Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The 800 metre section of the Duke of Northumberland's River between Kneller Road and its junction with the River Crane is straight and shallow, with a gravelly bed. Despite its vertical banks, some marginal vegetation has established, including a few clumps of great pond-sedge (Carex riparia) and scattered plants of common skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata), water-pepper (Persicaria hydropiper) and marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre). Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia), an uncommon plant in London, emerges from the water in places, and river water-crowfoot (Ranunculus fluitans) and unbranched bur-reed (Sparganium emersum) grow beneath the surface. Kingfishers are commonly seen, feeding on the abundant fish population, which includes chub and stone loach, the latter becoming rather scarce in Britain.