Hay-a-Park Web Site
Chapter 4
Recent History
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Part of Hay-a-Park is now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, as amended. (Date of Notification 15th June 1995 - Site Code 1007169).
National Grid Reference SE 362 581
Area 44.95 hectares (111.03 acres)
The official Notification states, "The site known as Hay-a-Park is of interest for its breeding birds and wintering wildfowl. The site lies immediately to the east of the urban edge of Knaresborough and comprises a large lake of 24 hectares and three small ponds to the south, with associated areas of reedbed, scrub, mature hedgerow and grassland. With the exception of some initial tree planting and grazing of the grassland these habitats have developed naturally from gravel workings largely undisturbed since the completion of extraction in the early 1970's.
The site is of national importance for wintering goosander with numbers regularly exceeding 150 birds and a peak count recorded of 315 birds. These birds are thought to originate from the rivers Wharfe and Nidd and are probably a separate population to that found using Eccup Reservoir in West Yorkshire. The site is also of local importance for other wildfowl including greylag goose, wigeon, mallard and coot. The open grassland adjacent to the lake is important for feeding wigeon and geese and regularly supports large numbers of migrating oystercater during the spring.
Breeding birds include great-crested grebe, mallard, tufted duck, ringed plover and common sandpiper, with kingfisher and common tern using the area for feeding. The small ponds support sedge and grasshopper warbler and also hold one of the most northerly inland breeding populations of reed warbler in Britain".
When we first started this history section on Hay-a-Park we thought we might be lucky to find enough information to do a couple of paragraphs - how wrong we were! Now we find we have only just scratched the surface and still need to do a lot more research on what happened before 1300's; the iron mine; which Kings and Queens visited the site, etc.
Coming more up to date we would like to find out what species of fish were initially stocked in the lake. We know there are tench, pike, perch, bream and carp, because we have either seen them or found their remains.
If anyone can help us with our research into the history of the site or has any interesting stories, photographs, etc, please email us at oldcuckoos@hotmail.com
Disclaimer
All the information on this site is given in good faith. It is not our intention to mislead or misdirect. It is a hobby site for your general interest and enjoyment only. As far as we know all the land and property in and around Hay-a-Park is either privately owned or in the hands of the local authority. The area is criss-crosssed with lanes, bridleways and footpaths; most are clearly signposted. We do not in any way guarantee access, your safety or presume rights of way. It is our understanding that there are no current fishing rights on any of the lakes.
Please respect the land owners' property and follow the Country Code.
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