Several pairs of the iconic ground-nesting Skylark breed on Wanstead Flats. These birds represent the closest population of breeding larks to the centre of London but for how much longer? Nationally, the population of Skylarks has been in decline for decades so the Wren Group – in conjunction with the City of London Corporation – is determined to do all it can to protect their numbers locally. In 2021, and each year since, temporary fencing has been erected around two areas of the Flats. Between March and early September, this has meant that the birds – whose eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to disturbance – were protected from heavy human and canine footfall during the nesting season. This protection paid off handsomely last year with at least four young raised – the best breeding success for quite a few years.
We hope the larks repeat that success this year, and that we will begin to see the recolonisation of more areas of the Flats. In order to reduce the use of single-use plastic fencing, the City of London Corporation is this year experimenting with blue rope to demarcate the two areas people are politely being asked to keep out of. Please respect this fencing, the future of our larks may depend on it. If you see the rope being vandalised, please report to the police 101.
Missed the Wren AGM ?
A fasinating talk by Ben Murphy, Chair of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, telling us about new developments in the management of the Forest is available here:
Join Steve from the Big City Butterflies project to learn how to identify common butterflies found in London and how to record them on this workshop at Wanstead Park. The workshop consists of a 1 hour presentation followed by a guided walk and is provided in partnership with Friends of Wanstead Park.
The workshop is being held at The Temple in Wanstead Park, location is shown below. Teas and coffees will be provided.
Parking- you will need to pay to park at the entrance to the park or roadside Warren Road or Northumberland Avenue. Please check local restrictions/signage. There is blue badge parking available to the side of the Temple.
London is home to a surprising diversity of butterflies and moths. Over twenty-five of the UK’s 59 butterfly species can be spotted in the capital. Big City Butterflies is an exciting project which will inspire Londoners to discover butterflies and moths, and connect them with nature and their local green spaces.