This month’s highlights
The Heath in June resembles a nursery. On the ponds, you can now find Swans, Canada and Egyptian Geese, Mallards and Mandarin Ducks with their broods. Listen for the constant chirping calls of young Great Spotted Woodpeckers in their treeholes. And look out for young kestrels learning to fly and hunt.
Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young 
Young Kestrels at nest hole
On sunny June days, damselflies and dragonflies will begin to appear. Delicate red and blue damselflies will hunt in pondside vegetation.
Large Red Damselfly 
Common Blue Damselfly
Another Heath insect to look out for is the remarkable long-horned moth, whose antennae are many times the length of its body.
Yellow-barred Longhorn Moth
You can often find these swarming on plants as shown in this video.
June plants to look out for include Meadow Cranesbill and Birdsfoot Trefoil. The latter is the food plant of Common Blue butterflies, which will appear in June.
Meadow Cranesbill 
Birdsfoot Trefoil with Common Blue Butterfly
All photos by Adrian Brooker.
Biodiversity and you – make a difference!
Acknowledgements
This year’s biodiversity interpretation boards are a collaboration between City of London, English Heritage, Heath Hands, Marylebone Birdwatching Society, London Natural History Society and Heath & Hampstead Society. Boards will change with the seasons – view them all to the left.
High buildings seen from Hampstead Heath. Maintaining the openness of the Heath:The skyline to the South and South East of Hampstead Heath is of vital importance to the amenity of Hampstead Heath . It has an immediate impact on long range views over the whole of London from both Parliament Hill and the fields and …
Executive Summary: This submission to the 2024 Camden Local Plan consultation is made by the Heath & Hampstead Society with the support of a consortium of local organizations and community groups. It proposes the development of a nature-rich green corridor from Hampstead Heath into Kentish Town through improvements in a chain of five Camden Sites …
Sheep are part of an ecological trial on Hampstead Heath 11-18 September. If the pilot is successful, animal grazing could be expanded to other areas of the Heath. Grazing is known to play a major role in boosting species-rich wildlife habitats and reducing the use of machinery. Unlike mowing, grazing produces a mosaic of vegetation …
Wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, is today calling on people across the country to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count (14 July – 6 August) to help scientists understand the impact of climate change on our most-loved butterflies.
Read MoreLink to Festival Website Join us at St Marylebone Parish Church for an exciting festival celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Marylebone and our community! From music concerts and opera to free evening lectures and film screenings, our festival has something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the vibrant music scene of London with performances …
For dogs, swimming is a great form of exercise and a way to keep cool during the warmer months, but it can create a problem for nature on the Heath. Dog flea and tick treatments contain powerful pesticides. Dogs that have recently been treated with flea and tick products can introduce these chemicals into ponds …
