Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The primary school contains mature trees such as horse chestnut and lime, clearly dating from the former houses. There is a small area of rough grassland near the Porchester Terrace entrance containing a number of species that would not typically be expected in an inner city playing field, such as burnet-saxifrage and crested dog's-tail. There are several areas of shrubbery and hedge, providing cover for birds. There is a delightful flower garden, with many good nectar varieties, behind the main reception office, and a science garden, with a small area of created meadow, and a very attractive wildflower garden with a small pond. The wildflower garden contains many plants that are no longer found growing wild in Westminster, such as salad burnet and wild clary.The housing estate contains blocks of flats separated by wide greens. These contain many mature trees, including limes, sycamore and London plane, which clearly stem from the former communal back garden. There are small flower and rose beds near the housing blocks and in an attractive 'over 60s' garden, as well as several areas of shrubbery, especially on the steep banks around the perimeter. A thicket of hawthorn, holly and firethorn provides particularly good cover.Over the estate as a whole, breeding birds include blackbird, dunnock and wren. Blue tit and woodpigeon are also present. Perhaps the most notable feature is the survival of hedgehogs in this most urban site.

Facilities

No information available