Wimbledon Common and Putney Heath are rich in wildlife, plants and trees. A description of these aspects is to be found in several publications such as " Wimbledon Common and Putney Heath - A Natural History" and the "Ecology Handbook 29" by the London Ecology Unit
The Commons is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an Area of Conservation (SAC) This applies to an area of 900 acres (364ha). An additional area of 240 acres (96 hectares) falls outside the designated site.
There have been sightings of:
Birds are well represented with an average of 99 species observed annually of which 49 species were known to have bred. Since bird records began in 1974 there have been sightings of 122 species. (Link to the RSPB web site).
The Commons are an important site for dragonflies and damselflies. (See also the British Dragonfly Society and the National Dragonfly Museum).
Six main species of bat are to be found: Daubenton's bat, Pipistrelle, Brown Long-eared bat, Serotine and Noctule bat. Bat walks on Wimbledon Common are led the London Bat Group. There is also a possible recording of a seventh species, the Whiskered Bat.
Guided walks on Wimbledon & Putney Commons are held under the auspices of the London Wildlife Trust, the Wandsworth Nature Study Centre and by David Haldane on behalf of the Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators.
The Windmill Nature Trail, near The Windmill is best visited during the period March to October.
If you have any observations of animals, birds, insects, plants or trees on Wimbledon Common and/or Putney Lower Common which you would like us to know about, please contact us