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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FOR CITIZEN SCIENTISTS OUT THERE:
To see a list of all the bird species recorded at Beddington Farmlands this year (121 so far) click on the Ebird link here:
ebird.org/barchart?byr=2020&eyr=2020&bmo=1&emo=12&r=L933099
You can explore the data by clicking on the graph icon (looks like a lightning strike) and you can also add data (your sightings) by downloading the ebird app or uploading your sightings onto the Beddington Farmlands hotspot here:
ebird.org/hotspot/L933099
*IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*
VIRIDOR ARE ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK FULL PUBLIC ACCESS TO THIS VIEW POINT (image below)
This view is one of the main Wandle Vistas wandlevalleypark.co.uk/projects/wandle-vistas/, the most stunning features of the Wandle Valley Regional Park and Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve. Currently within existing planning conditions a Sustrans path (for cycling and walking) is required to be created to this viewpoint. Viridor have recently submitted a planning application to clear that planning condition (to repeat they have applied for permission to no longer provide adequate public access to this viewpoint) . More information (including summary and also full planning application here : hackbridgendg.com/2020/06/25/viridor-submits-changes-in-materials-of-approved-path-for-beddington...).
Please sign and share the petition to stop Viridor's latest attempt at damaging our nature reserve and to make sure that they provide adequate public access to this viewpoint.
www.suttoninsight.com/?fbclid=IwAR1HKDSu8PUL5uIqtttwkb5BjQfQQ9VyaVFZaQE7NGab1C2h_SlGLVlgSBA
Had a lovely walk to the farmlands from Mitcham Junction and had a first sighting for me. A cinnabar moth, so that was very nice to see. 🙂
hackbridgendg.com/2020/06/25/viridor-submits-changes-in-materials-of-approved-path-for-beddington...
Viridor submits changes in materials of approved path for Beddington Farmlands
hackbridgendg.com
The NDG were invited at the beginning of the year to sit on the Conservation and Access Management Committee (CAMC). Due to the Coronavirus, the first meeting we were suppose to attend in March, in...Just at Beddington Farmlands now. Not sure if this the same graffiti people were talking about or a new addition. Either way, bloody terrible. So far its in two of the hides I've been into 🙁
www.elliotcolburn.co.uk/news/raising-concerns-about-beddington-farmlands
Raising concerns about the Beddington Farmlands
www.elliotcolburn.co.uk
Many Beddington and Hackbridge residents have reached out to me following very worrying reports about problems at Beddington FarmlandsI wrote up my thoughts following the "Conservation and Access Management Committee" last Thursday, which meets to oversee the restoration of Beddington Farmlands.
Overall, I don't feel residents' concerns were thoroughly addressed, though I did appreciate certain assurances about a few topics. They agreed to meet again next month, when I hope we will get some better answers.
The CAMC just ended. To be honest it was a bit underwhelming, but I'm glad they agreed to hold a follow up meeting in July when we can hopefully get more answers.
I'll post a summary of what I thought came from the meeting in the coming days.
insidecroydon.com/2020/06/17/mp-challenges-viridor-over-its-management-of-wildlife-reserve/
MP challenges Viridor over its management of wildlife reserve
insidecroydon.com
A Member of Parliament has intervened over the serious damage to the wildlife habitat and the destruction of one of London’s largest nesting colonies of house sparrows, following reports of t...Article about our Tree Sparrows which unfortunately look like they have become extinct this year with no birds reported all summer - the first time in history that this species has not bred on site www.birdguides.com/articles/failed-habitat-management-behind-loss-of-famous-tree-sparrow-colony/
Failed habitat management behind loss of famous Tree Sparrow colony
www.birdguides.com
The declining species is all but gone from Beddington Farmlands, which used to hold south-east England's largest population.The Conservation and Access Management Committee is meeting remotely on Thursday: our first meeting in six months.
I have loads of concerns about the restoration process at the moment, as I know many residents do. Thanks to Peter Alfrey and others who have already sent me questions and points they would like to see raised on Thursday.
I'm keen to represent your concerns in the short time I can in this meeting, so please comment with anything you would like me to raise. The main subjects I would like urgent clarity on are:
- The illegal development being undertaken at Oak Copse.
- How we can protect lapwing and other important species, including with management of water-levels and fencing which will keep focuses out.
- How we can assess the pros and cons of the proposed changes to the cycle path which Viridor are asking for planning permission for.
- How we can ensure that an acid grassland is still feasible, as Viridor had promised it would be. If, as is looking more and more likely, that it will not be feasible, how can we ensure an equally valuable alternative to something with such a high ecological value?
- How can we ensure that the permissive path is kept much clearer of litter? It has been a mess recently.
I will provide an update on how the meeting goes afterwards, with the answers which Viridor have provided on these subjects and others.
Hi Everyone. I am planning to visit on Monday to Photograph some birds. Please can anyone advise the best place to park my car, I don't mind paying to park, and the best access point to be able to use the hides for the north and the south lakes. Thanks in advance for your help..
Wandle Valley Forum Bulletin here including updates on Beddington Farmlands Restoration :
mailchi.mp/28b9118b3810/wandle-valley-forum-bulletin-1914061?e=a7b6c1a51d
Unfortunately very sad news about problems that have occurred during lockdown over Beddington Farmlands.
Firstly, due to the low water levels foxes have breached the predator proof islands on the lakes and last Friday night destroyed the nests of Lapwings and Little Ringed Plovers (birds which are in the categories of the rarest breeding birds in the country). Elsewhere on the farmlands the lack of advised management has also resulted in Lapwing nests being threatened. (image 1 in comments)
Secondly, rogue developers have used lockdown to commence development on an area of oak woodland that was illegal felled several years ago (over 20 trees with tree preservation orders were illegal felled with the landowner denying responsibility and subsequently failing to respond to a compulsory tree replacement order). This area is part of the Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and Metropolitan Open Land (The equivalent of Green Belt) so this land is fully protected from development. Over lockdown the area has now been covered in hard core with porta-cabins erected and excavators on site and what looks like an attempt to develop the site and then either apply for retrospective planning permission or to apply for planning permission now that the wildlife habitat is completely destroyed and covered in several meter thick hardcore. (image 2 in comments )
More on this from Inside Croydon here: insidecroydon.com/2020/06/07/plea-to-council-for-action-as-birds-slaughtered-at-nature-reserve/
Plea to council for action as birds slaughtered at nature reserve
insidecroydon.com
Viridor, the operators of the polluting waste incinerator at Beddington Lane, have been accused of allowing an environmental slaughter in the neighbouring wetland nature reserve which they are supp...The public hides are now officially open. For directions to the permissive path see here:
bfnr.org.uk/directions/
Please maintain social distancing and use hand sanitiser if you touch surfaces
Directions | Beddington Farmlands
bfnr.org.uk
Directions Directions A permitted footpath runs south from Mitcham Common along the western edge Beddington Farmlands to Beddington Park to the South, and allows restricted viewing over the North Lake...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. 😊
Many thanks to our friends for their support of Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve
