The Chase and Eastbrookend Country Park

Site of Importance for Nature Conservation

M090 The Chase and Eastbrookend Country Park

Grid ref: TQ 512 863

Area (ha): 147.1

Borough(s): Barking & Dagenham, Havering

Site first notified: 19/09/1988 Boundary last changed: 01/11/2002

Citation last edited: 06/01/2003

Habitat: Neutral and acid grassland, scrub, secondary woodland, river, wetlands

A large area of former gravel workings beside the River Rom, comprising a mosaic of grazed wetland and terrestrial habitats. The country park was restored later than the Chase, although the two sites are complementary in terms of their habitat diversity. Shallow pools support a rich aquatic vegetation, including the London rarities sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritima), lesser reedmace (Typha angustifolia) and common and thread-leaved water-crowfoots (Ranunculus aquatilis, R. trichophyllus), and attract numerous waterfowl and waders. The dry acid grassland supports one of London's few populations of spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa), while other uncommon species include sand spurrey (Spergularia rubra) and hare's-foot clover (Trifolium arvense). Lapwing, little ringed plover, little grebe, yellowhammer and skylark all breed. Blocks of scrub and secondary woodland add further habitat diversity. Beds of reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima) and tall herbaceous vegetation beside the river attract breeding warblers and water rail. Birds wintering here include snipe, teal and many others. The site is also regularly visited by a long list of passage species, some nationally rare. Several mature black poplars (Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia) grow near the river, at one of the very few native London sites for this nationally declining tree (a UK and London BAP priority species). Mammals include the declining harvest mouse and the specially-protected water vole. There is a visitor centre and the site attracts many visitors for education and informal recreation. The Chase is a Local Nature Reserve managed by the London Wildlife Trust.

Copyright L.B. Havering/Greater London Authority 2003