Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The acid grassland is a mixture of re-seeded rye-grass and the original acid grassland, which contains heath-grass, which is scarce in London, and compact rush, which is rare in Southwark, among bents and fescues. This is one of only two sites in the Borough with acid grassland. Towards the southern part of the site (at the top of the hill), acid indicators are largely absent, with mainly tussock-forming grasses such as cocksfoot and false oat grass. The woodland is dominated by pedunculate oak and ash, but there are also a large number of mature London plane and hybrid black-poplar, relics from the former landscaping. The latter bears numerous woodpecker holes, providing roosting opportunities for bats. On the ground you can find male fern and native bluebell. Being part of a hilly ridge, forming a green chain with other wooded and open spaces , it is a traditional migratory route for birds. Warblers (black cap, chiff chaff, willow and garden) visit in summer, whilst redwing, fieldfare and firecrest arrive in winter. Over 50 species of birds have been recorded including swifts, starlings, dunnock and song thrush along with sightings of birds of prey such as red kite and common kestrel. Common lizard, slow-worm, and stag beetles are also present. The numbers and range of species present are indicative of the variety of habitats present and the size of the site.

Facilities

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