East London is about to get a lot more charming and wildlife-rich thanks to an exciting new nature comeback. A project called Rewilding East London is underway at Eastbrookend Country Park in Dagenham, where two delightful native species, white storks and beavers, are set to make their long-awaited return to our capital.
Once native to Britain, white storks disappeared as breeding birds centuries ago. Now, thanks to careful habitat restoration and support from the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund, these majestic birds will arrive on site in autumn 2026. A purpose-built aviary will welcome the storks at first, and in time they’ll spread their wings and build nests of their own. Their stately presence and dramatic silhouette are sure to grab attention, inspiring locals and visitors alike.
Not to be outdone, beavers will follow in 2027, bringing their famous engineering skills along with them. These clever creatures are nature’s original landscapers: their dam-building and digging help create rich wetland habitats that benefit a whole cast of other species. The beavers will live in a publicly accessible enclosure with lakes, giving people a rare chance to watch them at work shaping their watery world.
Beyond just adorable wildlife sightings, the project aims to boost biodiversity, improve access to green space, and give the local community chances to learn and get involved. It’s a feel-good step toward reconnecting people with nature right in the heart of the city, and a reminder that even bustling urban places can be homes for wonderful wild creatures.
Beavers and white storks were once native to Britain, but were lost from the landscape after being hunted more than 400 years ago, making their return all the more special.
