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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: River Cray
Mill Meadows site – BNEF remains opposed to impoverishment of SMINC habitat
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Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Bats, Bexley Vilage, House Martins, Mill Meadow, Old Bexley, Old Mill, planning, River Cray, SMINC, Water Voles
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Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Five Arches, Foots Cray Meadows, River Cray, Swallow
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Thames21 and St. Paul’s Academy make Great British Spring Clean impact
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Posted in Bexley, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Danson Park, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Recording, River Cray, River Shuttle, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Chalcolestes viridis, Crossness, Damselflies, Danson Park, Dragonflies, Dragonflies and damselflies of Bexley, Foots Cray Meadows, Lamorbey lake, London Borough of Bexley, Odonata, Odonata of Bexley, River Cray, River Shuttle, Thames Road Wetland, Willow Emerald Damselfly
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Thames21 River Cray and Thames Road Wetland events for Nov-Dec 2016
See schedule below. All welcome. Learn new skills. Meet new people. See interesting wildlife. Download the PDF file .
Posted in River Cray, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21, Uncategorized
Tagged River Cray, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21
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Bexley RSPB visit to Thames Road Wetland
Just 6 of us turned out early on a dull morning with rain forecast, for a walk down the river Cray from Crayford town centre and around Thames Road Wetland, but it’s probably about the best number for keeping people … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Crayford, Plants in Bexley, Reedbeds, River Cray, River Wansunt, Rivers, RSPB, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Bexley RSPB, River Cray, Thames Road Wetland
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