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THAMES ROAD WETLAND HITS 20 SPECIES OF ODONATAThames Road Wetland, managed by Thames21 volunteers, has seen an increase of 6 species of Odonata in the last 12 months, adding a couple of the newer arrivals in the UK that have been present at other sites in the Borough for a while now and two undergoing general range expansion. This is likely to be due to increased observer effort, with a helper who lives fairly close now visiting the site 2 or 3 times a week.
Autumn 2025 saw the addition of Scarce Chaser.
A Four-spotted Chaser was photographed on 5th June 2026, a Norfolk Hawker on 1st July, a pair of copulating Southern Migrant Hawkers on July 22nd and a Southern Hawker on 21st August.
A Lesser Emperor was also seen.
Although only 2ha in area, the site benefits from a large expanse of floodplain land to the south and west, and the Outer Crayford Marshes and Dartford Marshes stretching down to the Thames to the north of Thames Road.
The full list of species is currently:
Damselflies (6) - Azure, Banded Demoiselle, Blue-tailed, Common Blue, Large Red, Willow Emerald.
Dragonflies (14) - Hairy, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Norfolk (Green-eyed) Hawker, Southern Hawker, Southern Migrant Hawker, Emperor, Lesser Emperor, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Scarce Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter.
Thanks to Jim and Tom for photos.
Chris Rose, Volunteer Site Manager
UPCOMING LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY EVENTS AT BEXLEY SITESNon-members welcome on a 'taster' basis. To join: www.lnhs.org.uk/index.php/join-now (£20 p.a., under 18/students £5)
Great for beginners as well as the more experienced.
Sat Nov 7th. 2026. 10.00-14.00. London Bird Club section of the LNHS. Danson Park. Meet Welling station. Leader Bexley RSPB's very own Harry Halstead.
Sat Nov 21st. 2026. 10.00-14.00. LBC. Meet Belvedere station 10.00. Leader George Kalli.
Sat 16th Jan. 2027. 10.00-14.00. LBC. Crayford Marshes. Meet Slade Green station 10.00. Leader Harry Halstead.
Sat 6th Feb 2027. 10.00-14.00. LBC. Crayford Rough and Hall Place Gardens. Leader Harry Halstead.
For full list of events across London, covering a wide variety of wildlife topics, see:
www.lnhs.org.uk/index.php/activities/full-programme
JOIN A WETLAND HABITAT WORK SESSION AT CRAYFORD MARSHES ......The next Thames21 staff-supported event at Thames Road Wetland, an important wildlife site on the Inner Crayford Marshes, will be on Friday 11th September.
We will be clearing cut Reed to retain open pools, digging out Reed rootmat to 'recover' open water areas for Dragonflies and Water Voles and clearing out more of the road run-off trap so that it has plenty of capacity once the autumn rains kick in.
Samantha Dhedhi will be bringing all equipment provided. No sophisticated skills needed. A chance to meet new people and get close to wildlife.
Basic refreshments available. Loos available at the nearby council depot.
Ffi/to book:
book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkzaAmCNTk2TC
Looking for a career in environment/wildlife conservation?LONDON WILDLIFE TRUST - Green careers showcase event ..........
www.facebook.com/LondonWildlifeTrust/posts/pfbid0sx533b2dpvpBAVtfA8MiqqZrdxHRBuVnLR97cuL82USNpJSP...
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Category Archives: Friends of the Shuttle
Help check river pollution with the Cray/Shuttle Outflow Safari
Dear Jonathan, I am a project officer for the Zoological Society of London, currently running a programme looking at London’s river pollution. I just wanted to reach out to your organisation as we have a volunteer opportunity that some … Continue reading
Friends of the Shuttle events Jan-March 2017
Advance notice of Friends of the Shuttle events on the River Shuttle, at Danson Park, and in Danson Park Old English Garden (which the group helps maintain). The River Shuttle meeting time is 10.30, that for the OEG is 10.00. … Continue reading
Friends of the Shuttle end of year river and Danson events
This Autumn FotS continue their programme of river cleaning events along the River Shuttle. Locations to be confirmed. They will be meeting at 10.30am. All tools and equipment provided as are tea/coffee and biscuits after the event. Please contact them … Continue reading
Friends of the Shuttle Bird Walk Report
Download the PDF file .
Floating Pennywort removal at Sidcup Golf Club
A good sized team of around 30 from a selection of groups, including Sidcup Golf Club, Thames21 and North West Kent Countryside Partnership, turned up to the event this morning for invasive plant removal, organised and led by Friends of … Continue reading
FotS steps up Danson wildlife and environmental action
The Friends of the Shuttle is stepping up its wildlife activity and hands-on environmental work at Danson Park during 2016. The lake drains into the Shuttle in Bexley Park Woods. Besides fortnightly maintenance sessions in the Old English Garden, there … Continue reading
Posted in Danson Park, Friends of the Shuttle, Volunteering
Tagged Danson Park, FotS, Friends of the Shuttle, Old English Garden
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Friends of The Shuttle conservation programme 2016
Keep an eye on our Calendar page and Facebook postings for updates throughout the year. Download the PDF file . FOTs programme 2016
Posted in Friends of the Shuttle, Rivers
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Volunteers clean up in Marlborough Park
Gloomy conditions fail to dampen spirits of the Friends of the Shuttle team as another shocking amount of rubbish is removed from in and around the river. Thanks to all those who came to Marlborough Park this morning (January 14th) despite … Continue reading
FotS team clears 41 sacks of rubbish from in and around Danson lake
A big thanks to everyone who turned out in absolutely awful weather yesterday (November 14th) to help clean up the lake. We collected 41 bags of rubbish which was a great result! Here is a photo of our rather, damp – but … Continue reading
Posted in Danson Park, Friends of the Shuttle, Litter, Volunteering
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Friends of the Shuttle – expanded and altered programme of events
Friends of the Shuttle, the hands-on environmental group working along the River Shuttle, Wyncham Stream and in Danson Park, has announced changed and additional dates in its increasingly busy schedule. Note that the previously touted date for the big Danson … Continue reading
Posted in Danson Park, Environment, Friends of the Shuttle, Litter, River Shuttle, Rivers
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