Autumn ambles: A short walk around Railway Fields

A minor health problem prevented me from taking my walk across Tottenham this week but as I was at the doctors around the corner, I decided to cheer myself up with a quick walk around our very own nature reserve on Green Lanes, Railway Fields.

I was not disappointed. So much to see although you might have to keep your eyes peeled to spot some of the treasures in the undergrowth.

The first thing you'll notice is that the ubiquitous ivy is in bloom. Ivy gets a bad rap but its one of the best plants for wildlife. It flowers in autumn when there is very little else on offer and offers calorie-rich food for birds and insects like bees, hoverflies and butterflies. Ivy climbs up trees but does them no harm, although the weight of them may pull some trees down in the winter wind. It also absorbs pollution (which is why some schools are using it as a green fence around their premises). All hail the humble ivy! (Incidentally, ivy is kept under control in Railway Fields by the use of the parasitic broomrape flower which you'll spot sticking up from the ground ivy)

There are, of course, still plenty of other berries for the birds to feast on at the moment including these

There's even some fruit for them

If you look closely you'll see the remains of artichoke galls, left by artichoke gall wasps -The female lays single eggs within leaf buds of Oak using her ovipositor causing an Artichoke shaped gall to form.The gall is more likely to be seen than the adult wasp. This is what is left at this time of year

Just going to share my love of teasels - loved by bees when they are in flower and birds when they have gone to seed; and me when I find a clump of them.

Insects are well catered for this winter with the luxury sky scraper bug hotel

and the amazing bug shelter that volunteers have created along one wall of their shed.

Some bugs, though, have found their own space to hide. He's so well camouflaged you'd not spot him if you weren't (like me) in the habit of poking about in bits of old wood

A few flowers continue to bloom - winter rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) still has flowers. The genus name is derived from St Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen and miners. This plant in the past was used to soothe the wounds caused by explosions.

There are two patches of cyclamen, one white, one purple also in bloom. My old pal Pliny recommended that all homes have one ' where it grows no noxious spells can have effect'. It also plays a part in love divination where its tubers are baked into cakes, but pregnant women need to stay away as it can bring on miscarriages - indeed its tubers were used to bring on menstruation. Pigs like it, hence its alternative name of 'sowbread' Added to booze it would make a the drinker exceedingly drunk very quickly. The ones at Railway Fields are probably garden escapees as the plant is native to the Mediterranean and NorthEast Africa.

Saving the best until last, I was delighted to be shown a handsome birch polypore up on the new top path by the railway track. Birch polypore is edible though I've never tried it and is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Personally I just like to admire it in situ.

I didn't find any other fungi except this tiny and unidentified one on the woodland floor - maybe you can tell me what it is?

Railway Fields is open Mon-Fri from 9-5. Weekend openings can vary but is generally open every Saturday until the end of October (11am-2pm) and on the second and last Sunday of every month (11am-2pm), weather and volunteer availability permitting. There are also frequent special events which are advertised on HOL. Keep an eye out for them.

You can find out more about the Friends of Railway Fields here.

TCV, who run Railway Fields, also offer volunteering opportunities in practical conservation and education. 

A special thanks goes to Cliff, the site manager, who showed me the birch polypore and the artichoke galls and who knows pretty much everything there is to know about the diverse plants and species on the site.