Ecology work gets underway in the Olympic Park

Aquatic experts will carefully remove fish from the Pudding Mill River on the Olympic Park site and relocate them in the nearby River Lea.

The work is part of the ODA's five-point Ecology Action Plan to protect, preserve and relocate wildlife as the Olympic Park site is developed.

The wetlands, waterways and woodland areas of the site are home to different species of fish, birds, bats and newts.

The ecology work will also include newt and reptile surveys and relocation, the creation of artificial nests for kingfishers and sandmartins, and surveys to check for bats and black redstart birds.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "We are creating the largest new urban park for 150 years, restoring ponds and waterways and creating new wetland habitats. As we do this, we must protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the site."

18 April 2007

Read the full media release

Read a blog from on-site ecologist Kim