our walk dead on time at 9pm looking at the insignificant flowers of the Honey Locust tree at the top of the Rose Garden. Beginners Tree Walk  First stop was the Sycamore. This tree is a maple - its name sometimes puts people off from identifying it with others of the same genus. Robin showed us the leaves and the seeds (helicopters). Next stop was a Field Maple. This is our only native maple tree although not the only maple tree you will find in the wild. The leaves are more elegant and the seeds are angled very different from the Sycamore. We moved onto the Oak, probably the country's iconic tree. We  The Horse Chestnut was the next to come under scrutiny, we inspected the large leaves and developing conkers. To give everyone a change, the next stop was, probably the tree that nearly everyone can put a name to the Holly. We heard how males and female are on different trees. Berries will only be seen on the female trees. Next stop was the fallen old field boundary oak which came down in 2014. Counting its rings, it was just over 200 years old pre-dating the park. Hornbeam was our next stop, the most common tree in our local woodlands, but little known outside the tree-friendly world. It has very hard wood. Lime came next on our list and Robyn pointed out that there was almost a circle of lime trees close to the old Blandford Hall site. These trees have heart-shaped, asymmetric leaves which often have colourful nail galls on them. Last stop was a look at a final maple, the Silver Maple with a whitish underside and also often with galls on the leaves. Family Activities Day  Lots of enthusiastic scavenger hunters looking The Grove for leaves and mini beasts. Some interesting finds including a Wasp Beetle and a Harlequin Ladybird larva. They all seemed to enjoy learning about nature in this way and definitely enjoyed their prize of homemade elderflower cordial. The two Xplorer challenges also attracted the families with groups haring off around trying to find the cards tied to trees and posts with the help of maps. Their rewards were certificates and stickers.... May Conservation Work  The area is transforming now with increasing patches of Red Campion (left), a brilliant patch of creeping buttercup and a large number of other wild flowers brightening up the area. There is still bird song in evidence with Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Song Thrushes proclaiming their territories. This can be expected to die off in the next few weeks. As to the work, even with the good turnout again this month, at this time of year, we have to work hard to keep pace with the growing bramble and tree saplings. With this effort, we hard succeeding in making this little  suntrap a valuable ecological niche in Alexandra Park. AGM and talk by the Park Manager and Contractor  Michael Conway (left) gave us an enlightening, illustrated talk showcasing some of the problems that he has encountered in the Park over the many years of his tenure. We could see a great contrast between today's well kept park and the dilapidated state of some of the infrastructure before we received a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. There were a few pictures showing the day that WW2 grenades were exploded in the Boating Lake....  Mark Evison (left), our Park Manager, returned this year to update the members on the challenges over the past year and on how the Alexandra Park and Palace Trust is planning for the future. Mark is working on a draft Park Infrastructure Business Plan. He made the point was made that commercial events in the park are now responsible for any damage/litter caused by them and that this does not come out of the Park Budget. Also any disturbance to the natural environment caused by an increase in commercial events within the park needs to be quantified. To this end, wild life surveys had been commissioned to establish a baseline situation. He also mentioned his responsibility with regards to the leaseholders (e.g. Boating Lake Cafe and pedalos, Pitch and Putt, Garden Centre) on site and that improvements will be made in negotiating their contracts as they come up for renewal. Both speakers kindly thanked the Friends for their involvement with the Park. The formal part of the evening was really not too long! We briefly highlighted the events put on by the Friends with a special mention for the successful joint event with the Alexandra Palace learning team for Haringey's weekend of play. Gordon Hutchinson was re-elected chair, Nick Bryant re-elected treasurer and Jane Hutchinson re-elected secretary. Robyn Thomas, Frances Minnion and Stephen Middleton were also confirmed as committee members. We said a sad goodbye to Harry Kornhauser, a long standing committee member and also to Laura Mazur, our pioneering newsletter editor, who is producing a short book on the Park which will come out later this year who has moved back over the pond. We formally welcomed Caroline Beattie-Merriman onto the committee as our new newsletter editor (she had been co-opted onto the committee a few months back). We do have a place free on the committee for somebody keen to join us! Spring 2018 Bird Walk and Ringing Display  We could pick out a few birds singing nearby including Robin, Blue Tit and Blackbird. Moving deeper into The Grove and saw a Stock Dove and a Mistle Thrush on the grass. Looking around, we heard/saw Blue tits, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Long-tailed tits and even saw Swifts overhead.  Walking out of The Grove across the road, we espied a Mistle Thrush and male Blackbird. After hearing the Goldcrest in The Grove, we were treated to closer sightings of this titchy bird in one of Giant Redwoods. Walking across the South Slope there was Mallard on the grass and high in a tree a Greenfinch. Approaching the Pitch and Putt, a Blackcap was singing strongly. We moved on to the Cricket Pitch area where Blue Tit was seen in a willow. A recent good news story is the spread of Sparrows  We had a good explanation of the technique, purpose and legal requirement of Bird Ringing from licenced practitioner, Gerry. During this time, a Wood Pigeon perched on nearby hawthorn and the quick eyed saw a Wheatear. Walking off, a Whitethroat was singing in a willow. By the reservoir, we spotted Herring and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, Grey Heron and disputing Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Moving outside to the Filter Beds, a Little Egret flew over and a Grey Wagtail perched on the edge of one of the beds. Back in the park, a woodpecker high up in a tree. Spring Fungi Walk, 2018  After an introductory talk by Andy in the Park Information Centre, we adjourned to a nearby dead oak to see how the Smokey Bracket fungus was progressing. Next stop was a pile of wood chips near the 3-4-5 Playgroup which yielded Wrinkled Fieldcaps and Hare's Foot Inkcap as well as a slime mold, the appropriately named Dog's Vomit. Nearby was an elegant young Dryad's Saddle pictured left as well as a clump of edible St. George's Mushrooms.  Moving out of The Grove towards the Garden Centre, we spotted a few clumps of Stinkhorns just rising from the earth. These will grow and start to smell eventually looking like this. On some deadwood close by were some "bootlaces" - these are Honey Fungus rhizomorphs - clumped mycelia. We walked towards the Paddock Car Park seeing several less dramatic fungi - Hypoxylon, Pyrenomycetes and Hypodontia.  Progressing towards the Redston Field, more St. George's Mushrooms were found and also Trametes ochracea (sorry poor pic). Another slime mold was also spotted - Wolf's Blood. The slime molds are in a completely different kingdom and not related to fungi. Returning to the Park Information Centre, we spotted more Dryad's Saddle and the remains of a puffball from last year. During the walk, we were encourage to sniff some of the Fungi as this can be valuable tool in identification. We now have a copy of Andy's huge Fungi Book in the Park Information Centre for people to consult. May Members Walk  We saw pictures of the racecourse and its grandstand in its pomp... Continuing towards the cricket pitch the route of the course was pointed out where it went around the pitch. We were told how long the racecourse had lasted (1868 to 1970) and the reasons for it closing (mostly safety - corners too tight with adverse camber). We finished near the 5 furlong start point before a few of adjourned to the Starting Gate which has itself an interesting collection of Horse Racing Memorabilia. Dawn Chorus Bird Walk  David, referring back to his talk, pointed out the sounds of the birds to be heard at this early hour. We were treated to the sight of Jays chasing through the trees at the start of the walk. As to the sounds, the loudest sounds came from almost the smallest birds, the Wrens, with their high decibel songs . The deepest voice came from the Stock Doves and Wood Pigeon as they don't open their mouths so the sound comes from deep down. The highest pitch songs came from the Goldcrests which  Throughout the walk we kept hearing the jaffles of the Green Woodpeckers tracking our movements. Jays again came to the fore when they where seen building a nest near the Lower Path (pictured left). We also saw a Crow in a nest. Our walk had taken us down to the Lower Road and back along the Middle Path eventually pigging out on croissants and coffee. Some of the many birds seen and heard on our walk.  Blackbird Song Thrush Robin Chiffchaff Blackcap Nuthatch Grey Heron Stock Dove Wood Pigeon Carrion Crow Magpie Jay Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Dunnock Great Tit Blue Tit Long-tailed Tit Goldfinch Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldcrest Wren Parakeet Haringey Weekend of Play  Talk: Birds and Their Song  The talk was fully booked with not spare seat in the house... We were told of the different types of sound that birds make:  Alarm calls warn of predators or other unwelcome intrusions. Contact calls help the birds to keep in touch with other members of a group or a mate. In his usual lively style, David, gave us a top ten of bird songs to listen out for which included Robin, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow and revealed that even if we think that we don't know any bird sounds - we all recognise some of them and have a basis to start learning more..... April Conservation Work in the Park  A very good turnout of 14 people to help us make a mark. Brambles were removed as were tree saplings trying to re-establish in the grassy area. We were treated to some Brimstone butterflies passing through as well as seeing some 7 spot ladybirds and hearing some Chiffchaffs. Dandelions were springing up all over, Wood-rush was seen, some Lesser Celandines were still flowering and Hornbeam, Field Maple and Norway Maple trees were all in flower. The juice was especially welcome in the heat. Spring Bat Walk  Gordon gave a talk an introduction to British Bats and those to be found around the world and luckily the rain stopped. (Un)fortunately he was interrupted in his presentation with an early arrival at the Boating Lake. This was our largest bat the Noctule which we only see from time to time. This time it hung around high-ish above the Boating Lake searching for food and everybody managed to get a good sight of it. After the sun went down (invisible to our eyes), we walked along the Boating Lake and it wasn't long before we started to "hear" the Pipistrelles on our Bat Detectors. They swept by lower than the Noctule at around head level and delighted the group with their aerial antics. Wandering further around the lake, we heard them all along the way. Although, probably due to the inclement weather, we didn't see as many Pipistrelle bats as usual, this Bat Walk will be remember for the best sightings yet of the Noctule (and some people may have even spotted a Daubenton's Bat skimming the water. Early Spring Tree Walk  What is spectacular at this time of year is the display of flowering cherries just below the terrace giving beautiful pink blossoms. There was also the contrast of the fading yellow flowers of the Cornelian Cherries - not actually cherries, but dogwoods. We walked down onto the South Slope inspecting the bramble clearance and a Wych Elm just about to come into flower. Close by was the Totem Pole made from Horse Chestnut wood and now being attacked by different fungi. Next along was our native Bird Cherry full of leaves and flower buds yet to open. Beeches were inspected above the Rose Garden with leaves still to  A short detour into the Blandford Hall woodland gave us Goat Willow flowers both yellow males and green females (on different trees). Retracing our steps passing above the old Eastern Deer Enclosure we could see that the Weeping Ash tree was just about to burst into flower and the Caucasian Wingnut was putting out its first leaves. Hybrid Black Poplar "Robusta" catkins were a colourful red colour (male flowers only on this tree) by the old Dry Ski Slope. Mentioning the new tree planting (replacement Planes and trees in the Upper Field sponsored by Go Ape) we continued on to look a Snowy Mespils or Amelanchier Tree whose buds look quite distinctive as they burst.  Our last tree on the walk was a Box Elder in full flower by the Boating Lake - another Acer (like the Silver Maple), but with a completely different looking inflorescence. .... with the increasing rain four of the party adjourned quickly for warming sustenance at the Boating Lake Cafe. More reports on Tree Walks here.  She re-iterated the reasons why trees are so special to us; cleaning air, stopping soil erosion, creating natural habitats etc.. We heard about how little tree cover there is in the UK compared to other countries in Europe and the attempts to address this problem - including the project Northern Forest. Although Ancient Woodland only accounts for 3% of the UK land surface, paradoxically, in the UK we have more Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees than the rest of the Europe so it is especially important to protect this woodland current under threat.  The other main threats that have been in the news have been the current surge in Pests and Diseases hitting this country. Ash Dieback is sweeping the country and many other pests and diseases have been causing devastation in the country - you only have to look back to Dutch Elm Disease to see the potential effect on the landscape. Sara outlined the work of the Woodland Trust in combating these threats and promoting trees everywhere (new focus on Urban Trees) and encouraged us all to help out on one of the many Citizen Science projects including Nature's Calendar. On-going events
Free Health Walks Health
walks, starting in Priory Road and walking into Alexandra Park, take place every Monday at 10:15 am. Everyone welcome, whatever level of fitness. Lasts 45 minutes. More details.  On 23rd September the Park Run topped 300 runners!
Park Run is organised by volunteers and is free to anyone wishing to take part, but prior registration is needed. See http://www.parkrun.org.uk/allypally.
For an interview with the founder and director of Park Run in Alexandra Park, Catherine Edeam, see Interviews. The Conservation Volunteers April 2018  With this job done, the team moved down to the area above the access road to the Paddock Car Park where some leaning Poplars had previously been felled. Saplings of unwanted species were removed - Ash, Sycamore, Norway Maple and Poplars while Hawthorns, Elder and Blackthorn were left. A date for May work will be settled later. Check here for updates, or contact Tom Nandi our BAT East Project Officer, email t.nandi@tcv.org.uk or call on Tel: 07917 267 573. for more info. They carry out various conservation tasks such as pond clearance, building foot bridges, planting trees, and opening glades to increase bio-diversity. More information on previous TCV work and how to volunteer. Want to hear about future Park and Alexandra Palace Way closures? If you are fascinated by the Trees in the Park you may wish to try out our new and growing "Tree App". Follow this link for details.
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