Natural England

The Wash, home to waterbirds such as redshank, oystercatcher and avocet, is back in good condition for the first time in a decade. But Londoners do not have to travel all the way to Lincolnshire to enjoy superb wetland scenery and wildlife.

Wetlands such as Barn Elms (known more widely as the London Wetland Centre), Brent Reservoir (also known as Welsh Harp), Walthamstow Marshes and the Inner Thames Marshes (also known as Rainham Marshes) are right on our doorstep.

World Wetland Day 2008, (Saturday 2 February) gives London residents the ideal opportunity to visit some of the most accessible wildlife sites around the capital.

Natural England, is keen to encourage more people to get out and enjoy our natural greenspaces Jane Cecil, Natural England’s acting regional director for London said: “Our local wetlands are fabulous places to see wildlife right here in the capital city – wetlands provide much needed feeding and resting places for wintering birds such as wigeon, teal, gadwall and shoveler, they provide a natural defence against flooding, and a refuge for people away from the hustle of the city.”

Notes to Editors:

For further information interviews or images contact: Nigel Ellway, London Press Office on 020 7932 2244, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07900 608204.

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings www.naturalengland.org.uk

Inner Thames Marshes (also known as Rainham Marshes)
Access - Majority of the site owned by the RSPB so very good public access (decent paths, interpretation boards etc).
Habitat – Largest remaining expanse of wetland bordering the upper reaches of the Thames Estuary. Grazing marsh with ditch systems. Good variety of breeding and wintering birds, also important for invertebrates and water voles.
Web: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/rainhammarshes/index.asp

Walthamstow Marshes
Access – Part of the Lee Valley so good public access.
Habitat – One of the last remaining examples of semi-natural wetland in Greater London. Neutral grassland, sedge marsh, reed swamp etc. Number of rare/interesting plant species at the site and good for invertebrates. Site is grazed with rare breed cattle
http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/

Brent Reservoir (also known as Welsh Harp)
Access – majority owned by Brent and Barnet councils so open to the public.
Habitat – Reservoir with lowland fen and damp woodland.
You can stand at one end of the reservoir watching birds with views of Wembley Stadium in the background – an iconic London image!
Web: http://www.brentres.com/

Barn Elms (known more widely as the London Wetland Centre)
Access – owned by WWT so good access (decent paths, good interpretation etc) But there is an entry fee (prices on website).
Habitat – The best variety of wetland habitats in one place because of habitat creation and management. Good examples of open water, grazing marsh, reedbed etc. Great for breeding and wintering birds, also important for reptiles and amphibians and water voles.
Web: http://www.wwt.org.uk/centre/119/london_wetland_centre.html