Tag: London Wildlife
-
London’s Varied Wildlife
London’s wildlife is a reminder that even in one of the world’s most densely populated cities, nature has a way of carving out its own space. From the mischievous foxes that saunter through suburban gardens to the parakeets that screech across parks like they’ve missed the last Tube, London is a city where urban life…
-
London’s Seals: Where to Spot Them
There is something faintly disobedient about seeing a seal in London. A seal belongs, surely, to postcard coasts and salt-bitten harbours, to places where people own binoculars on purpose. Not here. Not in a city of Uber Boats, glass towers and wet paving slabs. And yet the Thames, with its long memory and murky glamour,…
-
The Foxes of London
Everything you need to know about London’s foxes..
-
Are Beavers Coming to Croydon?
Croydon is considering bringing beavers back to South Norwood Country Park, in what would be one of the most significant urban rewilding projects in the capital. The proposal follows the success of the beaver enclosure at Paradise Fields in Ealing, established by Citizen Zoo, where the animals have already begun reshaping wetland habitat within a carefully managed site. If…
-
The False Wolf Spider: London’s Most Misunderstood Flatmate
London is a city that prides itself on tolerance. We welcome foxes into Zone 2 gardens, parakeets onto suburban bird feeders, and the occasional American tourist into Pret. Yet one recent arrival continues to cause disproportionate alarm: the False Wolf Spider, Zoropsis spinimana. A spider so large, so leggy, and so committed to appearing uninvited that…
-
The Beavers that Live in London
Did you know that there are now beavers living in London? Actual, whiskered, paddle-tailed engineers reshaping a patch of west London marsh with the quiet focus of creatures who do not attend planning meetings. They live at Paradise Fields, a modest wedge of wetland in Ealing / Greenford not far from the Central line. You could leave…
-
The Deer Return to Greenwich Park After Four Years Away
For four long years, the deer were gone — as if spirited away by time itself. The Wilderness enclosure in Greenwich Park, once home to red and fallow deer for over five centuries, sat eerily still. Occasionally, a child would press their nose against the railings, peering in at the empty woods beyond, asking, “Where…
-
Shells in the City: The Curious Case of Regent’s Canal’s Terrapins
If you’ve ever ambled along Regent’s Canal on a rare sunny afternoon—perhaps dodging cyclists, lapping up overpriced coffee, or pretending not to eavesdrop on couples arguing outside houseboats—you might have spotted something decidedly unexpected: a terrapin, sunbathing like it owns the canal. Yes, really. Terrapins. In London. Not in a zoo or aquarium, but living…
-
London’s Squirrels: The Fluffy-Tailed Tyrants of the Capital
In a city where foxes dine on discarded kebabs and pigeons strut like minor celebrities, one creature reigns supreme in the public parks and private gardens of London: the squirrel. Specifically, the grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, a bushy-tailed interloper from across the Atlantic who has become, for better or worse, the furry face of urban wildlife…
-
Chuny the Elephant: A Tragic Tale
In the early 19th century, London was a city captivated by exotic animals. Zoos, travelling menageries, and exotic creatures in private collections fascinated the public, offering rare glimpses of wildlife from far-flung corners of the world. Among these animals was Chuny, an Indian elephant who became one of London’s most tragic and infamous animal residents. His…
-
The Deer of Richmond Park
Richmond Park is one of London’s most treasured green spaces, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Spanning over 2,500 acres, this expansive park is home to a remarkable population of wild deer, adding to its charm and making it a destination for nature lovers, tourists, and Londoners alike. In this article,…
-
The Exotic Animals of Georgian London
Roaring Lions, Royal Zebras, and Camels In the 18th century, Londoners didn’t need David Attenborough documentaries to experience the wonders of the animal kingdom. They had something much more immediate—and, often, much louder: live exotic animals, scattered across the city in royal residences, menageries, and inns. From roaring lions on the Strand to zebras grazing…
-
Hyde Park: London’s Green Heart
Nestled in the heart of London, Hyde Park isn’t just a vast green space—it’s a living testament to centuries of history, culture, and the oddity of British life. Spanning an impressive 350 acres, it’s not merely a park but a sprawling patchwork of stories, from royal pursuits to public protests, and it’s home to a…
-
Willy the Thames Whale
The Day London Fell in Love with a Lost Visitor On Friday, 20 January 2006, Londoners were treated to one of the most extraordinary sights in the city’s recent history: a Northern bottlenose whale swimming gracefully along the River Thames. This unexpected visitor, affectionately nicknamed “Willy” by locals, captured the hearts of millions, transforming an ordinary January…
-
The Parakeets of London
In the lush parks of London, a cacophony of squawks punctuates the air. No, it’s not an exotic bird exhibit—it’s the city’s famous green parakeets, whose presence has been the subject of wild speculation, ecological debates, and sheer delight for decades. These feisty feathered friends have become as much a part of London’s urban landscape…
-
The Sharks of the Regent’s Canal
in a city as eclectic as London, where the unexpected often meets the everyday, five sharks are now inhabitants of Regent’s Canal.
-
London’s Hedgehogs: A Prickly Tale of Survival in the Big City
London is home to many urban creatures—foxes, pigeons, squirrels—but few are as beloved (or as endangered) as the humble hedgehog. These nocturnal, spiky mammals have been a part of the British landscape for centuries, but in recent years, their numbers have dramatically declined. In London, however, hedgehogs are staging a quiet comeback, navigating the city’s…
-
The Day a Tiger Roamed London: The Legend of Jamrach’s Tiger
Imagine walking down a cobbled street in Victorian London, the fog hanging thick, gas lamps casting an eerie glow, and then—just in front of you—a tiger, roaming freely, prowling through the East End like it owns the place. This isn’t the plot of a gothic novel but a true story from 1857, when one of…
-
The Pigeon Eating Pelicans of St James’ Park
St. James’s Park, located in the heart of London, is not only a sanctuary for city dwellers seeking a moment of respite amidst the hustle and bustle, but it’s also home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife. One of the park’s most famed avian residents is the pelican. With their expansive wingspans and…
-
When Mammoths Ruled London
Thousands of years ago mammoths roamed the area now known as London…
-
London’s Peregrine Falcons
When you think of London’s skyline, towering landmarks like the Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Gherkin probably come to mind. But perched on the ledges of these iconic buildings is an unexpected group of residents—peregrine falcons. These birds of prey, once endangered in the UK, have made an extraordinary comeback and now thrive in…
-
The Peacocks of Holland Park
Holland Park, a leafy and elegant area in west London, is famous not only for its beautiful gardens and serene atmosphere but also for its peacocks! These majestic birds strut around the park, adding a unique charm to an already picturesque location. But why, you might ask, are there peacocks in Holland Park? The Origins of…
-
Where to see and feed London’s Parakeets
London is home to an unexpected but charming resident: the ring-necked parakeet. These striking green birds have become a familiar sight in the parks and gardens of the city, and many Londoners have taken to feeding them. If you’re curious about these feathered friends and want to see them and feed them, read on… Why…
-
The Pigeons of London
Pigeons are London’s most infamous birds. Dividing opinions, some people love and feed them, others hate them…