Southfields Recreation Ground Nature Area includes a meadow and small woodland with a good population of stag beetles. Until about 15 years ago, the site was a typical sports field with a few trees around the edge. Then Ealing Council began to carry out some biodiversity enhancements, starting with a small area of woodland, which is now maturing nicely. Large numbers of stag beetle larvae were found and the management of the site is now tailored to meet the needs of this large beetle. Next they developed an area of wildflower meadow, now supporting a wide variety of native grasses and herbs. The most recent development is a fine pond.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Southfields Recreation Ground Nature Area
Borough: Ealing
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 1.02 ha
Description
Wildlife
This site mainly consists of a small, planted woodland which is now starting to mature. There is a mixture of mainly native woody species including pedunculate oak, wild cherry, hornbean, silver birch and field maple. A large population of stag beetle larvae were found here in a pile of wood chippings and the management of the site now includes maintaining and increasing the area of wood chippings to provide extra habitat for the beetle. A small area of grassland south of the wood is managed as a meadow by cutting the grass once a year in late summer. The meadow supports a variety of native grasses and herbs as well as many tussocks of the non-native grass California brome which appears to be expanding its range in west London. The pond supports a thriving community of amphibians.Facilities
No information available
Southfields Recreation Ground Nature Area © Jan Hewlett
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