GREATER LONDON
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 2 MIN TIME : 2 HOURS
Explore one of the capital’s oldest reserves
This site is the London Wildlife Trust’s oldest nature reserve and is part of the last remnant of the ancient North Wood that, once upon a time, stretched from Croydon to the Thames. This remaining mix of new and ancient woodland in Dulwich is an unusual site because it also contains the remains of Victorian gardens and a former railway tunnel that once took Victorians to visit the Crystal Palace. Today, the tunnel is a registered bat roost, and the woodlands that have been saved from development are now home to a good mix of birds, from Tawny Owls to the occasional Hawfinch. Parts of the woodland are also now protected from visitor erosion by the erection of dead hedges lining the pathways.
WHERE TO WATCH
1From the top gate, make your way down the steps into the dense woodland mix of Silver Birches, Sycamore, Oaks and Cedar of Lebanon that are now home to breeding woodpeckers, Hobby, Nuthatch, Firecrest, Ravens and Ring-necked Parakeets. Large groups of Woodpigeon can also be found in this section of the wood, particularly near the entrance to the tunnel.
2 Moving to the centre of the site, you will find a couple of ponds. At this spot, as well as ducks and geese, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tits can be found in the shrubs dotted around the open spaces here. Once again, you are more than likely to be treated to a flash of green from a passing Ring-necked Parakeet.
3 The area around Cox’s Walk and the golf course is renowned for Little Owl and Green Woodpecker sightings. Work is currently ongoing
