Herschel Park

Flora and Fauna

Grey squirrels are common in Herschel Park

The park has an arboretum planted during its first construction in the Victorian era. Some trees in the park and reserve have boxes attached to their trunks for various species of birds and bats. The pond is in two parts, each with an island providing sanctuaries for water birds such as ducks, coots and Egyptian geese.

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Snowdrops are bulbous perennial herbaceous plants. The scientific name Galanthus comes from the Greek gála meaning ‘milk’ and ánthos meaning ‘flower’. There are about 20 species within the genus. They are characterised by having pendulous white flowers on a short stem with two leaves.

Snowdrops appear mid-February

Galanthus is native to Europe and the Middle East and has been introduced as an ornamental species in North America, subsequently naturalising on that continent. Galanthus nivalis is the most widespread and grows best in woodland, in acid or alkaline soil.

Forget me not (Myosotis - )

The scientific name Myosotis comes from the Greek and means ‘mouse’s ear’ and refers to the shape of the leaf. The common name comes from the German Vergissmeinnicht and was first used in English in the late 14th century.

There are 74 known accepted species of Myosotis worldwide. In Britain the flowers appear in spring. The flowers are typically 1cm diameter and are usually blue with yellow centres but pink, white and yellow flowers can occur even on the same inflorence.

Forget me nots can mostly be found in the nature reserve area of the park.

Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

Poppies grow in open grassland and as weeds in farm fields. Before herbicides were used it was often mistaken for a crop but the only species to be grown deliberately is the opium poppy, papaver somniferum.

Papaver rhoeas grows up to about 70cm tall with flowers of 5-10cm diameter appearing in late spring. The four petals overlap and are deep orange to red in colour. They have a black spot with yellow stamens in the middle.

Since World War One the flower has become a symbol for servicemen who died in that conflict as well as in other conflicts since. Poppies grew in the disturbed soil of no man’s land on the Western front and feature in the poem In Flanders Fields written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

Poppies can mostly be found in the nature reserve area of the park.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Herons are tall, with long legs, a long neck, a long beak which yellow underneath and dark grey on top. Their plumage is grey, black and white. Their legs are generally yellow/pinkish.

Herons are related to storks and ibises. Native and widespread in the UK grey herons not thought to be under any conservation threat but are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

An estimated 13,000 nests exist each year and are generally re-used by the same pair. UK breeding population do not migrate. The UK wintering population is thought to be around 63,000 possibly young birds and maybe some from the near continent.

Herons will stand in shallow water watching patiently for their prey which is typically fish, amphibians, crustaceans and even small birds such as ducklings. They will also use a similar technique in open fields to hunt for insects, reptiles and small mammals.

Length: 90-98cm; wing span: 175-195cm; Weight: 1.5-2kg

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus

Egyptian geese were introduced in the late 17th century as ornamental wildfowl for private collections from their native Africa. Many escaped over time and are now breeding successfully as a resident species in south-eastern Britain.

More detail on the Egyptian Goose can be found on the Exotic Birdlife page within the Jubilee River page.

The ponds are too small for swans to land on or take off from so they never visit. Nor do grebes or cormorants again because the ponds are too small to sustain enough fish for them to eat. The largest wildfowl on the ponds that I have seen are Canada geese.

Access

Upton Park Estate is private as are its roads that come off the A412 Albert Street/The Mere. The public can drive on these roads but street parking by non- residents can result in wheel clamping. These roads don’t show on Google Street View because they are not allowed to use the photo van on private roads.

Car Parking

The car park to the north which a public car park is accessed via Upton Close off the A412. The Kiosk Gate entrance is close by. For Satnav N51°30’13” W0°35’35”

The car park to the east is accessed off the B376 Datchet Road just south of the Red Cow roundabout. Both car parks have limited space so it is best to visit on a weekday. For Satnav N51°30’08” W0°35’27”

Gates

There are four main entrance gates and one smaller gate:

• Upton Park Gate in the south-west

• Lucombe Oak Gate in the north-west

• Kiosk Gate and car park to the north

• Datchet Road Gate and car park to the east

• The small gate is to the west opposite West Villas