It’s all here on your doorstep!
This autumn, London Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to get outdoors and Walk the Chalk to enjoy Bromley and Croydon’s amazing chalk landscapes - London’s very own piece of the North Downs - and home to an abundant variety of widlife species.
For a little extra inspiration, the Trust has also launched its film "From Thorn to Orchid", produced and sponsored by Viasat Broadcasting UK, part of the Modern Times Group, celebrating the reason making such an effort to look after them.
Watch "From Thorn to Orchid" to discover the amazing species found on chalk grassland – one of the rarest habitats in London - from pyramidal orchid and kidney vetch to the scarce small blue butterfly.
And find out why conservation volunteering is such a rewarding way to spend your free time.
Where to Walk the Chalk
• Saltbox Hill, a Site of Special Scientific Interest steadily being restored to its former floral glory
• Chapel Bank, a broad valley of chalk woodland and grassland, rich in orchids
• Hutchinson’s Bank, a steep mosaic of grassland and scrub, supporting a flurry of butterflies
• Threecorner Grove, a woodland of tall ash, cherry and lime, shading bluebell and anemone
Petra Sovic Davies from London Wildlife Trust says, ‘We hope as many people as possible will come out and Walk the Chalk to experience the wonders of these amazing free wildlife sites.
Autumn is a brilliant time to see colourful berries including hawthorn, dog rose, blackcurrants and privet or winter migrant birds like fieldfare and redwing - and if you’re lucky you could even spot a hovering kestrel, like I did the other day.
We also hope some people will take their interest a step further and get involved in the practical conservation of these special sites.’
To watch FromThorn to Orchid, find out more about where to Walk the Chalk and for directions to sites click here.
To find out more about volunteering to conserve this precious habitat contact Petra Davies.
