Wilderness Island Explained

Wilderness Island is the 2.7 hectare island between the Wandle and Wrythe in Carshalton in the London Borough of Sutton. It is designated a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, is owned by Sutton Council and is managed by the London Wildlife Trust.

Features

A fish pond still remains from a former public garden on the site.[1] Other habitats are woodland, meadows and river. Trees include a black poplar, and there are birds such as the woodpecker, kingfisher and grebe. Butterflies/moths include the speckled wood, holly blue, and the rare hornet clearwing moth. The ponds are an important habitat which have a variety of wetland plants.[2] [3]

History

The island from the seventeenth century was the site of copper mills. It was later the site of a pleasure garden.

References

51.3736°N -0.1578°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilderness Island . 28 March 2014 . London Parks and Gardens Trust.
  2. Web site: 8 March 2013 . Wilderness Island . 28 March 2014 . Local Nature Reserves . Natural England.
  3. Web site: Wilderness Island. London Wildlife Trust. 28 March 2014.