Wildlife at the Wharf.
Wappenshall Wharf is next to the Weald Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and our two canals are natural green corridors. It is no surprise that we have a fascinating natural environment to nurture and appreciate.
We are excited to see what birds, mammals, fish and insects we can spot, as well as ground and aquatic plants.
The watering of the East basin is attracting a wide range of birds including kingfishers, a grey heron, moorhen, coot and mallard. The basin also holds sticklebacks, dace, perch and roach naturally, plus brown newts, frogs and toads. We introduced bream, crucian carp, tench and rudd in December 2025 with the assistance of the Environment Agency’s Fisheries Officers.
Barn Owl
Our male barn owl looks on at his mate in the Barn Owl box we have built into the roof of the Transhipment Warehouse.
As part of the restoration, also built a roost for the owls and a bat hotel!
Moorhen
Every year our moorhen mother hatches her brood and then brings them up in the East basin, sometimes nesting on our water aerator.