With a growing interest in the butterflies of Bexley, and more people reporting observations, the extent of our knowledge about these species, and their distribution locally, is changing on a weekly basis. This revised version incorporates new information about the Ringlet, Small Heath and Brimstone, in particular. No sooner was this latest update finished than the first Painted Ladies of 2016 were seen in the Borough, and a Small Heath was found at Thames Road Wetland – facts that will have to be incorporated in the next re-write …..
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DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - RUXLEY GRAVEL PITS CLEAN-UP EVENT** Please share to anyone who may be interested in helping **
From: Lucy.Sawyer-Boyd@kent.gov.uk <Lucy.Sawyer-Boyd@kent.gov.uk>
I am organising a big volunteer litter clearance day at Ruxley Gravel Pits on Friday 2nd August.
This large Site of Special Scientific Interest is usually closed to the public, but the River Cray flows through the site and brings with it lots of litter.
We will be attempting to remove as much of this litter as possible.
I am inviting several different groups to take part and hoping to make a big impact.
Whilst most of the area is in Bromley, the northern edge falls within the London Borough of Bexley.
Please feel free to forward this to any individual contacts and local volunteer groups who might want to get involved.
Many thanks.
Best wishes.
Lucy Sawyer-Boyd
Partnership Officer, North West Kent Countryside Partnership,
Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ
Tel: 0300 0410589/ Mobile:07809334071
HOLT HOSTS NATIONALLY RARE PLANTS INITIATIVE AT LESNESEstate Manager Ian Holt reports that Lesnes Abbey Woods volunteers, working with Dr Mark Spencer, have recently sown both
Tower Mustard (Turritis glabra) and Copse Bindweed (Fallopia dumetorum) seed in an effort to aid species recovery.
Until its discovery at Lesnes in 2018, the last known Tower Mustard record for Kent (where it was believed to be extinct) was in 1964. It has declined nationally, especially since the 1930s. The seed has good longevity in the seed bank, so it can reappear years after it was last seen.
Thanks to a book about the woods by Marriott, which provides lists of species present at the site in the early 1900's, we know that Copse Bindweed was present back then. Ian says he thinks they have identified where the Copse Bindweed was last found. Volunteers have helped clear this area of vegetation, and a mature oak at this location has also fallen, so the team is hoping that increased light levels will encourage germination from the seed bank. There is one case from Kent where the species came back after 124 years.
As a back up, seed collected from London's only current Copse Bindweed site has been sown in pots . At the moment the
plan is to tend to any successful seedlings and then sink the pots into the ground in the wood. If plants emerge from the Lesnes seed bank, the pots will be whipped out and used elsewhere.
Mark Spencer is co-ordinator of work to produce a new atlas of wild and 'escaped' plants in London, and has also been behind the recovery of the nationally scarce Marsh Sow-thistle, having fortuitously saved seed from the last individual in the capital at Crayford Marshes. This was subsequently destroyed. Plants from these seeds were planted out at Thames Road Wetland where over the ensuing 13 years the population has thrived and increased in numbers.
Pleased to see Thames Road Wetland s 1st Green Hairstreak of the year at the Thames21 workparty on 12/4.The site was excavated to form the wetland in 2007, and the wildlife has been closely monitored by myself starting in 2010. This species was first seen here in 2016. It tends to form small colonies, and from memory I've only ever seen 2 or 3 t at a time here, so it's always a minor relief to find it's persisted through another winter.
The adults are usually found along the south-facing Thames Road bank, and the larvae are likely to be feeding on the Gorse and/or Dogwood at this location, and possibly the Bird's-foot Trefoil up by the road, though this has suffered badly in the last couple of long dry springs.
Peacock, Comma, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and unidentified 'small' Whites were also out on this date.
Chris Rose. Volunteer Site Manager.
BRAEBURN BUTTERFLY COUNT TRANSECT OPERATION GETS UNDERWAY AGAIN.With the adult butterfly season now well underway, Braeburn Park's counting project is back in action.
Set routes are walked at intervals and all butterflies seen within a set distance from the pathway are counted. The data can then be used to estimate populations of each specoes both at the site and, when added to data from across London, the capital as a whole. By repeating the process each year, population trends can be determined.
For more info./to get involved please contact Site Manager Simon Hawkins <shawkins@wildlondon.org.uk>
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BRAEBURN PARK (London Wildlife Trust), CRAYFORD.**Next work session Thursday 18/4.
A variety of tasks are undertaken depending on priorities at the time. Path management and targeted habitat work often feature.
Meet 10a.m. at the compound by the industrial estate off the old Rochester Way (see image appended). We usually finish at 3 (but you can come and go as you please). Trained leaders and first aiders will be present. No experience required. Equipment provided. Wear suitable work clothes and sturdy footwear.
Tea/coffee and biscuits supplied. Bring any other food and drink you may require.
Contact Simon Hawkins <shawkins@wildlondon.org.uk> in advance for more details / to let him know when you're likely to arrive if not by 10 a.m.