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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
BRSPB Sidcup Place walk turns up interesting sightings after starting in sunshine and ending in snow
The latest in Bexley RSPB’s series of introductions to our lesser-watched local sites gave attendees the pleasure of seeing Redwings, Fieldfares, Lesser Redpolls and Lapwings. Walk leaders Ralph and Brenda Todd provide a full report: Download the PDF file . … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Fielfare, Lapwing, Lesser Redpoll, Redwing, Sidcup Place
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Bexley RSPB Joydens Wood visit report, 25th January 2018
Four Buzzards, a Treecreeper and five Siskins in glorious sunshine were the highlights of Bexley RSPB’s Joydens Wood field meeting this week. Joydens straddles the London/Kent border and most of it is on the Dartford side. Judging by reports – … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Buzzard, Joydens Woods, Siskin, Treecreeper
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Bexley RSPB Danson Park field trip report, 14th November 2017
Pochard and Little Egret were the highlights of the visit, the report of which was provided to us soon afterwards by the authors but the posting of which has been held up by computer and other issues at ‘BW’ HQ … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Danson Park
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Danson Park, Little Egret, Pochard
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In bad weather for birding, rarely recorded Treecreeper is highlight of Bexley RSPB meeting at Lamorbey
Poor visibility hampered viewing at Bexley RSPB’s meeting at Lamorbey Park on 26th October, but Redwing were heard, with one eventually seen. The best sighting was of a Treecreeper, a bird only rarely recorded in the Borough. A pdf of … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Lamorbey
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Lamorbey Park, Redwing, Treecreeper
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RSPB Bexley Group Field Trip – River Shuttle/Bexley Park Woods – Tuesday 16th May 2017
Report from Ralph and Brenda Todd on the RSPB Bexley Group’s walk along the River Shuttle and into Bexley Park Woods on Tuesday 16th May 2017: Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bexley Woods, Bird watching, River Shuttle
Tagged Bexley Park Woods, Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Nuthatch, River Shuttle, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Whitethroat
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Bexley RSPB walk at Foots Cray Meadows, April 25th – report
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on a chilly April bird walk at Foots Cray Meadows. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Five Arches, Foots Cray Meadows, River Cray, Swallow
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Report of Bexley RSPB bird walk, Lesnes Abbey Woods, March 11th 2017
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on the birds and other wildlife seen in Abbey woods at Bexley RSPB’s walk on 11th March. Comments are made about the condition of the heathland and wildflower areas, much of the credit for which … Continue reading
Bexley RSPB visit to Crossness nature reserve, 21st Feb 2017 – report and pictures
Ralph and Brenda Todd’s report on the latest birdwalk they have led, this time at Crossness on Erith Marshes. Good variety of birds seen including, for some, glimpses of a Bearded Tit. Download the PDF file .
Bexley RSPB members see Cattle Egret on Rainham visit
Having the Rainham RSPB reserve just over the water from Crayford Marshes increases the prospects of rarities turning up on our side of the river. Bexley RSPB members visiting on December 17th were delighted they got to see a Cattle … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Cattle Egret, Pintail, Rainham Marshes
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Bexley RSPB Foots Cray Meadows 6th December bird walk – report
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on the 6th December Bexley RSPB bird walk at Foots Cray Meadows, which attracted several members new to the group’s outdoor meetings. 28 species were seen including Little Egret, Kingfisher and Gadwall. Download the PDF … Continue reading