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Date updated: 19/03/2026

The Hampstead Heath Charity has carried out a transformative ecological project at Hampstead Heath’s Model Boating Pond. The small causeway connecting the pond’s island to the mainland has been removed to create a peaceful, undisturbed sanctuary for wetland birds and vital reedbed habitat has been expanded.

Why remove the causeway?

The causeway, despite being fenced, is regularly accessed by the public, disturbing wildlife. Its removal will establish 0.17 hectares of protected habitat, allowing birds to feed, rest, and breed without interference.

Species using the island include:

  • Mallard
  • Coot
  • Mute Swan
  • Tufted Duck
  • Egyptian Geese
  • Black-headed Gull
  • Moorhen
  • Great Crested Grebe

Rare visitors such as Snipe and Woodcock have also been recorded.

This sanctuary is one of the few areas on Hampstead Heath inaccessible to the public, significantly enhancing the site’s ecological value.

Expanding reedbed habitat

In addition to the sanctuary, the project has added 100m² of reedbed habitat, a UK priority for conservation. Reedbeds support aquatic biodiversity and provide shelter for nesting birds.

Reedbeds also help tackle climate change. As the reeds grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their stems, roots and surrounding soils, helping to lock carbon away naturally over time.

The new reedbeds will act as natural filters, trapping pollutants and improving air quality around the pond.

Wetland plants slow water movement and improve water quality, making the pond more resilient to hotter summers and heavier rainfall.

The new reedbeds will be planted adjacent to existing ones and in areas of open water currently lacking vegetation.

Wildflowers such as lady’s bedstraw and oxeye daisy will be carefully relocated to the island’s banks after landscaping.

While the causeway will be removed, the underlying concrete pipework will remain to ensure emergency access to the island.

Community support and funding

This project was funded thanks to generous donations to the Hampstead Heath Charity.  Thank you to those who have supported this important conservation project. 

Project timeline

The works took place in February and March 2026. Some reseeding of grass is due to take place later in the year and fences will be erected to protect the new reedbeds.