Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

In Wanstead Flats the most interesting plant life is to be found in the acid grassland. It is dominated by wavy hair-grass and various bents and fescues, with patches of mat-grass, heath-rush, heath wood-rush and creeping willow. Wall barley is found in disturbed areas and by roadsides. Small areas of heather are also present, together with petty whin. In total, 780 species of flowering plants have been recorded. The insect life is also exceptional, with the assemblage of species found typically around the Thames estuary especially well-represented. In all, 23 species of butterflies have been recorded, as well as numerous species of bees, wasps, ants and spiders, including the nationally rare digger-wasp Diodontus insidiosus. Bats, reptiles and amphibians are also to be seen on the site. Bush Wood is mostly English oak, with some large sweet chestnuts and thickets of hawthorn and holly. It also features mature hornbeam trees, which are their natural shape unlike those pollarded in other parts of Epping Forest. In all 22 species of tree have been documented here. Wanstead Park is more formal than the rest of Epping Forest, consisting of old parkland, acid grassland and a series of interconnected ornamental lakes. Here grey herons are often seen, a reminder of the famous heronry here at the turn of the century. This is a delightful area in springtime when bluebells and the many migrant birds can be appreciated.

Facilities

Information (at City of London depot in Wanstead Park); car parking; visitor centre; exhibitions; waymarked walking trails; fishing; pond dipping; playing fields