Nature watch
You may be surprised at the variety of wildlife, plants and trees you’ll find in Hollydale Open Space. Despite being close to busy roads and Bromley town centre it is a haven for birds, bats, wild flowers and insects.
Come along to one of the organised walks to discover the flora and fauna on your doorstep. Our volunteer expert guides will be happy to answer your questions.
Come along to one of the organised walks to discover the flora and fauna on your doorstep. Our volunteer expert guides will be happy to answer your questions.
Flora and Fauna Nature walks at Hollydale are full of surprises. You’ll discover trees, wildflowers, fungi, butterflies, birds, insects, animals and much more. The island between the lakes is a conservation area, creating a safe environment for ducks and moorhens to make their nests. In springtime look out for ducklings and chicks! Grey squirrels are often seen collecting and burying nuts. Foxes sometimes emerge from nearby back gardens in search of food. Some parts of Hollydale have been specially planted to attract birds, butterflies, bees and bats. We’ve even constructed a loggery to create a home for Stag Beetles. Check the Events calendar or the noticeboards for the next Nature walk date. |
Birds
Hollydale is home to a large variety of birds and attracts many visitors. Ducks, geese, herons and sometimes, even cormorants come to the lake. If you’re lucky you may see a Kingfisher but they are very shy. Woodpeckers can often be heard tapping the bark of the trees with their beaks. Organised Bird walks take place throughout the year with different bird sightings possible each time. In springtime look out for ducklings and chicks. Check the Events calendar or the noticeboards for the next Bird walk date. |
Bats Have you ever seen a bat? Would you like to find out more about these interesting creatures? Organised Bat walks are held twice a year at sunset, in April and September. So far we’ve spotted three varieties of bats in Hollydale, the Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and the Daubenton. Contrary to popular belief, bats can see as well as humans but because they feed in the dark they need to use their hearing to find insects. With the aid of special bat detectors we’re able to hear the high-pitched calls that bats make to find food. Using “echolocation” bats can locate insects from the time it takes for the sound of their calls to bounce back off them. Check the Events calendar or the noticeboards for the next Bat walk date. |
