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EARLIEST RECORDED RETURN DATE FOR BARNEHURST SWIFT NESTING ZONE.There were 3 Swifts circling over the northern half of Hillingdon Road this evening (29/4), the same place as the first ones I saw in this area in 2024. This was my first check of the year, so they could have got back even earlier.
Previous 'first dates' for this 'site' are as follows:
2024 - 1/5. None seen in an hour of circuits on 30/4
2023 - 2/5. My first check of the year so they may have arrived earlier. One reported at Crossness 28/4
2022 -8/5 (checked from 28/4)
2021 - 6/5 (had last checked 3/5)
2020 - 2/5 (first date checked)
2019 - didn't monitor
2018 - 7/5 (had checked every evening starting 1/5)
2017 - 4/5 (no prior daily checks)
2016 - 4/5 (no prior daily checks)
2015 - 6/5 (no prior daily checks)
The earliest Swifts in London this year were one at Rainham on April 14th, and another on the same date at Staines Reservoir.
Chris Rose
HELP CLEAN UP THE LOWER RIVER CRAY !Join FRIENDS OF THE CRAY AT CRAYFORD on FRIDAY 2nd May
to tackle litter along the banks of the lower Cray,
Meet 10 a.m. at the junction of Footpath 106 and Barnes Cray Road (see graphic below).
The plan is to go downriver along By-way 105 this week before the undergrowth gets too dense.
All welcome, no particular skills needed.
Equipment will be provided. Wear appropriate clothing for being out in the open and avoiding stings from Nettles and scratches from Brambles, and bring something to drink.
Best wishes
Sarah
CROSSNESS LATEST - PROTECTED AREA WILL REMAIN CLOSED OVER EASTER WEEKENDA brief update to advise that the Protected Area will remain closed over the Easter period - really sorry about this. As hard as we've tried, we can't get a new locking mechanism on the gate before next week, so it is currently padlocked shut so as to not leave us vulnerable over Easter.
I am taking advantage of the upcoming bank holidays to squeeze in some annual leave, so you will not get a notification from me about re-opening, however please assume that the Protected Area is likely to be re-opened by the following weekend.
Karen Sutton
Crossness Nature Reserve Manager
Free webinar on improving Bee 'hotel' design with Prof Dave Gouslon.Tuesday, April 22 · 1 - 2pm
Improving Bee Hotel Design: The Big Bee Hotel Experiment
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Join Prof Dave Gouslon to hear about how the Buzz Club are investigating the effectiveness of different bee hotels for UK bees.
Category Archives: Bees
Planting wildflower seed
Advice from Gill Watson from Landlife Wildflowers Gill demonstrates the very best way to sow your wild flower seed in this ‘how to’ YouTube video. A Question & Answer session follows the demonstration.
Posted in Bees, Butterflies, vegetation management
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Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) confirmed in Bexley – King George’s Rec., Lamorbey, Burnt Oak Lane
The Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae), identified as a new species as recently as 1993, and new to Britain in 2001 – initially in Dorset and Devon – was found in three locations around Sidcup on October 9th by Chris Rose. … Continue reading
Old Farm Park wildlife photos
John Adams from the group campaigning to stop Bexley Council selling of half of Old Farm Park in Sidcup for housing has provided us with these photographs of wildlife from the site, three of which remind us of the value … Continue reading
Professor to give ‘Saving Bumblebees’ talk
The Ruxley Beekeepers group has lined up Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology at Sussex University, to give a talk on ‘SAVING OUR BUMBLEBEES’ in Orpington on 12th September. Professor Goulson founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and has published a number of best selling … Continue reading
Woodlands Farm summer wildlife events announced
Woodlands Farm on Shooter’s Hill is running a number of wildlife survey events this summer. Ffi/to get involved please contact: “Hannah Forshaw – Education Officer” <education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org> Sunday 7th June – Pollinator survey. This will be done before, during and … Continue reading
Rare Shrill Carder Bee continues to covet Crossness
Hot news from Crossness Nature Reserve Site manager Karen Sutton, who reports that the rare ‘poster species’ of ‘Thames Gateway’/brownfield sites, the Shrill Carder bee, has once again been found at the site. This is why every opportunity should be … Continue reading
Posted in Bees, Crossness Nature Reserve
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Bee aware of Hairy-legged Miners and Barnehurst Beewolfs
Ever wondered about those hundreds of little piles of sand that appear along the Erith Road margin of Bursted Woods, by the bus stop, every summer? Well, they’re back once again, and they’re the uncommon London species Hairy-legged Mining Bee … Continue reading
Posted in Bees, Bursted Woods
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Bexley flight of the (Tree) Bumblebee sets Beekeepers’ phones buzzing
David Rea, Chairman, Sidcup Beekeepers. The second half of May 2014 has seen a spectacular explosion of activity by the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) in southern England. This strikingly pretty bee is common in Europe but is a new arrival … Continue reading
Posted in Bees, Invertebrates
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Bumblebees out early
David Rea of Ruxley Beekeepers reports that he and a colleague were called to a primary school where a colony of buff tail bumbles is in full operation, in a flower bed right in the middle of the reception class playground. … Continue reading
Posted in Bees
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