Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The most important habitat feature in Peckham Rye Park is the only remaining above-ground section of the River Peck. The stream is heavily shaded by native, unmanaged wet woodland dominated by alder, ash and pedunculated oak with a ground cover of pendulous sedge and bramble. Although somewhat altered with weirs, other artificial structures and ornamental planting, some sections are still in their natural banks and includes yellow flag, watercress, water figwort and cuckooflower. The largest of three ponds supports marginal vegetation including hemp agrimony, while a variety of waterfowl nest on the wooded island, including tufted duck, coot, Canada goose and mallard. Substantial flocks of gulls visit the park in winter and bats are likely to forage over the water. A small block of predominantly native woodland, on the boundary between the Park and the Common, is dominated by oak and ash with a well-developed understory, but sparse ground flora. Spring bulbs have been planted in previous years. This and several dense shrubberies support a good bird population and small numbers of pipistrelle bats are present. Infrequently mown grassland is located in three large areas. The two within the common are thought to be natural relics, whilst the third was seeded in 2009. All have a similar composition including giant fescue, ladies bedstraw, meadowsweet, black knapweed and wild carrot with frequent anthills in the common areas. The rest of the park, and most of the Common, consists of amenity grassland with some fine mature trees. The nationally-scarce musk stork's-bill occurs in short turf in the north of the Common. A small community garden managed by the Friends of Peckham Rye supports a small pond with good marginal vegetation, a stag beetle loggery and a range of nectar rich herbaceous planting. Peirmont Green in the south western corner of the site includes amenity grassland and mature native and ornamental trees, while the northern areas include mature trees and hard standing.

Facilities

Information; visitor centre; toilet; baby changing; disabled toilets; disabled access; picnic area; playgrounds