Once completed, the island in the middle of the Model Boating Pond will be a sanctuary for birds, insects, frogs and wildflowers.
And planted reedbeds will offer a habitat for mallard, coot, grebe, and swans – alongside rarer birds such as woodcock and snipe.
The diggers are removing the causeway linking the shore to the island so that wildlife won’t be disturbed by Heath walkers – or their dogs.
John Beyer of the Heath and Hampstead Society – who raised the majority of the £50,000 to fund the scheme through private donations – said works should be finished by the start of the breeding season next month.
“This project has been on our to do list for 10 years so we are delighted it’s finally happening,” he said.
“I was terribly excited to see the diggers arrive this week. With all the pressure of people on the Heath all the time, it’s wonderful for the wildlife to have that little patch.
“There’s not much vegetation around the concrete rim of the Model Boating Pond so the reed beds will be doing good stuff, helping to filter the water and perhaps attract dragonfly and reed warblers.”
He said there had been much debate over the years about whether the island should be open to the public or closed off, but the pressure of increased footfall on Hampstead Heath meant it was vital to have some areas “just for wildlife”.
“This fits with our approach to the Heath – to preserve its wild state as much as possible,” he added.
“As well as mallards, coots and swans we do get occasional visitors like woodcock and snipe and it may be that if this area was more wild we might see more visitations in the future.”
Wildflowers will be sown on the island and temporary fencing will protect the area while the island habitat is bedding in.
Mr Beyer said they don’t usually like fences, but a few dogs sometimes manage to swim across to the island.
“It looks wonderful now even in the rain and once the oxeye daisy and Lady’s bedstraw flowers are up it will be really beautiful.”
The scheme is being managed by Hampstead Heath managers the City of London Corporation and has been part funded by their climate action strategy to provide new habitats for wetland birds, amphibians and reptiles.
Chair of the Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman Gregory Jones KC, said: “By removing the causeway, we’re giving species like mallard, coot, grebe, and swan a safe space to feed, rest, and nest – free from human disturbance.
“It’s a place they already use, and soon they’ll have it all to themselves.”
