One of Bexley’s most important rivers, with several regionally important plants and supporting varied populations of fish, birds and invertebrates. The river has undergone significant improvements during the past several years and further work is planned through the River Shuttle Restoration Acton Plan. Stretches of the river are now naturalised and re-planted, and they support good quality wetland and marginal habitats.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
River Shuttle
Borough: Bexley
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 8.1 ha
Description
Wildlife
The rivers supports a good wetland flora, including curled pondweed, cyperus sedge, arrowhead, common club-rush, flowering-rush, brooklime, water forget-me-not, square-stalked St John's-wort and sea club-rush. It also supports varied populations of fish, including chub and bullhead, and breeding birds including kingfisher. The river corridor is used by grey wagtail, greenfinch, blackcap, siskin and heron. Habitat suitable for water voles is present along the river and anecdotal evidence suggests they are present in small numbers. The site includes a small woodland dominated by mature oak with elm and associated semi-improved grassland, and it supports purple hairstreak butterflies. The small grassland area supports London rare species narrowleaved bird's-foot trefoil and hare's-foot clover, as well as thyme-leaved speedwell and early hair-grass. A few plants of Himalayan balsam were recorded near the foot bridge across A2 and removal is strongly advised before the balsam spreads.Facilities
No information available.
No photo yet available for this site
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