All of us who value nature and green spaces will know that the borough of Ealing has quietly become a haven for wildlife. This is largely due to the efforts of Ealing Wildlife Group (EWG). EWG is a local community group that started out with a bat walk run in Hanwell by the founder, Dr Sean McCormack, back in 2016. Since then, EWG has worked with Ealing park rangers to help nature across the borough. They also arrange Ealing’s nature events to educate residents about how they can help. In 2023, EWG secured a Kings Award for Voluntary Service. This great project attracted the attention of wildlife documentary star, David Attenborough.
Wild London Documentary with David Attenborough
On 1st January 2026, its efforts reached a national spotlight thanks to the Wild London documentary (available on BBC iPlayer). This is an inspiring look at the capital’s urban nature, narrated by David Attenborough. The programme shines a light on the dedicated individuals and community groups working to restore and protect Ealing’s unique green spaces.
As a former EWG officer, I, Natasha Gavin, have been privileged to be involved in several conservation projects. Installing swift boxes along whole streets, releasing harvest mice in Horsenden Hill with my teenage son. Also overwintering an injured hedgehog in my South Ealing garage and observing beavers silently gliding through the wetlands of Paradise Fields in Greenford. These are all highlights- and the last three of these wildlife projects were featured in the documentary.
Teams of volunteers and paid staff work so hard to help nature to thrive in Ealing. Sir David’s mellifluous voice brings weight, gravitas, and serenity to the cause, and a hopeful tone adds so much impact to the information being provided. So let’s celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday (8 May 2026) by making a difference. We will be honouring him in the borough we live and work in (Ealing and Hounslow respectively for me!).
Nature Events in Boston Manor Park in March, April and May 2026
Beautiful Boston Manor Park bordering Ealing has a wide range of free nature events from March to May. It’s culminating in a Nature Festival (23 May) and a showing (in half term) of Wild London, with a brief introduction about the Ealing projects by me (28 May). On 4 April, we will be unveiling a display unit with unique harvest mice. These mice are retired from an EWG breeding programme, supported by the EWG project officers and an Ealing park ranger.
With Vanessa Hampton (left), Park Manager and former senior park ranger for Ealing Council, I will be providing top tips on how to help wildlife in your back garden (2 May).
We will also be showcasing hedgehogs with two local community groups- Wild Chiswick and Ealing Hedgehog Friends (25 April). See the list below and mark the events on your family calendars- our events are open to all (ages). Bring your friends and family.
Meet our minute Harvest mice in their new home! Sat 4 April, 11-12.30pm
By Hub: come and meet our retired harvest mice in their new home and learn about this special tiny rodent with an even more special tail! This is funded by London National Park City charity, and supported by the Ealing Wildlife Group harvest mice team (featured in Wild London). It’s a unique opportunity to get close to a very rare species that had almost disappeared from West London. FREE, dop-in, donations to park welcome. See BMP outdoor events Facebook page for more details.
Help our hedgehogs, Saturday 25 April, 1.30-3pm
Service Yard: come and learn about Ealing/Hounslow hedgehogs and how we can help them from local expert organisations Ealing Hedgehog Friends and WildChiswick. This event is supported by ActforEaling.
FREE, drop-in, donations to park welcome. See BMP outdoor events Facebook page for more details.
Wildlife Friendly Gardening workshop with the BMP wildlife loving team, Saturday 2 May, 11-12.30pm
Inspired by David Attenborough’s 100 th birthday (8 May) and his BBC programme Wild London, learn practical, easy ways of supporting wildlife.
Make in your garden-make things to take home like wildflower seedballs, bug homes and birdfeeders to get you started right away!
Open to children aged 5 yrs up and all adults. Book your tickets via Eventbrite at £5 per person.
Bird Walks and Survey, Saturday 7 Mar, 4 Apr, 2 May, 08.30-10am
Meet on the lake platform. Take a leisurely walk around the park to record numbers and species of
birds in the park. No experience necessary, but bring binoculars if you have them. FREE. See BMP outdoor events Facebook page for more details.
Bat Walk with detectors, Thursday 2 & Wednesday 8 April, 7.45pm
You’ll discover some fascinating bat facts, see a real dead bat and detect (then spot) the bats come out to feed! Meet by the picnic tables by the lake.
Suggested donation of £2 per person, cash please on the night (to help us buy park resources). See BMP outdoor events Facebook page for more details.
Nature Festival, Saturday 23 May, from 12-4pm
Around Hub: come and enjoy all things wildlife and nature related.
Activities include songs with Me-Time Pop Choir, music, local arts and crafts stalls, info stalls from local green/nature groups with activities, petting zoo from Bedfont Lakes.
Things to do, buy, experience, watch and learn about! Weaving with Nature workshop in Boston Manor House during festival. See BMP outdoor events Facebook page for more details.
Showing of David Attenborough’s BBC documentary Wild London Thurs 28 May 2.30-3.45pm,
At Hub to enjoy a brief wildlife talk (10mins) about the West London wildlife projects in the documentary, watch the film, and admire our Wildflower meadow named after Sir David. Free, drop-in. Open to all ages. See BMP outdoor events Facebook page for more details. Donations to park welcome. Bring popcorn!
About ActForEaling
ActforEaling steering group is basically a bunch of like-minded doers, with a unique range of skills and reaches (think lawyers, activists, graduates, accountants, TV producers, biologists and council officers).
Ealing recently lost an inspirational Greenford councillor far too young, Dr Aysha Raza – she was fun, passionate, likeable, effective, down to earth and very intelligent. She cared deeply about people and planet, and always had a smile on her face.
Ealing is lucky to have many individuals like her and those that involved with ActForEaling and the many voluntary organisations and charities in Ealing. They all champion good causes, living with purpose. Can you be one of them? Join us, please contact us to find out more.
Written by Natasha Gavin, Education Officer, Boston Manor Park and ActforEaling steering group member.
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