Ham Lands facts for kids

Ham Riverside Lands

Ham Lands is a wonderful natural area in London. It covers about 72 hectares, which is like 100 football fields! This special place is located in Ham, a part of London that spans two boroughs: Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames.

Ham Lands is officially a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a protected area important for wildlife and nature. It's also known as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. This shows how valuable it is for London's environment. The area has lots of open grassland and scrub, which are like bushy areas. It runs right alongside the famous River Thames. On its other side, you'll find Riverside Drive.

This unique landscape wasn't always here. Years ago, people dug up gravel from this land. After that, they filled it back up with soil from different parts of London. This mix of soils created many different types of places for plants and animals to live. Because of this, Ham Lands is now home to many kinds of birds and butterflies. You can also find beautiful wildflowers in its flood-meadows. Some of these plants are quite rare in London, making Ham Lands even more special!

The Story of Ham Lands

Ham Lands has an interesting past that shaped it into the natural haven it is today. For many years, this land was used for digging up gravel. Gravel is a mix of small stones often used in building. This digging changed the land a lot.

How the Land Was Formed

After the gravel was removed, the big holes left behind needed to be filled. Workers brought in soil from different parts of London to do this. This wasn't just any soil; it was a mix from various places. This created a patchwork of different soil types across Ham Lands. Each type of soil can support different kinds of plants. This is why the area has such a wide variety of habitats. These habitats are perfect homes for many different animals.

A Home for Wildlife

Ham Lands is a fantastic place for many different creatures. The varied habitats, from grasslands to scrub and flood-meadows, attract a wide range of wildlife. It's a great spot for nature lovers and young explorers.

Birds of Ham Lands

Many types of birds visit or live in Ham Lands. The mix of open spaces and bushy areas provides food and shelter. You might spot common birds like robins and blackbirds. But you could also see more unusual visitors. These birds come to feed on insects or seeds found in the different habitats.

Butterflies and Insects

Ham Lands is especially famous for its butterflies. The diverse wildflowers provide nectar for many butterfly species. You can see colorful butterflies fluttering around on sunny days. Besides butterflies, many other insects call Ham Lands home. These insects are an important part of the food chain. They provide food for birds and other animals.

Rare Plants and Flowers

The flood-meadows at Ham Lands are truly special. These meadows are areas that sometimes flood when the River Thames overflows. This flooding brings new nutrients to the soil. It also helps certain types of plants to grow. You can find a wide range of wildflowers here. Some of these flowers are quite rare in London. This makes Ham Lands an important place for plant conservation. For example, you might find beautiful orchids like the Bee orchid or the Pyramidal Orchid.

Exploring Ham Lands

Ham Lands is a great place to visit for a walk or to enjoy nature. It's a large open space where you can feel close to the wild. Remember to stick to the paths to protect the plants and animals.

What to Do There

• Walking: There are many paths to explore. You can enjoy a peaceful walk along the river.
• Nature Spotting: Bring binoculars to look for birds. Keep an eye out for butterflies and interesting plants.
• Photography: The landscapes and wildlife offer great chances for photos.

Protecting the Reserve

Because Ham Lands is a nature reserve, it's important to help protect it.

• Always take your litter home with you.
• Keep dogs on leads in certain areas to protect ground-nesting birds.
• Do not pick flowers or disturb the wildlife.

By following these simple rules, everyone can continue to enjoy this special natural space.

Images for kids

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  Ham Lands South

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  View of Richmond Hill

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  Ham Lands north

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  Bee orchid

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  Pyramidal Orchid