Beddington Farmlands: A premier urban nature
reserve for the Wandle Valley Regional Park
Beddington Farmlands is a 161 hectare (400 acre) site in the coreland of the wider Wandle Valley Regional Park. Together with the adjacent green spaces of Beddington Park and Mitcham Common, Beddington Farmlands forms one of the largest contiguous green spaces in south London.
Beddington Farmlands is an important area for wildlife and is classified a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and Metropolitan Open Land (equivalent of Green Belt within an urban area). The site is being restored into a mosaic of important habitats for wildlife ahead of the development of a flagship nature reserve for people and nature.
“The ‘sleeping giant’ of London’s natural history world”
David Lindo, BBC broadcaster, writer and public speaker
Beddington Farm Bird Group
Beddington Farm Bird Group
Formed in 1992, the Beddington Farm Bird Group monitors breeding and wintering bird populations as well as migration at Beddington Farmlands. In addition, the bird group also carries out habitat management and restoration, working closely with site management. Key-holder membership includes site access, member-only events, and an annual wildlife report. More »
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insidecroydon.com/2020/06/01/viridor-breaking-rules-over-incinerators-pollution-reports/
Viridor breaking rules over incinerator’s pollution reports
insidecroydon.com
Our environment correspondent, PAUL LUSHION, on how 12 months after a major fire at the Beddington Lane plant its polluting operators continue to be given a free pass by the Environment Agency and ...Hi everyone :) I'm one of the Councillors for Wandle Valley & Hackbridge, and am on the Conservation and Access Management Committee which oversees the restoration of Beddington Farmlands.
There have been some good signs of progress from Viridor over the last two years, but I also have some frustrations and concerns.
You can read my reflections here:
The restoration of Beddington Farmlands
www.suttonlibdems.org.uk
The restoration of Beddington FarmlandsBeddington Farmlands featured on BBC 2 live now
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01k784h?fbclid=IwAR32Zw60U5ED-Y6KmhAnOqx84EYmNIDi6oYMtUxohYLfnYjZxQ9Ieb...
BBC Two - Natural World, 2011-2012, The Unnatural History of London
www.bbc.co.uk
A look at London's wildlife, from badgers and foxes to seals and parakeets.The Beddington Farmlands Bird List Update here:
An incredible 261 species have been recorded.
bfnr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/beddington_farmlands_systematic_bird_list_update_2019.pdf
enjoyed my first proper walk in here earlier. Hopefully when lockdown eases someone could pop in a sign at the little junctions as I got a bit lost trying to pop out at Mitcham Junction! Then walked home following the Wandle. Lovely.
Today is the Ebird Global Big Day. If visiting the farmlands today please send what you see to the Beddington Farmlands hotspot: ebird.org/hotspot/L933099
The rare and beautiful Black-necked Grebe visited Beddington Farmlands yesterday- only the 12th record for the site.
The Beddington Farmlands permissive path is still open to the local public during lockdown. Please practise social distancing.
Spotted in the last week.
Black caps
Reed warblers
Sedge warblers
Cetti’s warbler
Willow warblers
Chiff chaffs
A pair of twites
A pair of kestrels
Great spotted woodpecker
A pair of nuthatches.
I’m not really into the water fowl so I’m sorry for not putting these up.
Hope it’s ok to share this.
If anyone’s seen any other interesting birds
I’d love to know. 😊
For local residents. Here's a few of the most likely butterflies you will see in your garden over this Easter holiday
Pics 1-10 1) Small Tortoiseshell 2) Peacock, 3) Brimstone, 4) Orange-tip, 5) Orange-tip female (looks like a White so you need to check the underwing for this distinctive pattern) 6) Green-veined White (again check the underwing of the 'Whites' 7) Small White (plain yellow underwing with dark spot) 8) Holly Blue 9) Speckled Wood, 10) Comma
April 1st story but why not?
insidecroydon.com/2020/04/01/beavers-on-the-wandle-newman-dives-in-for-greener-croydon/amp/?__twi...
Beavers on the Wandle: Newman dives in for greener Croydon
insidecroydon.com
EXCLUSIVE: Operation Flair Pool could see the introduction of a shy and industrious mammal to Wandle Park as soon as this autumn, in what the council leader has described as ‘an exciting high...BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS ACCESS UPDATE
Following the new government guidelines, the public hides are now closed but the permissive path remains open for one daily exercise
Beddington Farmlands reserve warden job opportunity
www.conservation-careers.com/job/sutton-carshalton-uk-1679-reserve-warden/
Reserve Warden Jobs - Conservation Careers
www.conservation-careers.com
About the role Are you passionate about nature conservation? Do you have excellent habitat and species knowledge, particularly for wetland birds? Are you able to help shape and manage nearly 100 Ha of...ACCESS TO BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS
Government guidance (at this time) advocates members of the community enjoying the fresh air as long as they remain at least 2m apart.
The permissive footpath & bird hides will remain open, however we would encourage members of the community to remain 2m apart and do not touch any surfaces of the hides. (If surfaces are touched please wash hands when you get home/as soon as possible)
More social distancing details here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-peop...
Thank You
TEN LOCALLY COMMON GARDEN BIRDS
If you find yourself spending more time at home over the next few weeks here are ten common garden birds that can be found in our local area to look out for.
Please share your photos with this page on any birds you don't recognise or any great photos you get- please private message to admin or share in the comments box and we can share a selection of them.
Images below: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Robin, Common Buzzard (look up for this one, flying over at height- now a regular sight in the local area) , Blackbird, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail and Long-tailed Tit
An extremely rare arrival today of two Twite at the Farmlands. A bird of upland regions.
Only the third time this species has been seen at the farmlands and the last time two were seen in the county was 1986.
The Beddington Farmlands 2018 Bird and Wildlife Report is now available.
For online version see project log : www.researchgate.net/project/Beddington-Farmlands-Nature-Reserve
If you would like to order a hard copy please email littleoakgroup@btinternet.com
Link to new MP speaking in House of Commons about the Beddington incinerator here : m.youtube.com/watch?v=zjyY0CpBcio
The Liberal Democrat post below appears not entirely complete- the new MP also wants to tackle congestion and air pollution and in air pollution that includes the 275 000 tonnes of co2 being emitted and the necessary carbon accounting and mitigation that requires. It’s good to hear the restoration of Beddington farmlands as a top priority. Agree we need accountability and mitigation for air pollution and congestion, negative impacts on the developing regional park and ecological impacts and need to see the incinerator as the next step in the journey to the circular and sustainable economy in Sutton.The new Tory MP in Carshalton and Wallington agreed that the ERF was a better solution to landfill, seemed impressed by the facility & professionalism of the staff working on site. He clarified that he would not campaign to decommission the ERF as this is the best solution we currently have to deal with our waste.
My observations on the presentation and the ERF visit that I organised with him: here: bit.ly/2up4Z6K
Councillor Manuel Abellan, , Chair of Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee
Rare Bird Alert! Not exactly Beddington Farmlands, just five minutes away along the Wandle Trail at Poulter's Park. A Yellow-browed Warbler from Siberia has been found in the company of 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs, 10 Common Chiffchaffs with a female Firecrest nearby.
Only the second record of Yellow-browed Warbler for the local area and the first time in winter.
More on the blog: peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/02/south-london-sibe-hotspot.html
If birding along the permissive footpath and new public hides you can also tweet what you see. Please tag twitter.com/BeddingtonFarm
Beddington Farmlands (@BeddingtonFarm) | Twitter
twitter.com
The latest Tweets from Beddington Farmlands (@BeddingtonFarm). Campaign for a premier urban nature reserve in the Wandle Valley Regional Park, London. Bird sightings @bfbginfo. Londonbfnr.org.uk/
Website updated. The reserve should be fully complete and open to the public by the end of 2023 marking the end of a development that started in 1995- nearly 30 years in the making!
For more detailed information see the website and please invite your friends to this facebook page to follow the unfolding final stages and grand opening.
Beddington Farmlands | London's next major nature reserve
bfnr.org.uk
Home Beddington Farmlands: A premier urban nature reserve for the Wandle Valley Regional Park Beddington Farmlands is a 161 hectare (400 acre) site in the coreland of the wider Wandle Valley Regional ...The Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve is effectively being sold as parent company Pennon are putting Viridor up for sale for £4 billion. Share price of Viridor has soared by 46% in last twelve months- a 10 year high.
Considering billions of pounds (contract value of the Beddington incinerator alone is £1 billion) are being made at Beddington Farmlands there really shouldn't be any corner cutting in costs to create a premier urban nature reserve for the London Borough of Sutton.
Sutton Council Extinction Rebellion Sutton
Following public feed back, the public bird hides on the permissive footpath have now been retro-fitted to provide viewing at various heights to allow views of the wildlife (and the incinerator) for everybody
Many thanks to our friends for their support of Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve
