Westbere Copse facts for kids
Westbere Copse is a special natural area in West Hampstead, London. It's an 8-hectare (about 20-acre) Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a protected place for nature close to where people live. It's also a very important spot for nature in the borough of Camden.
Exploring Westbere Copse
This nature reserve is located right next to the railway line. You can find it at the corner of Westbere Road and Minster Road. The land belongs to Network Rail, which manages train lines. However, they let Camden Council use it as a nature reserve.
The reserve includes Westbere Copse itself. It also has parts of the land next to the railway. There's even an old fruit orchard called Medley Gardens. You can't go onto the railway land or into the orchard. These areas are kept wild for animals and plants.
Westbere Copse has two main parts. The northern half is open to everyone. You can visit it any time. The southern half is called Jenny Wood Nature Reserve. It's named after Jenny, who helped start this special place. This part is only open on weekends.
Plants and Animals You Might See
Westbere Copse is mainly a woodland area. The most common trees you'll find here are sycamore, oak, aspen, and ash. Below these tall trees, you'll see smaller plants. These include snowberry, elder, elm, blackthorn, and hawthorn.
On the ground, you'll find plants that like shady spots. These include cow parsley, nettles, and ivy. Many different types of life thrive here. People have recorded 25 different kinds of birds. They have also found 150 different plant species. The reserve is also home to frogs, toads, and newts.
Protecting the Reserve
The Westbere Copse Association helps take care of this special place. They do important conservation work. This helps keep the woodland healthy for all the plants and animals that live there. It also makes sure people can enjoy this green space.
