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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: Volunteering
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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Carry on coppicing – Ruxley team thins out Willows
Remembrance Sunday turned out to be a good day for the working party at Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. The water levels were unexpectedly low despite some heavy rains during the week. The nine volunteers got stuck into hacking back the saplings which … Continue reading
Crayford Academy pupils get stuck into Thames Road Wetland management work
Sixth-formers from the nearby Crayford Haberdashers Aske’s Academy helped with key winter tasks at Thames Road Wetland on the afternoons of 7th October and 11th November, getting most of the required Reedmace-pulling done in double-quick time and also cutting back … Continue reading
Crossness Reedbed Work Party 11th November
Dear Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, Attached is a picture of my two faithful volunteers, Reg and Roger, sitting down. Yes, sitting down! Mid-task!! This has never happened before!!! They have been incredibly busy cutting reeds around the wader … Continue reading
Erith fish show pervasiveness of plastics problem
International explorer Paul Rose and campaign partners joined environment charity Thames21’s foreshore clean up recently and called on Londoners to “do the right” thing and make sure their rubbish goes in the bin, not in the River Thames. The campaign aims to … Continue reading
Posted in Litter, River Cray, River Shuttle, River Thames, Rivers, Thames21, Volunteering, Welling
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Braeburn Park (London Wildlife Trust reserve) update and workdays
Work continues at the excellent new London Wildlife Trust reserve at Braeburn Park, 5 minutes up the road from Crayford railway station, and opposite Hall Place, on the south side of the railway line. http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/braeburn-park Reserve manager Shaun Marriott writes: … Continue reading
FotS: third Danson Lake clean-up to take place on November 14th
On November 14th Friends of the Shuttle will be running their third big Danson Park lake clean-up. Danson lake drains into the River Shuttle in Bexley Park woods. Despite two previous such events which removed a large amount of rubbish, … Continue reading
Posted in Danson Park, Litter, Volunteering
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Ruxley working group numbers grow – 14 help at September 27th event
Sunday 27th of September saw a glorious Indian summer day for the Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve [RGPNR] working party crew. Participation had increased to 14 people, who got stuck into the season’s regrowth of plants that would gradually shade or … Continue reading
River Cray project work for October – new volunteers welcome!
The Thames21 London waterways charity’s River Cray project officer Michael Heath has announced the following public events for October. Tuesday 6th October 2015 Chalk Stream River Cray Habitat Enhancements at Foots Cray Meadows. Some of the riverbank restoration work needs … Continue reading
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