Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The ponds have an attractive fringe of aquatic plants along Honeywood Walk, including purple loosestrife and water mint. The main interest, however, is the waterfowl.Resident in the ponds area are coot, Canada geese, mute swan, tufted duck, mallard and grey wagtail, and a grey heron regularly visits. Winter migrants are attracted to the open water when other ponds have frozen, as Carshalton Ponds have a constant through-flow of water. There are also huge flocks of black-headed gulls, shoveler and mallard.Pipistrelle bats can be seen over the ponds on summer evenings. Common blue damselflies are also regularly seen. Large red damselflies and emperor and black-tailed skimmer dragonflies are occasional visitors.A former source of the Wandle, Westcroft Canal, forms the eastern boundary of Grove Park. It is fringed by large crack willows and wildflowers that include sweet violet and stinking iris. Kingfishers are seen near the Wandle.The churchyard has chalk-loving plants such as upright brome, greater knapweed, dark mullein, three different mallows and four speedwells. Birds frequently seen here include song thrush, long-tailed tits and goldcrest. The purple hairstreak butterfly can be glimpsed high in the oak trees throughout July.

Facilities

Playground; cafe; toilets.