The Ingrebourne Marshes are a hidden gem, nestled in the heart of London. You may think it strange to find such a vast expanse of freshwater marsh right here in the capital. But this 74.8 hectare site, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, boasts something truly special. It’s the largest area of freshwater marsh in Greater London.
Ingrebourne Marshes are a haven for wildlife with large areas of reed sweet-grass, common reed swamp, wet neutral grassland, and tall fen. The varied habitats support a wealth of invertebrate life, with sixteen nationally scarce fly, beetle, dragonfly, and cricket species. There are even two nationally rare Red Data Book species: The hoverfly Anasimyia interpuncta and the scarce emerald damselfly Lestes dryas.
And that’s not all. Ingrebourne Marshes are home to a remarkable 61 species of bird that regularly breed on the site, such as the common redshank and the northern lapwing. Even common cuckoos have learned to take advantage of the abundance of reed warblers and sedge warblers, exploiting their nests for their own chicks. But don’t worry, the marshes are being well looked after. Havering Council has worked hard to protect the wetland by raising the water level and reintroducing grazing.
The Ingrebourne Marshes, a testament to the hidden wonders of nature right in the heart of London, are a must-see for any nature enthusiast.