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Wildlife in Greenwich

 
Water vole, stag beetle and black redstart
Greenwich is home to a number of rare plants and animals, for example:

  • Stag beetles - Britain’s largest beetle with large jaws and ‘antlers’
  • Water voles - small furry mammals that can be found in Thamesmead
  • Bats live in Abbey Wood
  • Dragonflies appear in the Peninsula Ecology Park in early summer.
  • Palmate newts and the great crested newts are particularly rare aquatic species that are found in Greenwich 
These and many others species depend on the protection of their varied natural habitats for survival.  

What is biodiversity?

This variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms is called biodiversity. We rely upon these not only to provide us with food and medicines, but also to maintain our atmosphere and our environment.

While Greenwich continues to be regenerated we need to ensure that important habitats are protected.

It is important to conserve and enhance the borough’s wildlife and natural places so that future generations can benefit from and enjoy them.

Biodiversity: what you can do to help

Where wildlife can be found

Many sites within Greenwich have been recognised as being important for nature conservation. Examples of these sites are set out below.

Shooters Hill

The Shooters Hill Woodlands contains thousands of species of plants and animals that have lived in Greenwich since the last ice age.

For information on woodlands in Greenwich visit the webpage on Oxleas Woods, Castle Wood and Jack Wood.

River Quaggy

The Thames and its tributaries are rich in species of London wide importance. A tributary of the Thames is the river Quaggy which runs through Greenwich.  As part of the Quaggy Flood Alleviation Plan, Sutcliffe Park now has its own wetland site - home to a variety of wildlife and plants.

Blackheath

The Royal Blackheath Golf Course is home to one of London’s largest populations of great crested newts.

What's in your garden?

Its not just parks and nature reserves that are important for biodiversity, private gardens are important for wildlife too. Did you know that a fifth of the area of London is in private gardens? These gardens form a patchwork of different habitats for wildlife.

Greenwich Wildlife Advisory Group

Are you interested in maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity of Greenwich. Why not join the Greenwich Wildlife Advisory Group.

For further information on wildlife visit 
The London Biodiversity Plan and The London Wildweb websites.

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