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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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Tag Archives: Bexley RSPB
Bexley RSPB Group Walk: Crossness Nature Reserve, Tuesday 31st May 2022
Report by leaders Ralph and Brenda Todd. Download the PDF file .
Report of Bexley RSPB trip to Rainham Marshes reserve on 14/12/2019
Group sees 50 bird species at Rainham, despite some unfavourable weather. Report by Ralph and Brenda Todd. Download the PDF file .
Bexley RSPB members brave inclement weather to see Siskins, Teal and Kingfisher at Danson
Report from Ralph and Brenda Todd of the October 24th Bexley RSPB walk at Danson Park, of which the highlights were three Siskins a Teal and a Kingfisher. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Danson Park, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Danson Park, Kingfisher, Siskin, Teal
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RSPB Bexley Group Walk – Foots Cray Meadows, Thursday 26th September 2019
Good turnout of members enjoy 32 species of birds at Foots Cray Meadows, including a top quality view of a pair of Kestrels. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Brenda Todd, Foots Cray Meadows, Kestrels, Ralph Todd
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Bexley RSPB Joydens Wood bird walk report for 27/4/19.
Blackcaps dominate a chilly morning at Joydens Wood as Bexley RSPB continues to celebrate 40th anniversary. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Joydens Wood, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Joyden's Wood, Woodland Trust
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RSPB Bexley Group Walk – Crossness Nature Reserve and River Thames Thursday 18th April 2019
Report of RSPB Bexley Group Walk – Crossness Nature Reserve and River Thames Thursday 18th April 2019. Highlights for the 23 people present included Mediterranean Gull and Wheatear. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Crossness Nature Reserve, Mediterranean Gull, Thames, Wheatear
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Bexley RSPB 7th February Lamorbey bird walk report
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on the 26 species of bird seen during Bexley’s RSPB’s Lamorbey meeting this week, which was attended by 19 people, and reflect on some of the changes in local bird life that have taken place … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, RSPB
Tagged Bexley, Bexley RSPB, Egyptian Goose, Goldcrest, Lamorbey, Nuthatch, Peregrine
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BEXLEY RSPB – 40th ANNIVERSARY YEAR – PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Now is a good time to join the RSPB, one of the UK’s foremost conservation organisations, and to get involved with the Bexley local group (the Borough’s largest wildlife conservation organisation) the first field meeting of which was in the … Continue reading
Bexley RSPB Crossness bird walk, September 18th 2018.
Migrants still few and far between as Peregrine, Kestrel and Stonechat provide the birding highlights for 24 attendees at BRSPB’s Crossness outing. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Crossness, Karen Sutton, Kestrel, Little Egret, Peregrine, Stonechat
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Bexley RSPB Martens Grove 19th April bird walk report.
Stock Doves, Nuthatch and a Painted Lady butterfly were the highlights of Bexley RSPB’s visit to Martens Grove on April 19th, though the hot sunny weather seemed to result in less birds showing themselves than had been expected. Download the … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Martens Grove
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Martens Grove, Nuthatch, Stock Dove
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