Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

Stretches of the Beam River are characterised by dense marginal vegetation dominated by branched bur-reed. Species scarce in London include curled and broad-leaved pondweeds. Kingfishers frequent the area and reed warblers and reed buntings breed. The floodplain supports a wide diversity of habitats including one small area of willow woodland, which is scarce in London. The Wantz Stream supports both watercress and fool's watercress. Other wet areas host a wide variety of wetland plants including lesser reedmace, reed sweet-grass and yellow iris. The area is important for the specially protected water vole and great crested newt. A series of swales/ponds have been created aside the Wantz Stream, which has significantly added to the site's wetland habitats. As well marginal vegetation these have sizeable beds of reed and great reedmace present. To the south are areas of drier grassland (some of it acidic) with scattered hawthorn scrub which support breeding skylark, linnet and meadow pipit, while tree sparrows are frequent in winter. Areas of acidic grassland support the notable species hare's-foot clover. The sizeable Dagenham East Lake is much used by anglers and supports breeding great crested grebes; it attracts tufted duck, pochard and shoveler in winter. A number of smaller pools support a diverse wetland plant community, including marsh ragwort, a rare species in London. An area of Open Mosaic Habitat lies east of the Lake and south of the railway. A number of locally and/or regionally scarce species occur including spotted medick, common centaury and welted thistle. The site also supports an exceptionally large population of cinnabar moths and caterpillars.

Facilities

Fishing