These woods are the largest remnant of the historic Great North Wood, and are one of the closest ancient woodlands to central London. However, this situation is responsible for the many exotic plant species now apparent among the original ancient trees on the site. As well as the woods themselves, there are several old field ponds here too. Sydenham Hill Wood is a Local Nature Reserve managed by London Wildlife Trust.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood
Borough: Southwark
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 28.65 ha
Description
Wildlife
The woods are mostly made up of sessile oak and hornbeam, with a wide variety of other tree and shrub species. In all, there are over 200 species of trees and wildflowers. These include numerous indicators of long-established woodland, such as wild wood anemone, lily-of-the-valley and hairy wood-rush. Over 174 species of fungi have been recorded in the site. Mosses include Mnium punctatum at its only known London locality. All three British woodpeckers breed in the woods, along with nuthatch, treecreeper, tawny owl and sparrowhawk. Hawfinches are sometimes recorded and may also breed occasionally. Insects include the purple hairstreak butterfly and several nationally scarce bees and wasps. Several species of bats occur in the woods, including brown long-eared bat, and may roost in the disused railway tunnel near Crescent Wood Road. The ponds are in fine condition and support many amphibians and dragonflies.Facilities
Interpretation; historic features; public art
No photo yet available for this site
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