1. What are reedbeds?
You may not have come across
reedbeds before – they are
areas of shallow water that
provide just the right
conditions for the UK’s largest
native grass, the common reed
(Phragmites australis).
Why are reedbeds important?
Reedbeds are useful as well as attractive.The roots of reeds help
to prevent bank erosion and are often used in drainage systems
to reduce flash flooding and as natural filter systems to help
clean polluted waters.
They are a rich, natural habitat that provides shelter, nest sites,
and food for a range of wildlife, including some of Britain’s rarest
and most threatened species.
What lives in them?
Reedbeds are particularly rich in insects and other small
creatures.You may see Damselflies such as the Common Blue,
Blue-tailed and Azure, and Dragonflies such as the Emperor,
Southern Hawker and Common Darter. Some interesting and
scarce moths can also be found – but these are usually only seen
flying at night. Pipistrelle bats also forage the reedbeds at night
for insects.
By day, these insects are also food for many birds. Listen out for
the chattering spring courtship songs of Reed Warbler and Sedge
Warbler which migrate here from Africa to breed.Water birds
that like to hide among the reeds include the Little Grebe, and in
winter, the Water Rail occasionally visits.
Supporters
Reed Elsevier has provided generous financial and volunteer
support which has enabled us to undertake this project.
The Royal Parks is an active member of the London Biodiversity
Partnership.This group works to conserve
and enhance the capital's wildlife and natural
places for future generations.
History of St. James’s Park
St James’s Park was once a marshy watermeadow grazed on
by pigs.The often-flooding River Tyburn through it providing
abundant fish.
13th Century
A women’s leper hospital was founded creating
a leper colony and giving the Park its name.
16th Century
The Park was purchased in 1532 by
Henry VIII, who wanted a royal deer park
near St. James’s Palace for hunting.
17th Century
In 1603, King James I drained and landscaped the
park. Birds for the royal table were lured using a
duck decoy at the east end.
Charles II made significant changes to St. James’s Park after
seeing the classical French style during his exile in France.
A long canal was created with avenues of trees and lawns laid
on each side.The diplomatic gifting of pelicans, that continues
today, began when a Russian Ambassador presented a pair to
King Charles in 1664. Duck Island was built in 1665 as a
sanctuary and breeding ground for wildfowl and other birds.
An aviary was added to Birdcage Walk to house exotic birds.
For the first time, areas of the Park were opened to the public
and promenading through the Park became a fashionable
social event.
19th Century
The Park was remodelled again in the naturalistic style in the
1820’s by John Nash, commissioned by the Prince Regent
(later George IV).The canal became a curving lake within a
rolling landscape, with winding paths and informal shrubberies.
In 1857 a suspension bridge was added across the lake, replaced
in 1967 with the bridge there today.
Today
St. James’s Park retains Nash’s style to this day.
Water has always been a prominent feature in St. James’s Park –
from medieval times when the whole area was a water meadow,
to the present-day ornamental lake.
After the First World War, two tumbling water fountains were
introduced to the lake, but they were switched off at the end of
the last millennium because of long-term wear and tear.
The Swire Fountain, opened in January 2007, forms a stunning
new centrepiece for the lake.This sparkling plume brings the
lake alive – especially when illuminated at night by eight
energy-efficient spotlights.
The Swire Fountain
• The existing fountain equipment was removed by the
Metropolitan Police Diving Team and sent to a specialist
restorer
• The metal-work was shot blasted, the valves were renewed
and the old pipework was replaced
• The Swire fountain is powered by an energy-efficient pump,
which feeds water through nearly 25m (80ft) of pipe before it
is recycled back into the lake
• The jets of water reach over 4.5m (15ft) high, propelled by
50 valves set to a pressure of 7 kilos per cm (100psi)
Benefits of The Swire Fountain
Apart from its visual impact, the Swire Fountain
plays an important role in keeping the lake
healthy. Combined with the effects of the
reedbeds, it helps oxygenate the water and
improve the quality, so that the amazing variety of
wildlife dependent on the lake – including
invertebrate, fish and bird populations – can flourish.
Supporters
The Swire Fountain was restored with generous support from
John Swire & Sons, working with The Royal Parks Foundation,
the charity for The Royal Parks.
www.royalparksfoundation.org
Water Past and PresentReedbeds in St. James’s Park