Local Wildlife Site

Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

River Ravensbourne at Peter Pan's Park & Southend Pond
Borough: Lewisham
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 0.89 ha

Description

The key nature conservation interest of this site is the short section of River Ravensbourne which runs through the park, surrounded by some fine mature trees. Southend Pond or (‘Peter Pan’s Pool’) is also one of the best places in the borough of Lewisham for common waterfowl.

Wildlife

The mature trees are dominated by Norway maple and sycamore, with occasional ash and beech. The trees support features that could be of value to roosting bats and birds. Beneath the trees are a few scattered shrubs of hawthorn and elder. Tall herbs are dominated by cow parsley and amenity grassland. Marginal vegetation is sparse, predominantly composed of pendulous sedge. Butterbur, an uncommon plant in Lewisham, has been recorded beside the river. At Southend Pond, mallards, moorhens and Canada geese all nest on the small island that is covered with alder trees. Grey herons are regular visitors, and more unusual birds occasionally turn up, including a water rail. The pond has little marginal vegetation other than a little marsh marigold, purple loosestrife and pendulous sedge, which survives in planters. A few non-native trees have been planted at the pond's edge, namely alder and dawn redwood.

Facilities

No information available.
No photo yet available for this site

No photo yet available for this site

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More information on GiGL’s SINC dataset can be found here.

Additional information, including other site designations and species recorded onsite and nearby, can be provided in community and client data search reports. Request information here.