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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: Rivers
Cray Riverkeepers to launch boat blitz on lower Cray wash-out litter problem
As previously reported on BW, the lower Cray beyond Maiden Lane bridge is suffering from the large amounts of litter that gets washed into it as a result of the bankside undergrowth in which it was trapped dying back during … Continue reading
Posted in Cray Riverkeepers, Environment, Fish, Litter, River Cray, River Thames, Rivers, Thames21, Volunteering
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Two Cetti’s Warblers winter along lower Cray
Two Cetti’s Warblers were again heard along the lower Cray on Monday (March 9th) , one in the scrub between the Cray and River Wansunt just below Maiden Lane, and one on Thames Road Wetland. The species first bred in … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Crossness, Litter, River Cray, Rivers, Thames Road Wetland
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The River Cray project helps deliver Thames foreshore clean-up
Last week’s event at Erith (Feb 19th) in support of the Thames River watch Big Count clean-up was a great success for the Cray project thanks to all those attending and the team from the Erith Depot of Select Plant … Continue reading
Residents revolt over Council ‘carnage’ on banks of Wyncham Stream. New row as Council describes heavy-handed management of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation as ‘tree maintenance’.
Bexley Council is once again under scrutiny for an apparently budget-driven ‘scorched earth’ approach to vegetation management. Complaints from residents about the severity of an operation last week along the Wyncham stream, a tributary of the Shuttle, where it flows between Brookend … Continue reading
The River Cray is not for scrap – it’s our nature!
Cray Project Officer Michael Heath reports on last week’s (Fri. 13th) removal of car parts from the river just below Crayford town centre, following a second major fly-tipping incident: It was wonderful to be joined by old faces (returning volunteers) … Continue reading
Posted in Cray Riverkeepers, Environment, Fly-tipping, River Cray, Rivers, Volunteering
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Friends of the Shuttle volunteers remove rubbish from more Council open spaces
Another productive Friends of the Shuttle river-cleaning event took place today (12th February) at Crofton Avenue, Bexley. 15 bags of waste and recyclables were collected by 8 volunteers braving the chilly weather. Our haul also included a child’s car seat, a … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Litter, Open spaces, River Shuttle, Rivers, Volunteering
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FotS announces February events, including more at Danson Park
News just in from the Friends of the Shuttle, which has several events coming up. The next FotS clean-up is on the Shuttle on Thursday 12th February. We will be meeting at Crofton Avenue at 10.30, as always please let … Continue reading
From white snow to snow white at Footscray
The Thames21 Cray Riverkeepers team had a well-attended review of the past year and planning ahead meeting at Kelsey’s farm cafe on February 3rd. The day started off with snow on the ground, but by the time the event ended … Continue reading
Friends of the Shuttle sets up own Facebook page
To further boost its profile, promote its work, keep existing supporters in touch and garner new recruits, Friends of the Shuttle has set up its own Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheShuttle It’s early days yet, but it will no doubt soon … Continue reading
Posted in River Shuttle, Rivers, Volunteering
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The latest Friends of the Shuttle Newsletter, just published, looks back on a year of hard work and considerable achievements, as well as setting out the programme of events for the next few months, which look set to include some … Continue reading