Nestled within a new housing estate called Harp Island Close at the base of the dam of the Welsh Harp Reservoir, thus providing its name. It comprises the higher reach of the Canal Feeder, a stretch of the River Brent (as it continues its journey to the River Thames at Brentford) and adjacent areas of woodland and scrub.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Harp Island
Borough: Brent
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 1.85 ha
Description
Wildlife
The river here is in an open culvert with high vertical banks. Exposed shingle and banks of sediment provide feeding areas for wading birds that occasionally visit this area. Vegetation along the river includes water plantain, greater pond-sedge, reed canary-grass, water-cress, branched bur-reed and bogbean. The top of the channel is densely vegetated with trees and scrub, of sycamore, buddleia, hawthorn, ash and willows.A footbridge from the furthest end of the housing estate crosses the Canal Feeder and leads into an area of shady scrub and small trees. Hawthorn, sycamore, ash, bramble, and crack willow grow here. Wild privet and dogwood are also present. On the banks of the Canal Feeder here are grey willow and mugwort, alongside buddleia, elder, ragwort and bracken.The whole area is generally lively with bird song. Grey herons are regularly seen on the site, indicating the presence of fish.Facilities
No information available
Grey heron © Susy Hogarth
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