Wildlife is returning to wetlands after the area received nature conservation status.

A male reed bunting was recorded at Anton Crescent Wetlands this summer, the first time in about a decade.

The bird was spotted perching among the reeds sometime in May, when two singing male reed warblers were also spied.

A council spokesman said the birds were testament to the changes that had occurred during the past few years since the area was made a site of importance for nature conservation.

Other wildlife spotted included 34 species of bird, nine species of dragonflies and damselflies and 80 species of plant.

Belmont Pasture, which was also made a nature reserve under Sutton Biodiversity Action Plan 2005-10, has attracted fauna including Roesel’s bush cricket.

News of the wildlife’s return comes as Carshalton and Clockhouse committee proposed to make Carshalton Park, Pine Walk, Barrow Hedges and Queen Mary’s Park designated nature conservation sites under the action plan for 2010-15.

Councillor Colin Hall, executive member for environment and climate change, said: “Our wildlife areas are one of the reasons Sutton is so special and we should all be proud of the work going in to conserve them.

“Anton Crescent Wetlands and Belmont Pasture are among our most important nature sites and we want them to be enjoyed by the whole community.

“The protection of biodiversity is increasingly vital, not just for the intrinsic value of flora and fauna, but also for its contribution to people’s wellbeing and the role it has mitigating climate change.”

Sutton Nature Conservation Volunteers worked in partnership with the Environment Agency at Anton Crescent to ensure nature conservation and flood storage worked together.