London’s wilderness areas

In the UK’s capital, parks, wetlands and overgrown cemeteries offer habitats for wildlife to prosper, from egrets and warblers to deer, bats, dragonflies and even otters,

2019-03-14 - says Susie Kearley Susie Kearley enjoys wildlife photography and long walks in the countryside.

Seven, London

1 WALTHAMSTOW WETLANDS

This vast wetland landscape in North London attracts herons, pochards, gadwalls, tufted ducks and little egrets. Swifts, kingfishers and peregrine falcons also make a home among the 10 reservoirs. Visit the café and art exhibitions. walthamstowwetlands.com

2 CAMLEY STREET NATURAL PARK

Camley Street’s beautiful one-hectare park near King’s Cross offers a tranquil escape from city life, beside Regent’s Canal. Closed for works, it will reopen this spring with a new visitor centre. Look out for reed warblers, kingfishers and bats. wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/ camley-street-natural-park

3 WOODBERRY WETLANDS

The lakes and waterways of Woodberry Wetlands in N16 provide a home for a diverse variety of wildlife. Make your way along the boardwalks and paths through reedbeds, looking out for kingfishers, reed warblers, bees and dragonflies. woodberrywetlands.org.uk

4 ABNEY PARK CEMETERY

The woodland memorial garden of Abney Park in Stoke Newington attracts breeding, wintering and migratory birds including sparrowhawks, tawny owls, woodpeckers, blackcaps, stock doves, chiffchaffs and goldcrests. Enjoy walks, crafts and a variety of exciting events. abneypark.org

5 RICHMOND PARK

Richmond Park, London’s largest Royal Park, offers diverse habitats, streams, lakes, cosy cafés and regular events. It’s home to over 600 deer, as well as foxes, rabbits, bats and birds. royalparks. org.uk/parks/richmond-park

6 EPPING FOREST

This huge Essex forest, stretching from Manor Park to beyond Epping, includes lakes, ancient woods and grasslands, along with the Epping Forest Visitor Centre, a golf course, pubs and café. Fallow deer, birds and small mammals thrive in this wilderness. visiteppingforest.org

7 LONDON WETLAND CENTRE

Among the reeds and rushes of the London Wetland Centre in Richmond, rare species and migratory birds can be found. See Hawaiian geese, hooded mergansers and European otters, and enjoy a meal at the centre’s courtyard café. wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london/