Rivers and Streams

Along with the Thames, the London Wildlife Trust has reserves on the River Crane, the River Colne and the River Wandle.

What are rivers and streams?
London’s natural history is tied to its most valuable and best-known asset, the River Thames. One of the cleanest metropolitan waterways in the world, the river continues to surprise with over 120 species of fish and visits from common seal as far up river as Richmond. Running into the Thames, London’s rivers and streams provide secretive green corridors within the urban environment connecting plant and animal communities throughout the capital.

Whose habitat is it?
The River Colne ripples with rich aquatic life - banded demoiselle damselflies and the brilliant blue flash of the kingfisher in flight can sometimes be seen. Our Isleworth Ait reserve in the Thames is home to treecreepers, kingfishers and herons, plus rare beetles and the two-lipped door and German hairy snails. The Crane provides habitat for water voles, kingfishers, dragonflies and damselflies among others.

Conservation issues
Some stretches of the River Crane and Yeading Brook are cared for and appreciated by local communities, and teem with colourful dragonflies and plants such as the vibrant purple loosestrife. But while kingfishers make the most of this rich habitat, much of the river can’t be seen, let alone appreciated by people. And many of its bordering green places are strewn with rubbish, marred by graffiti and unwelcoming. In 2007 the Crane Valley Project (set up by a partnership of London Wildlife Trust, London boroughs, public, voluntary and private stakeholders) received initial funding from Heritage Lottery Fund to plan a strategy for enhancing the quality of the fantastic green places that border the river and improving the links between them. We want to raise funds to enable a three year programme of conservation and community activity, concentrating on target areas along the river.

Where can I see this habitat?
Crane Park Island, Isleworth Ait, Uxbridge Moor, and Wilderness Island