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Slowing the flow - OXLEAS WOODS. With Thames21. Reducing run-off rates on Shooters Hill and making biodiversity improvements.Just over the border in Greenwich, so may be of interest to 'BW' followers.
15 events involving the construction of leaky dams to hold back water, and dead hedges in eroded areas to protect and encourage the recovery of the woodland understory.
29th and 30th Sept fully booked. You can opt to join a waiting list.
Places available at further events from Thursday 1st Oct through to 25th of March.
Led by Charlie Southard.
Advance booking essential (planning / event management / safety / sufficient equipment):
book.plinth.org.uk/e/9TPs7t51MkYdlQFqEbKm
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Slowing the Flow: Oxleas Woods
book.plinth.org.uk
<p><strong>Join us to turn Oxleas Woods into a flood-fighting, biodiversity-boosting powerhouse!</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This winter, join us for 15 fun and hands-on volunteer events as we transform...
Climate Change Film. LESNES ABBEY RUINS LODGE. Weds November 11th 19.00-20.30After the drought and prolonged heat waves this year, the woods and all of us are grateful that we have had some rain.
Whether you believe that Climate Change is caused by human beings or just a natural phenomenon, one fact is undeniable - the planet is getting warmer.
We will be showing a film produced by the National Emergency Briefing that explains what is happening and what we can do to minimise its impact.
Tickets are Free and can be booked here. Note that it is not recommended for those under 16 but has a BBFC rating of 12+. Any children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
www.ticketsource.com/folaw/
NORTH WEST KENT COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP - habitat management sessions in Bexley during October.Wednesday 7th – Gattons Plantation Pond, Cocksure Lane, Sidcup
We will be clearing bramble and laurel and cutting down small trees around the pond along with removing non native snowberry plants that are growing along Cocksure Lane. Brushcutter operators maybe required for this task.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site. There is a small bay/passing area before the entrance gate to the site in which a few cars can park otherwise parking may need to be found along Cocksure Lane and other residential roads nearby.
maps.app.goo.gl/KLsPeRMYW2pJGgfn6
What3words parking spot: ///liver.blues.worked
What3words entrance: ///jump.cheek.wicked
Wednesday 28th – St Mary’s Churchyard, Manor Road, Bexley, DA5 3LX
We will be cutting the grass on site and raking. Brushcutter operators will be needed.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 10am, at the churchyard (black gates at end of Manor Road). There is limited parking on site but parking usually ok in hall car park next door. There are no facilities on site but the toilet at the hall next door is often available.
goo.gl/maps/2Czb3X9qMs6KcPLg9
What3words: Meeting point = ///sheep.buzz.codes
Entrance gate = ///sushi.mole.washed
Just a quick reminder that any volunteers who plan to meet us on site should let the member of staff leading the task know as soon as possible so that they can pack the correct number of tools and inform them of any task changes/delays that may occur.
If there are any updates or changes with the programme, we will update it regularly on the volunteer page on our website (www.nwkcp.org ). We will also contact the regular volunteers by phone if any last-minute changes to the location of the task happen.
Please remember to bring with you; suitable clothes for the weather conditions, a packed lunch and suitable footwear (we insist working boots with steel toecap and mid sole are worn at all times to comply with health and safety and insurance considerations). We will supply all other equipment, gloves and safety equipment and also hot drinks and biscuits throughout the day.
Each project will be led by a NWKCP member of staff who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have throughout the day. A health and safety talk will also be given at the beginning of each project. If you are planning to come out on a project for the first time this month then please let us know beforehand which day that will be.
We write a risk assessment for each task day, and a copy of this will be brought to the site and available for you to read if you wish.
FRIENDS OF THE CRAY AT CRAYFORD - litter clearance along Footpath 106. Friday 2nd October from 10 a.m.Join the FotCaC team to clear up the riverside footpath running downstream from Crayford town centre to Barnes Cray Road.
Equipment provided. Wear work clothes. Bring any food and drink required.
Meet at the junction of Barnes Cray Road and FP106.
HELP RECORD WILDLIFE AT LESNES ABBEY WOODSIn 2025, the National Lottery Heritage Fund funded the Lesnes 500 project to recreate and commemorate the book, ‘British Woodlands as illustrated by Lessness Abbey Wood’ for its 100th anniversary,
The London biodiversity records centre and Site Manager Ian Holt are keen to see any visitors, and people of all levels of wildlife knowledge, adding to the pool of records for this project.
Ffi: www.gigl.org.uk/2026/09/17/get-lesnes-abbey-savvy/
Recording scheme:
www.cognitoforms.com/GiGL2/LesnesAbbeyWoodsWildlifeSurvey
Lesnes Abbey Woods Wildlife Survey
www.cognitoforms.com
Author Archives: Chris Rose
Thames Road Wetland latest – Mk2 Harvest Mouse ‘safety’ tubes, Brown Argus confirmed and dumped car reported to police
Much time was spent yesterday (7th September) replacing Mark1 Harvest Mouse monitoring feeding tubes with a much safer Mk2 version that is also attached to a bamboo cane rather than in-situ vegetation. The new design features an ‘escape’ hatch at … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Reptiles and Amphibians, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Bexley Council, Brown Argus, Cetti's Warbler, Grass Snake, Harvest Mouse, Marsh Frog, marsh sow-thistle, Migrant Hawker, Police Crayford Safer Neighbourhood Team, River Wansunt, Thames Road Wetland
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Brown Argus booming in Bexley – or just previously overlooked?
The Brown Argus butterfly (Aricia agestis) has been found in some new Bexley sites in recent weeks. It was identified at Braeburn Park. Between 2 and 4 individuals have been seen at Grasmere Road allotment site in the past fortnight. … Continue reading
Posted in Butterflies
Tagged Braeburn Park, Brown Argus, Perry Street Farm, Thames Road Wetland
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Crossness Nature Reserve – new events schedule
Somewhat belatedly, here’s the autumn and winter schedule of events for Crossness. Please do try and get down and support one of the best wildlife sites in Bexley. You will receive a warm welcome, and pre-booking helps Karen arrange enough … Continue reading
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Braeburn Park (LWT) to Churchfield Wood and St. Mary’s Churchyard. Some plants and insects seen on 16th August.
On a warm sunny day at London Wildlife Trust’s Braeburn Park reserve there were fair numbers of butterflies about. Holly Blues were seen across the site. Some male (mostly) and female Common Blues were on the large grassy/scrubby bund to west … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Butterflies, Churchfield Wood, Invasive species, Invertebrates, London Wildlife Trust, Plants in Bexley, Recording, vegetation management, Volunteering, wild flowers
Tagged Braeburn Park, Brown Argus, Churchfield wood, Hare's-foot Clover, Harebell, Hazel coppice, Jersey Tiger moth, London Wildlife Trust, Marjoram, Old Bexley, Small Heath, Southern Hawker, St. Mary's churchyard, Tansy, Tree of Heaven, Upright Hedge-parsley, Wasp Spider, Wild Basil
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It’s Gold on former Thamesview golf course for Mike Robinson
Mike Robinson’s find of six Golden Dock (Rumex maritimus) plants in late July, at the former Thamesview golf course to the west of Crossness, has now been confirmed by Dock expert Geoffrey Kitchener of the Kent Botanical Recording Group. Very … Continue reading
Wasp Spider boom at Thames Road Wetland
There is an unusually large number of Wasp Spiders (Argiope bruennichi) at Thames Road Wetland this year, something first noticed by Jason Steel a week ago when he counted 32. Yesterday I managed 38, though I wouldn’t say this was … Continue reading
Posted in Invertebrates, Recording, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Argiope bruennichi, Thames Road Wetland, Wasp Spider
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Some recent Bexley butterfly photos by Mike Robinson
A Painted Lady Butterfly rests on the Foreshore beside the Thames in the Erith area ~ 3 August 2016 pic.twitter.com/p11459Rzyc — Mike Robinson (@MikeFRobinson) August 3, 2016 A Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly visits Buddleia flowering beside the Thames Path in the … Continue reading
New rarity – Britain’s ‘largest’ fly, the Hornet Robber – found at Thames Road Wetland
Jason Steel, a leading local wildlife photographer, has captured a picture of the rare Hornet Robber Fly (Asilus crabroniformis), at Thames Road Wetland. According to Buglife, this predatory species, which protects itself by resembling a Hornet, is thought to now … Continue reading
Bexley Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation review saga – two and a half years later and still no sense of urgency
Bexley Natural Environment Forum continues to press Bexley Council on the long-overdue sign-off on the 2013 review by the London Wildlife Trust of the Borough’s existing and potential new Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. The fact that the deadline … Continue reading
Cemeteries are haven for Harebell and other uncommon plants
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) , a rare plant in London, and other species that are uncommon in the capital or Bexley, such as various low-growing clovers, Trailing St. John’s-wort, Changing Forget-me-not and Ivy Broomrape find a haven in the Borough’s cemeteries where … Continue reading