London's longest nature reserve
Parkland Walk
The Parkland Walk runs a long the line of a disused railway. It connects Finsbury Park, Highgate Woods and the park around Alexandra Palace.
The plants
No trees grew along the line when the trains ran. The trees we see today have grown since the line closed in 1971. Most of the trees have arrived naturally (such as oak, ash, birch, holly and rowan) but others have been planted (such as hazel, white poplar and field maple).
Hundreds of different plants grow along the reserve. These help to support the variety of animal life.
The animals
More than twenty varieties of butterfly have been seen in the reserve. Larger animals include foxes and deer. Over sixty species of bird have been seen.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 10 February 2008
