The lake at Birchmere was created in the 1970s as part of the initial development of Thamesmead. The lake has good edge and bankside vegetation and contains an interesting community of fish. It is therefore also popular for angling. The Green Chain Walk passes the eastern side of the lake.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Birchmere
Borough: Greenwich
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 5.78 ha
Description
Wildlife
Much of the vegetation on the banks and at the edges of the lake has been planted, and includes extensive beds of common reed with great reedmace, common club-rush and galingale. Several other species have probably colonised naturally, including lesser water-parsnip and round-fruited rush, both rare in London. The lake supports breeding mute swan, mallard and moorhen, and common terns regularly feed here. Reed warblers nest in the reeds, and a good range of dragonflies includes black-tailed skimmer, emperor, brown hawker and common blue damselfly.Facilities
Fishing; waymarked walking route
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