Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

St Mary's Church provides an important cultural focal point. It is surrounded by a small garden, with short mown turf and scattered trees, principally London plane and lime with occasional false-acacia. More recent planting along the motorway interface includes white beam, holly, hornbeam, lime and ornamental maples. To the west, adjoining the former parish hall, this planting is continued with field maple and hazel. The grass contains a surprising diversity of wild flowers, including germander speedwell (Veronica chaemydrys) self heal (Prunella vulgaris), cut-leaved crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum), cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata), lesser trefoil (Trifolium dubium) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Formerly the burial ground for St Mary's Church, St Mary's Gardens was converted into a public park some years ago. It consists mainly of open grassland with scattered trees, including a fine weeping ash (Fraxinius excelsior var pendula). A community of mosses and ferns has colonised the west wall and the tombstones stacked against it. Five species of ferns are present: male fern (Dryopteris felix-mas), bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), hart's-tongue (Phyllitis scolopendrium), wall rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria) and black spleenwort (A. adiantum-nigrum). This is the only known Westminster site for the latter two of these, both of which are scarce in London. Paddington Green is a small green space, with scattered mature London plane (Platanus x hispanica) trees casting deep shade over much of the area. The grass is managed as short turf, with a few common wild flowers. A hedge of native species has been planted around the shed. A statue of Sarah Siddons facing the motorway is an important cultural feature. Birds nesting in and around these open spaces include blue tit, starling, blackbird, woodpigeon, chaffinch, dunnock and kestrel.