Follow our enticing nature trail between two babbling arms of the River Wandle through fruit trees and crack willow to a vibrant meadow.
The reserve
A fascinating variety of habitats can be seen in this site, ranging from ponds and wetlands, to woods and wildflower meadows. The woodlands provide a valuable habitat for many species of birds and invertebrates. You can see all three species of woodpecker but only great spotted breeds regularly. In summer, you may hear warblers such as blackcap and chiffchaff singing and they often stay to breed. A black poplar tree grows here, which supports a rare moth, the hornet clearwing. Several species of butterfly can be seen, including speckled wood, holly blue and comma. The ponds are an important feature of the island and they have been colonised by a wide variety of wetland plants, including water plantain, yellow flag, reedmace and water crowfoot. Frogs use the ponds to lay their spawn and dragonflies and damselflies often hunt here in summer. The river supports good numbers of waterway birds for an urban river, particularly moorhens. You may see little grebes hiding close to the bank while you may see grey wagtails near the weir where they have bred. If you are very lucky you may see the blue flash of a kingfisher flying past. The meadows are rich in both invertebrate and meadow flower species. Here, you can see the small lilac flowers of vervain, a rare species to find in London. If you look closely you may see the brightly coloured small copper butterfly among the more plentiful skippers and meadow brown. You may also hear the crackle of Roesel’s bush cricket, which has been likened to an electrical discharge.
Habitats you'll see
Woodland, river, pond and meadow
Species you might spot
Woodpeckers, kingfishers and grebes; black poplar; hornet clearwing moth, speckled wood, holly blue and comma butterflies; water plantain, yellow flag, reedmace and water crowfoot; Roesel’s bush cricket
What’s in my backyard?
Find out what species have been spotted on this reserve with the fantastic WIMBY tool, run by GiGL – Greenspace Information for Greater London.
Visit us
The entrance is at junction of Mill Lane/River Gardens and Stawberry Lane in Carshalton
Unstaffed
Open at all times
Map
Get involved
Search for events happening at this site – click here
Search for volunteering sessions at this site – click here
Site status
Site of Metropolitan Importance; Local Nature Reserve
Further site information can be found on:
