Croydon Ducks - South Norwood Country Park

Croydon Ducks - South Norwood Country Park - 2017

Latest update:6th October 2017

External Links: Council Information Goggle Map Croydon RSPB Wikipedia

South Norwood County Park is a 125 acre park, adjacent to Elmers End railway station, three tram stations and Beckenham
Cemetery. It is mostly wild wet meadows and woods, with a large pond or lake. The land was originally a sewage farm, then
unused for many years and only developed as a park 25 years ago.

There is a car park in the park, entrance in Albert Road (SE25 4QL for satnavs, both shown on the map above) next to the Croydon
Sports Arena, parallel to Portland Road in South Norwood, and entrances from the three tram stations, Elmers End, Arena and Harrington
Road. The park is closed at night. Note that South Norwood Lake and Grounds is a different park, a couple of miles away.

There is visitor centre with toilets next to the car park, but it's only open for two hours weekend afternoons. Also an excellent children's
playground and pitch and putt. There are lots of paths through the park, with cycling encouraged, but no sign posts and some of the
smaller paths are hard to find. The park is well managed for wildlife, with natural fences made from tree trunks and branches around the
pond and along the streams to stop dogs worrying the wildlife. The pond has a large island for nesting and resting, and four small jetties
for visitors to feed the wild fowl. There is a no fishing in the lake.

Older Photos of South Norwood Country Park - 2016

2nd June 2017, first visit this year, don't get here too often. Lake seems quiet, but various birds are heading my way from the island.

Not much happeNing in the south of the lake, although there are Coots and Moorhens around the edge.

More park visitors at another viewing jetty.

Canada geese, Coots and a white duck.

More Canada geese.

A swan is heading my way.

Some Mallards have flown across the pond to join the swan.

A second swan in the distance.

Trees around the edge have been cut back, not seen this view of the northern corner in earlier years, although I guess it must have been
visible years earlier otherwise this sign would not be here. A Coot has built a nest behind the sign.

The second viewing jetty, the same birds are following me.

The swan has arrived again.

View from the third jetty, this is the nursery area but no ducklings.

Meanwhile lots of activity on the island.

The second swan arrives from the island, others come from the first jetty immediately opposite.

Now the swans are together.

Swans and geese don't really get on.

Now at the fourth viewing jetty, where two Canada geese goslings are found.

And also two Egyptian geese goslings, almost fully grown, goslings at the right front, two parents behind them.

The Egyptian geese family again, back of photos. Another family at Kelsey Park, explains why there are so many in our parks.

The Canada geese family swimming away.

16th July 2017, from the eastern jetty the lake seems quiet.

Usual ducks and geese, no ducklings or goslings to be seen here.

This white domestic duck seems a regular fixture here.

The view from the south eastern corner where trees have been cut back.

Climbing the barrier made of tree trunks reveals a hidden beach area protected from dogs, and Mallard and Coot families.

The ideal corner for ducklngs, away from feeding jetties.

Although the odd goose does swim down here.

The Coot family.

The Mallard family, four ducklings.

Around at the southern jetty, most of the birds I've already fed have come for more, with a few from the island.

And more arriving from the island.

Including a Egyptian goose familty, now fully grown, white heads with eye rings.

Still some lazy birds on the island, including a heron and I believe two cormorants in the centre.

Clearer view of the Egyptian geese.

Now moved to the western jetty, same birds here again.

Only some Coot chicks in the distance.

Two Moorhens at the back.

Very quiet at the northern jetty behind the island, just a Coot and chicks.

Coot chick again.

Three Mallards have arrived from the island, but not very hungry.

All is now peaceful on the lake. No swans this visit.

6th August 2017, mix of Canada Geese and Mallard ducks, one domestic duck and early sea gulls.

Several ducks have unusual colouring, white chests.

Looking toward the southern beach on the lake.

One of the streams surrounding the lake.

The southern beach, only a Coot family here for this visit.

View of the island from the southern jetty.

Zoomed in, a Grey Heron and two Cormorants on the island.

Around at the western jetty, the same ducks are following me.

Another of the streams around the lake.

Very little happening south of the island, couple of geese and some Coots.

A few more geese arriving, but generally the lake is very quiet this summer.