The Ealing Beaver Project

Nestled in the serene environs of Paradise Fields in Greenford, Ealing, the Ealing Beaver Project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering urban human-beaver coexistence. As London’s first fully accessible urban beaver reintroduction site, the project partnership are dedicated to bringing people closer to nature right in the heart of the city.

A family of five Eurasian beavers was officially released into Paradise Fields in Ealing (London), on 11th October 2023. This was the outcome of years of planning orchestrated by The Ealing Beaver Project, a partnership between the Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, the Friends of Horsenden Hill and Ealing Council.

Thanks to funding from the Mayor of London’s Rewild London Fund, the Biological Recording Company was able to deliver a series of Field Recorder Day events at the site prior to the release of the beavers. In 2026, we are delighted to be returning to Paradise Fields (thanks to the HS2 Community and Environment Fund) to give naturalists an opportunity to record the wildlife in the ‘post-beaver’ landscape. It will be very interesting to see what we find which is new! See the full programme of events – including links to sign-up for free – below.

Upcoming Field Recorder Days

Checking out the remaining events in our 2026 Field Recorder Day programme at Paradise Fields below.

The 2026 Field Recorder Day events at Paradise Fields are delivered by the Biological Recording Company with support from Ealing Wildlife Group, the Earthworm Society of Britain and London Natural History Society as part of The Ealing Beaver Project.

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Highlights from Pre-release Field Recorder Days

Three of the more notable species recorded and photographed at Paradise Fields during the pre-release Field Recorder Days are pictured below. From left to right:

1. Silis ruficollis, a nationally scarce soldier beetle associated with wetlands, photo ©  Mick Massie;
2. Ferdinandea cuprea, one of the less frequently seen large hoverflies in the London area, photo © Alex Worsley;
3. Thecla betulae (Brown Hairstreak), a high conservation priority butterfly species, adults of which are rarely seen, photo © Alex Worsley.

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The Ealing Beaver Project. is a partnership between Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, the Friends of Horsenden Hill, and Ealing Council.

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Project Achievements

You can read about what wildlife we found during the pre-release Field Recorder Day events in the Paradise Fields Field Recorder Day Report below.

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Learn to record wildlife with iRecord

Understanding what makes a good biological record is only the first step. The next stage is learning how to submit your records so they can contribute to biological recording schemes, conservation projects and scientific research.

Our iRecord 101 online training course provides a practical introduction to using the iRecord platform. You’ll learn how to create and manage records, add photographs and locations, submit observations for verification, and make the most of iRecord’s features with confidence.

You’ll learn how to:

• Learn what biological recording is and how it supports wildlife research, conservation, citizen science, and environmental decision-making.
• Understand how the iRecord platform works, and confidently submit, manage, and share species records.
• Gain practical skills in collecting high-quality wildlife data, including what information to record, how to ensure accuracy, and how to avoid common mistakes.
• Develop confidence in using recording apps and tools, understanding verification processes, and contributing reliable data to recording schemes and conservation projects.

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