This is a flagship habitat creation project run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust on the the former Barn Elms Reservoirs alongside the River Thames in Barnes. A wide range of wetland habitats have been created, including two lakes, several smaller ponds, mud and shingle scrapes, reedbeds and an area of grazing marsh intersected by ditches. It also fulfils an extremely important environmental education function. The site has deservedly won international acclaim and has become an exemplar for urban floodplain restoration in a crowded city.Most of the centre is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
London Wetland Centre
Borough: Richmond upon Thames
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Public access (entry fee)
Area: 42.42 ha
Description
Wildlife
Bird-wise, a wide range of wildfowl and wading birds use the site year round. Large numbers of ducks and gulls are present in winter, including nationally important numbers of gadwall and shoveler. Bitterns have become regular in recent winters, offering city-dwellers unique viewing opportunities of this enigmatic bird. Important breeding birds include little ringed plover, lapwing, redshank, water rail, sand martin, reed bunting and reed and sedge warblers. Kingfishers from the nearby Beverley Brook are often seen here too. The site boasts a long and growing list of migrant birds, including several national rarities, on passage to and from elsewhere. The centre also holds a small captive collection of globally endangered wildfowl.Water voles have been introduced, as have slow-worms, grass snakes and common lizards. The site is also uniquely important for foraging bats, with up to seven species regularly present in numbers unprecedented anywhere in the UK.Facilities
Information (visitor centre with educational and interpretive facilities); several viewing hides; café; shop; toilets (including baby changing); outdoor adventure playground and indoor activities for children; free guided tours and regular events.
Bitterns regularly overwinter at London Wetland Centre © Rupert Pye
Avocets bred at London Wetland Centre in 2006 © Mike Waite
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