Biodiversity
In 1994 the Government at that time published the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in response to signing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the 1992 Rio earth summit. The aim of the plan was to set up a programme for conserving the UK’s biodiversity. This lead to a number of action plans for many of the most threatened species and habitats. This also included action at local levels where Local Biodiversity Action Plans would be created and where they can contribute to the National plans aims and objectives.
A review of the UK BAP priority list in 2007 led to the identification of 1150 species and 65 habitats that meet the BAP criteria at UK level.
See the 
Brunel University Biodiversity Action Plan.
Bicentenary Gardens
We are very lucky to have the Bicentenary Gardens situated on the southern edge of the Brunel campus. Very rich in wildlife, it's the kind of quiet sanctuary you would not expect to find in the middle of Uxbridge.
At the moment, bramble is the dominant species and has spread over a wide area. In time it will need some thinning but at present it's providing nesting habitat for a number of bird species. Various grasses, vetches and other flowering plants also provide home for other wildlife.
Twenty species of butterfly have been recorded in this area, and Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Small Skipper butterflies are especially common in late June and July. The buddleia bushes attract good numbers of Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Painted Lady in late July, August and September.
As well as butterflies many other species of insect benefit from this regenerated area of wasteland. With the River Pinn nearby, dragonflies and damselflies – including the impressive Emperor – frequent this area and can be seen on warm summer days hunting for insect prey.
On summer evenings pipistrelle bats can also be seen flying close to the hedge picking off flying insects. These nocturnal mammals consume thousands of small insects every evening.
Kestrels used to nest on the campus and can still be seen hovering in search of small mammals and insects.
Sparrowhawks feed exclusively on birds; they don’t hover but ambush their prey by snatching small birds from bushes and trees.
Resident breeding bird species include greenfinch, linnet, goldfinch, dunnock, song thrush and blackbird. In summer willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap and whitethroat join the resident species to breed before returning to Africa for the winter.
After the summer migrants have left, you can see wintering redwing and fieldfare feeding on the crops of berries on the bushes.
We hope to encourage more wildlife to this area with minimal but careful management.
