Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

Much of the woodland is oak, but there are also unusual sections of mixed ash and maple. Other trees include both downy and silver birch. The well-developed shrub layer is mainly of hazel and hawthorns, with holly, rowan and crab-apple.At ground level the plantlife in the wood is exceptional and includes many species indicative of long-established woodland. These include wood spurge, stinking iris, goldilocks buttercup, early-purple orchid, three-veined sandwort and toothwort. The wood is the only remaining London locality for the enigmatic woodland lily, herb-Paris. The adjacent meadows support the nationally rare plant greater yellow-rattle, pyramidal orchid and various common butterflies.Breeding birds in the wood include goldcrest, hawfinch and woodcock. It is also one of the few sites in Croydon for the declining marsh tit. Selsdon Wood is also important for its bats.

Facilities

Car parking; toilets; recycling. The London LOOP passes through the wood.The park rangers organise guided walks around the wood – see the Croydon Council link for details.