Hampstead Heath wildlife

The Heath has lots of different habitats for wildlife, like acid grassland, heathland, woodland, hedgerows, wildflower meadows, streams and more than 30 lakes and ponds. All these in one place - and in the middle of a city - means it's quite special and important to London and to the UK as a whole.

Those habitats are home to lots of special creatures, plants and more, like:

• Lots of interesting mammals like moles, hedgehogs and muntjac deer
• 650 types of wildflower
• 180 species of bird, including kingfishers, woodpeckers and many more
• 9 species of bat
• 6 species of reptile, snake and amphibian
• 25 species of butterfly
• 18 species of dragonfly and damselfly
• 400 species of moth
• 650 species of beetle
• 400 species of moth
• 200 species of spider
• 400 'veteran trees' full of nooks and crannies for birds, bugs and fungi to live in
• 800 types of fungi that help invertebrates to live on old and dead trees

Creature spotting

When you spot a hedgehog, snake, reptile or amphibian, while on the Heath, you can help us identify different species, by reporting your discovries.

Guidance over Avian Flu

Bird flu, or avian flu, is a serious infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds and can spread to human beings. Whilst we have no officially confirmed cases of avian flu at Hampstead Heath, during the current national outbreak please be vigilant and follow Government Guidelines:

- Do not feed wild birds by hand
- Do not touch dead or sick wild birds
- Keep dogs away from wild birds
- Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings
- Call Defra on 03459 33 55 77 if you find:
• one or more dead birds of prey
• 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
• 5 or more dead birds of any species

- Find out more on the Government website.

Watch our wildlife

Our staff and visitors are always out taking pictures. Follow us on X to see all our latest snaps.