Isleworth Ait
Encyclopedia
Isleworth Ait, 3.5 hectares (8.6 acre) is a teardrop shaped island
in the River Thames
in England. It is on the Tideway
near Isleworth
in the London Borough of Hounslow
, and is one of the longest ait
s. It lies offshore from Heron's Place, and is opposite the "London Apprentice" public house.
Isleworth Ait is covered by densely-packed trees, and provides a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. It floods regularly, but is home to more than 57 species of bird life, including the tree-creeper, kingfisher and heron. Two rare species of air-breathing land gastropods
also live on the island, the two-lipped door snail Balea biplicata and the German hairy snail Pseudotrichia rubiginosa
, as well as several rare species of beetles. This variety of unusual wildlife makes the island one of the London Wildlife Trust
's most remarkable reserves. It is a Local Nature Reserve
.
Isleworth Ait was once a centre for the production of osier - a willow which used to be harvested on the island to weave baskets to carry fruit and vegetables grown in Middlesex
to the markets in London. There used to be five neighbouring islands, but these have all disappeared over the centuries, some being destroyed by passing boat traffic. The River Crane
flows into the Thames to the south of Isleworth Ait.
Thames Water
owns the island, which houses the outfall from the nearby Mogden sewage treatment works, returning treated water to the river Thames. The Metropolitan Water Board
bought the island from the Duke of Northumberland
in the 1930s. Hounslow Council has designated Isleworth Ait a "Local Nature Reserve". The Ait is looked after by a team of volunteers who are part of the Hounslow branch of the London Wildlife Trust.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in England. It is on the Tideway
Tideway
The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...
near Isleworth
Isleworth
Isleworth is a small town of Saxon origin sited within the London Borough of Hounslow in west London, England. It lies immediately east of the town of Hounslow and west of the River Thames and its tributary the River Crane. Isleworth's original area of settlement, alongside the Thames, is known as...
in the London Borough of Hounslow
London Borough of Hounslow
-Political composition:Since the borough was formed it has been controlled by the Labour Party on all but two occasions. In 1968 the Conservatives formed a majority for the first and last time to date until they lost control to Labour in 1971. Labour subsequently lost control of the council in the...
, and is one of the longest ait
Ait
An ait is a small island. It is especially used to refer to islands found on the River Thames and its tributaries in England....
s. It lies offshore from Heron's Place, and is opposite the "London Apprentice" public house.
Isleworth Ait is covered by densely-packed trees, and provides a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. It floods regularly, but is home to more than 57 species of bird life, including the tree-creeper, kingfisher and heron. Two rare species of air-breathing land gastropods
Gastropoda
The Gastropoda or gastropods, more commonly known as snails and slugs, are a large taxonomic class within the phylum Mollusca. The class Gastropoda includes snails and slugs of all kinds and all sizes from microscopic to quite large...
also live on the island, the two-lipped door snail Balea biplicata and the German hairy snail Pseudotrichia rubiginosa
Pseudotrichia rubiginosa
Pseudotrichia rubiginosa, sometimes known as the "German hairy snail", is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Hygromiidae, the hairy snails and their allies.- Life cycle :...
, as well as several rare species of beetles. This variety of unusual wildlife makes the island one of the London Wildlife Trust
London Wildlife Trust
London Wildlife Trust was founded in 1981. It is one of 47 members of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts , each of which is a local nature conservation charity for its area....
's most remarkable reserves. It is a Local Nature Reserve
Local Nature Reserve
Local nature reserve or LNR is a designation for nature reserves in the United Kingdom. The designation has its origin in the recommendations of the Wild Life Conservation Special Committee which established the framework for nature conservation in the United Kingdom and suggested a national suite...
.
Isleworth Ait was once a centre for the production of osier - a willow which used to be harvested on the island to weave baskets to carry fruit and vegetables grown in Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
to the markets in London. There used to be five neighbouring islands, but these have all disappeared over the centuries, some being destroyed by passing boat traffic. The River Crane
River Crane, London
The River Crane is a river in west London, England, and is a tributary of the River Thames.-Location:The River Crane is 8.5 miles in length...
flows into the Thames to the south of Isleworth Ait.
Thames Water
Thames Water
Thames Water Utilities Ltd, known as Thames Water, is the private utility company responsible for the public water supply and waste water treatment in large parts of Greater London, the Thames Valley, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Kent, and some other areas of in the United Kingdom...
owns the island, which houses the outfall from the nearby Mogden sewage treatment works, returning treated water to the river Thames. The Metropolitan Water Board
Metropolitan Water Board
The Metropolitan Water Board was founded in 1903 to bring the nine private water companies supplying water to London under a single public body. The members of the board were nominated by the various local authorities within its area of supply. A Royal Commission had reported in 1899 on the need...
bought the island from the Duke of Northumberland
Duke of Northumberland
The Duke of Northumberland is a title in the peerage of Great Britain that has been created several times. Since the third creation in 1766, the title has belonged to the House of Percy , which held the title of Earl of Northumberland from 1377....
in the 1930s. Hounslow Council has designated Isleworth Ait a "Local Nature Reserve". The Ait is looked after by a team of volunteers who are part of the Hounslow branch of the London Wildlife Trust.