The first Odonata of the year were in evidence at Thames Road Wetland on May 12th, with a Large Red Damselfly and a few Azure Damselflies seen. Three or four different Peacocks and a Brimstone butterfly were spotted, along with a Silver Y moth.
A Chiffchaff was around, and a Cetti’s Warbler called repeatedly. At dusk there appeared to be two of them, and a Song Thrush also chimed in. There were several pairs of Reed Warblers calling or flitting around, some of which came quite close while I was doing some vegetation management work and setting up Mark II Harvest Mouse lures.
The Mark II Harvest Mouse lure (foreground), to be baited with birdseed, is only supported by dead Reed stems, which should increase the chances that usage indicates continued presence of the species, compared with the Mark I version in the background, underslung on a bent over Willow branch, which was utilised but may have been easier for Wood Mice to get into. (Photo: Chris Rose)
There was some brief calling from what sounded like a male Reed Bunting. Two Swifts were overhead for a short while. At one point a loose group of 37 Carrion Crows flew over the site heading for their night roost.
The main ditch at Thames Road Wetland. (Photo: Chris Rose)
An adult Common Lizard was disturbed when I removed some litter, and Marsh Frogs were calling.
There was one Cuckoo Flower in bloom, and the Bird’s-foot Trefoil is now in flower on the flat area next to Thames Road.
I was dismayed to spot a sunken motor scooter in the east ditch, but was able to get hold of the front wheel. It wasn’t too heavy so I was able to get it out single-handed. There has been a spate of such vehicles dumped in the Wansunt and lower Cray over the last 18 months or so, and this latest incident will be reported to the police as well.
For local criminals waterways in the lower Cray area have become the dump site of choice for stolen motorbikes and scooters. (Photo: Chris Rose)
In addition, some halfwit had dumped a shopping trolley in the Wansunt next to the sewer Pipe Bridge by the wetland. This will have to be got out on a future occasion.
Chris Rose. Site Manager.
