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NEXT THAMES ROAD WETLAND HABITAT MANAGEMENT SESSION 16th OCTOBER, WITH THAMES21, plus UPDATEJoin us at this staff-supported event where we will have a van full of kit to equip new / less frequent volunteers. Book here: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkzaAmCNTk2TC
Due to a mechanical fault with our brushcutter (which, after being sent round the houses, had to be taken to Letchworth (!) for repair), we are somewhat behind, so could do with a good turnout in order to catch up with Reed cutting and removal. For the more energetic, there is plenty more Reed rootmat/silt to dig out too.
Thomas Turrell, Conservative Greater London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, joined us unannounced at our 11/9 staffed event, and threw himself into helping clear out the road run-off trap and then Reed cutting along with 7 other volunteers. He confessed that he hadn't realised that we had Lizards in this country, but had taken an interest in one when abroad on holiday. I was pleased to show him a few of the 'locals', and he skillfully spotted a well-camouflaged individual himself. He has since been very helpful in getting Bexley Council to finally do something about the fly-tipping and arson attacks that have been going on up by the railway since mid July. Despite it being council land it has done nothing since we reported the matter on 17/7 and I still don't know why, or whether it has taken or intends to take any investigative action to identify the culprits. If it had bothered to put cameras out it may well have got them by now.
13 Lizards were seen on 11/9. There was a black and red Firebug, Hairy Shieldbugs on an old Burdock flower head and a Southern Green Shieldbug nymph.
A couple of Cetti's Warblers and a Water Rail were heard on 25/9. Migrant Hawkers and Darters were still about. A Thorn Apple plant that had come up in a pile of soil dumped by the entrance steps had opened a flower. There was a second flush of flowers on the small patch of Square-stemmed St. John's-wort at the west end.
2/10 saw a Kestrel hovering over the site and dropping down out of sight, while a Grey Heron flew over. A few Lizards were seen. There was a mating pair of Willow Emerald Damselflies.
Thanks to staff member Sam Dhedhi for photos.
CHRIS ROSE, VOLUNTEER SITE MANAGER
www.facebook.com/NWKCountryside/posts/pfbid0sQkBtXveV7AgCUDD3D6vgSM8J4vKs1isxaPLMieGFprt6NZKFYsm2...Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. Upcoming habitat management sessions at this normally inaccessible (to the puloic) site that straddles the Bexley/Bromley border .............
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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.
Category Archives: Reedbeds
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
Harvest Mice – first images of this London rarity in Bexley
Nests of of Harvest Mice (Micronomys minutus) , the UK’s smallest rodent, were first found at Thames Road Wetland in 2014, when 7 were discovered in the course of vegetation management work. None were located in 2015, but another three … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Biodiversity Action Plan, Harvest Mouse, Mammals, Raptors, Recording, Reedbeds, SINC, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21
Tagged Bexley, Biodiversity Action Plan, Brown Rat, Harvest Mouse, Micronomys minutus, Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21, trail camera, Wood Mouse
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Bexley RSPB visit to Thames Road Wetland
Just 6 of us turned out early on a dull morning with rain forecast, for a walk down the river Cray from Crayford town centre and around Thames Road Wetland, but it’s probably about the best number for keeping people … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Crayford, Plants in Bexley, Reedbeds, River Cray, River Wansunt, Rivers, RSPB, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Bexley RSPB, River Cray, Thames Road Wetland
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Thames21 team brave rain to clear river and plan Thames Road Wetland work
Cray River project boss Michael Heath, Chris Rose, Ray, Ron Pearson and Wren Rose turned out for a planning meeting at Thames Road Wetland on Wednesday 16th, despite the persistent rain, but first cleared a blockage of rubbish in the … Continue reading
Ruxley Gravel Pits SSSI working group announces autumn/winter dates
Ruxley Gravel Pits is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Come and help conserve the key features of this important wildlife site on the Cray by the Bexley/Bromley border. The birds have flown but the buddleia & the brambles continue … Continue reading
Posted in Reedbeds, River Cray, vegetation management, Volunteering
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QWAG members enjoy ‘back to nature’ experience at Thames Road Wetland
Seven members of the Quaggy Waterways Action Group, a river restoration organisation, and the Secretary of Friends of Sutcliffe Park, all from Lewisham, visited Thames Road Wetland on Saturday July 18th to learn more about the possibilities for enhancing wetland in … Continue reading
‘Conservation grazing’ at Thames Road Wetland
It’s been a while since the local ponies were on the site when I was around, but last week (June 23rd) I was intently studying the spread of the rare Brookweed when there was a quiet rustling right behind me. … Continue reading
Spring into summer at Thames Road Wetland
Things were hotting up at Thames Road Wetland on Tuesday (June 16th). Reed Bunting bred on site in 2013, but last year the male seemed to spend most of the summer singing, with no apparent success. Now he is back … Continue reading
Marsh Harrier drops in for Crossness briefing
Crossness showed with impeccable timing, just what makes it one of the very best wildlife sites in Bexley today, as Karen Sutton – recently promoted to Biodiversity Team Manager for Thames Water – showed two new members of her team … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Erith Marshes, Raptors, Reedbeds
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Ruxley team in coppicing action to maintain reedbed
Martin Watts reports on yesterday’s action (Jan 18th) from Ruxley Gravel Pits SSSI, just over the Bexley border in Bromley: ‘Sunday morning saw a light drizzle but it didn’t deter a party of nine from getting stuck into the re-growing willow … Continue reading
Posted in coppicing, Reedbeds, Ruxley Gravel Pits, Volunteering
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