Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
SKYLARKS are on the red list. That’s serious. If a bird is on the red list it means their numbers are declining dramatically. In the UK the population of skylarks halved during the 1990s and is still declining. Their nest is a hollow on the ground, lined with leaves and grasses. Nesting on the ground has made them vulnerable to changes in farming methods. Plus, increased use of insecticides and weedkillers has contributed to reduced food sources.
But all is not lost – yet. If you take a trip to Warren Farm Nature Reserve you will see signs saying skylarks are nesting in the area so please keep to the paths. Warren Farm is a beautiful rewilded 61-acre urban meadow in Ealing.
In 2019 it was awarded the status of Much-Loved Park by Fields in Trust for its thriving nature.
As well as skylarks, other sightings there include birds such as barn owls and little owls, insects such as yarrow pug, mammals such as weasels, amphibians such as common toads and plants such as rare red-listed clovers.
We’ve spoken about Warren Farm before (Gazette July 7, 2021). We looked then at the petition organised by the Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign which asks Ealing Council and the Mayor of London to ensure that Warren Farm Nature Reserve and the surrounding Brent River Park Meadows are given Local Nature Reserve designation.
This would ensure this area is kept safe from future development and wildlife is protected. It would also mean access to nature is preserved for everyone.
But Warren Farm is now in the news for another reason, Ealing Council has launched a public consultation on its future. They raise the possibility of using some of the site for sports.
The Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign group is asking Ealing Council to designate the whole of Warren Farm and its surrounding meadows as a statutory Local Nature Reserve.
They make the points that, firstly, there are already excellent sports facilities nearby. And, secondly, we’re witnessing biodiversity loss at an alarming rate.
The government now requires councils to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain which the group doesn’t believe will be possible if any of the Warren Farm species rich habitats are lost.
They want the site protected in its entirety for wildlife and for the local community to enjoy for walking, jogging etc for their physical and mental health.
To take part in the consultation go to ealing.gov.uk. For details about Warren Farm and to sign the petition, go to warrenfarm naturereserve.co.uk.