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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
RSPB Bexley Group Field Trip – River Shuttle/Bexley Park Woods – Tuesday 16th May 2017
Report from Ralph and Brenda Todd on the RSPB Bexley Group’s walk along the River Shuttle and into Bexley Park Woods on Tuesday 16th May 2017: Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bexley Woods, Bird watching, River Shuttle
Tagged Bexley Park Woods, Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Nuthatch, River Shuttle, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Whitethroat
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Bexley butterfly recording – Mike Robinson provides first dates and a sightings log for early 2017. Transect count volunteers sought.
Local butterfly recorders are beginning to work together to build a better picture of the distribution, flight period and numbers of Bexley’s butterflies. Mike Robinson has been collating available data to produce a list of first sightings for the year … Continue reading
Bexley RSPB walk at Foots Cray Meadows, April 25th – report
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on a chilly April bird walk at Foots Cray Meadows. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Five Arches, Foots Cray Meadows, River Cray, Swallow
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Reed Warblers back at Thames Road Wetland as Green Hairstreak shows up for 2nd year and first Damselfly seen.
As reported from other sites, Reed Warbler is back in Bexley from its African wintering grounds, and a few could be heard chuntering from out in the reedswamp at Thames Road Wetland on April 12th. A Cetti’s Warbler was present … Continue reading
Bexley Natural Environment Forum submission on Old Farm Park housing and ‘landscaping’ proposals
Conservation group (full submission below) reiterates its objection to the Old Farm Park sell-off and sham consultations, highlights the need for new developments to be zero carbon, criticises the fact that one sixth of the land being taken over will … Continue reading
New survey shows 80% of public support less grass cutting as Bexley set to spend £90K on more frequent mowing and hedge-trimming
More than 80% of the public support the idea of councils cutting grass areas less frequently to protect the nation’s bees, according to a survey by Friends of the Earth and Buglife. http://www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2017/04/councils-urged-save-bees-not-cutting-grass Meanwhile the Bexley Conservative administration is set … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bexley Council, Trees, vegetation management
Tagged Bees, Bexley Council, Buglife, Cutting grass, Friends of the Earth, hedges, parks and open spaces, pollinators
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How Bexley Council voted yes to concreting Crayford Marshes Green Belt and yet another designated wildlife site
Back on February 16th a majority of Bexley Council’s Planning Committee voted with the chief planning officer’s recommendation to approve the Roxhill ‘Strategic Railfreight Interchange’ scheme on the southern part of Crayford Marshes, termed the landfill and agricultural area. This … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bexley Council, BNEF, Crayford Marshes, development threat, Environment, London Wildlife Trust, Open spaces, Planning, Uncategorized
Tagged Alan Deadman, Alan Downing, Ben Thomas, Bexley Council planning committee, Corn Bunting, Crayford Landfill and Agricultural SINC, Crayford Marshes, June Slaughter, Roxhill, SINC, Skylark, Slade Green Community Forum, SRFI, Stef Borella, Strategic Railfreight Interchange, Susan Clark
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Lizards and butterflies herald spring at Thames Road Wetland
So warm and sunny was it on March 15th at Thames Road Wetland that although it felt like the kind of day the Lizards would start to come out in force, they didn’t begin to show on the old tyre … Continue reading
Posted in Butterflies, Reptiles and Amphibians, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Comma, Lizard, Small Tortoiseshell, Snipe, Thames Road Wetland, Water Rail
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Thames21 and St. Paul’s Academy make Great British Spring Clean impact
Thames Road Wetland, the River Wansunt and the Cray along By-way 105 benefitted from the efforts of Thames21 and St. Paul’s Academy in Greenwich on March 5th, as 19 bags of rubbish (including separated recyclables), wooden pallets, items of clothing, electrical equipment … Continue reading