These large areas of open water are surrounded by dense, high-rise developments. The vertical concrete walls of the docks support a sparse plant community where the original brick and stonework is still present.Access to the docks is open, apart from parts of West India Dock, where further development is underway.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Millwall and West India Docks
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 30.56 ha
Description
Wildlife
Millwall Outer Dock supports the greatest number of colonising plant species on its sides, some associated with wetland habitats, others with drier habitats. They include common skullcap, hemlock water-dropwort, alder, pellitory-of-the-wall and rat's-tail and squirrel-tail fescue grasses.There are tern rafts in the docks, used for breeding by common terns in some years. The docks provide an important area for gulls and other water birds, such as great crested grebe, coots, cormorants and mallards. Waterfowl numbers are always swelled in hard winters.Facilities
Information; cycle paths.
Floating reedbed at West India Dock © John Archer
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