‘Scarce’ Stag Beetles thrive in Crane Park Island

Tesco’s Bags of Help grant has helped protect habitats over the last five years in Crane Park Island, Whitton.

London Wildlife Trust was awarded £12,000 in 2016 by Tesco as part of the “Wonderful Wildlife” scheme.

Richmond is a hotspot for Stag Beetles in the UK—which were named by the People’s Trust For Endangered Species as “nationally scarce”.

Stag Beetles are thriving in Crane Park Island

The grant has funded loggeries at the western Twickenham reserve, which have proved the perfect home for Stag Beetles.

Crane Park Island, which was formerly used for gunpowder production, now nurtures habitats for wildlife including woodland, reedbeds, ditches and ponds.

Christina Sharp, Grants Officer at London Wildlife Trust said: “We’ve had a very busy few years. The Tesco grant allowed us to vastly improve the habitats at Crane Park, and as a result, we’re seeing huge increases in the amount of Stag Beetle larvae.

“Not only has the grant helped preserve the species, but it has also allowed us to educate visitors. Now we can show people first-hand how extraordinary Stag Beetles are, and we can even encourage them to make their own habitats in their back gardens using dead wood.

Stag Beetles are thriving in Crane Park Island

“We’re hugely grateful for the grant from Tesco and we hope we can continue to support local wildlife at the park, along with encouraging Stag Beetle populations to go from strength to strength.”

In Twickenham, 61 groups received grants worth up to £141,519 from the Bags of Help scheme.

Keith Jackson, Communications Manager at Tesco, said: “Over the last five years, we’ve been delighted to have been able to support so many charities, community groups and organisations from every corner of the UK.

“It was great to hear about how London Wildlife Trust has spent their grant, and we hope it encourages others to apply for support too.”