Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The site has an abundance of trees, shrubs and tall flowers that are attractive to birds and invertebrates. Many have been planted, while some are garden escapes. At the centre of the reserve is a large copper beech and other trees include crack willow, wych elm, sycamore, silver birch and black mulberry. These casts deep shade on all but the perimeter of the site. There is a dense scrub/shrub layer including holly, spindle, guelder rose, dogwood, bay, privet and spotted laurel. Thus shade-tolerant species tend to occur beneath the trees, including ivy, enchanter's-nightshade, lords-and-ladies, male fern and wood avens. In more open areas, these are replaced by less shade-tolerant species including black horehound, cow parsley, garlic mustard and bird's-foot-trefoil. A number of young shrubs and trees are present, including hazel, silver birch, hawthorn, blackthorn and goat willow. In the northwestern corner of the reserve is a small pond. This has fat duckweed on its surface, and greater spearwort among the marginal vegetation. Both are uncommon in London. Frogs and newts are recorded in the pond, as well as aquatic invertebrates including pond-skaters. A large number of birds have been recorded using the site including blackcap, redwing, dunnock great-spotted woodpecker, jay and coal tit.

Facilities

No information available