Ingrebourne Marshes facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Berwick Pond
|
|
| Area of Search | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 74.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Ingrebourne Marshes is a special place in Hornchurch, London. It's a huge area of wetlands, about 74.8 hectares big. This means it's protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing nature. A small part of it is also a Local Nature Reserve. The Essex Wildlife Trust helps look after this important area.
Contents
What Are the Ingrebourne Marshes?
The Ingrebourne Marshes stretch along both sides of the River Ingrebourne. The northern part is next to Hornchurch Country Park. From there, the marshes reach south towards Rainham.
Public Access and Views
Most of the marshes are closed to the public. This helps protect the delicate wildlife. However, you can still see some parts of this beautiful area from Hornchurch Country Park. There is also a long, narrow section that is open to visitors. This part goes east from the river to Berwick Pond Road. It includes Berwick Pond, which is a reservoir used for fishing.
Why Are the Marshes Special?
The Ingrebourne Marshes are the largest area of freshwater marsh in Greater London. This makes them very important for nature. They have many different types of habitats, like areas with tall reeds and wet grasslands. These different areas are home to a huge variety of plants and animals.
Amazing Wildlife
The marshes are a fantastic home for many small creatures. These include different kinds of flies, beetles, dragonflies, and crickets. Some of these insects are quite rare in the UK.
There are also two very rare species found here. One is a type of hoverfly called Anasimyia interpuncta. The other is the scarce emerald damselfly, Lestes dryas. These are so rare that they are listed in the Red Data Book. This book highlights species that need special protection.
Birds of the Marshes
The Ingrebourne Marshes are a birdwatcher's paradise! About 61 different kinds of birds regularly breed here. You might spot birds like the common redshank and the northern lapwing.
Interestingly, common cuckoos also visit the marshes. They are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. Here, they often use the nests of reed warblers and sedge warblers.
Protecting the Marshes
To help protect this important wetland, Havering Council has taken action. They have raised the water level in some areas. They have also brought back grazing animals. These steps help keep the wetland healthy and safe for all the plants and animals that live there.
How to Visit
You can get to the Ingrebourne Marshes from Hornchurch Country Park. Another way to access the open part of the site is from Berwick Pond Road.
