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NEXT THAMES ROAD WETLAND HABITAT MANAGEMENT SESSION 16th OCTOBER, WITH THAMES21, plus UPDATEJoin us at this staff-supported event where we will have a van full of kit to equip new / less frequent volunteers. Book here: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkzaAmCNTk2TC
Due to a mechanical fault with our brushcutter (which, after being sent round the houses, had to be taken to Letchworth (!) for repair), we are somewhat behind, so could do with a good turnout in order to catch up with Reed cutting and removal. For the more energetic, there is plenty more Reed rootmat/silt to dig out too.
Thomas Turrell, Conservative Greater London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, joined us unannounced at our 11/9 staffed event, and threw himself into helping clear out the road run-off trap and then Reed cutting along with 7 other volunteers. He confessed that he hadn't realised that we had Lizards in this country, but had taken an interest in one when abroad on holiday. I was pleased to show him a few of the 'locals', and he skillfully spotted a well-camouflaged individual himself. He has since been very helpful in getting Bexley Council to finally do something about the fly-tipping and arson attacks that have been going on up by the railway since mid July. Despite it being council land it has done nothing since we reported the matter on 17/7 and I still don't know why, or whether it has taken or intends to take any investigative action to identify the culprits. If it had bothered to put cameras out it may well have got them by now.
13 Lizards were seen on 11/9. There was a black and red Firebug, Hairy Shieldbugs on an old Burdock flower head and a Southern Green Shieldbug nymph.
A couple of Cetti's Warblers and a Water Rail were heard on 25/9. Migrant Hawkers and Darters were still about. A Thorn Apple plant that had come up in a pile of soil dumped by the entrance steps had opened a flower. There was a second flush of flowers on the small patch of Square-stemmed St. John's-wort at the west end.
2/10 saw a Kestrel hovering over the site and dropping down out of sight, while a Grey Heron flew over. A few Lizards were seen. There was a mating pair of Willow Emerald Damselflies.
Thanks to staff member Sam Dhedhi for photos.
CHRIS ROSE, VOLUNTEER SITE MANAGER
www.facebook.com/NWKCountryside/posts/pfbid0sQkBtXveV7AgCUDD3D6vgSM8J4vKs1isxaPLMieGFprt6NZKFYsm2...Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. Upcoming habitat management sessions at this normally inaccessible (to the puloic) site that straddles the Bexley/Bromley border .............
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Slowing the flow - OXLEAS WOODS. With Thames21. Reducing run-off rates on Shooters Hill and making biodiversity improvements.Just over the border in Greenwich, so may be of interest to 'BW' followers.
15 events involving the construction of leaky dams to hold back water, and dead hedges in eroded areas to protect and encourage the recovery of the woodland understory.
29th and 30th Sept fully booked. You can opt to join a waiting list.
Places available at further events from Thursday 1st Oct through to 25th of March.
Led by Charlie Southard.
Advance booking essential (planning / event management / safety / sufficient equipment):
book.plinth.org.uk/e/9TPs7t51MkYdlQFqEbKm
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Slowing the Flow: Oxleas Woods
book.plinth.org.uk
<p><strong>Join us to turn Oxleas Woods into a flood-fighting, biodiversity-boosting powerhouse!</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This winter, join us for 15 fun and hands-on volunteer events as we transform...
Climate Change Film. LESNES ABBEY RUINS LODGE. Weds November 11th 19.00-20.30After the drought and prolonged heat waves this year, the woods and all of us are grateful that we have had some rain.
Whether you believe that Climate Change is caused by human beings or just a natural phenomenon, one fact is undeniable - the planet is getting warmer.
We will be showing a film produced by the National Emergency Briefing that explains what is happening and what we can do to minimise its impact.
Tickets are Free and can be booked here. Note that it is not recommended for those under 16 but has a BBFC rating of 12+. Any children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
www.ticketsource.com/folaw/
NORTH WEST KENT COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP - habitat management sessions in Bexley during October.Wednesday 7th – Gattons Plantation Pond, Cocksure Lane, Sidcup
We will be clearing bramble and laurel and cutting down small trees around the pond along with removing non native snowberry plants that are growing along Cocksure Lane. Brushcutter operators maybe required for this task.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site. There is a small bay/passing area before the entrance gate to the site in which a few cars can park otherwise parking may need to be found along Cocksure Lane and other residential roads nearby.
maps.app.goo.gl/KLsPeRMYW2pJGgfn6
What3words parking spot: ///liver.blues.worked
What3words entrance: ///jump.cheek.wicked
Wednesday 28th – St Mary’s Churchyard, Manor Road, Bexley, DA5 3LX
We will be cutting the grass on site and raking. Brushcutter operators will be needed.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 10am, at the churchyard (black gates at end of Manor Road). There is limited parking on site but parking usually ok in hall car park next door. There are no facilities on site but the toilet at the hall next door is often available.
goo.gl/maps/2Czb3X9qMs6KcPLg9
What3words: Meeting point = ///sheep.buzz.codes
Entrance gate = ///sushi.mole.washed
Just a quick reminder that any volunteers who plan to meet us on site should let the member of staff leading the task know as soon as possible so that they can pack the correct number of tools and inform them of any task changes/delays that may occur.
If there are any updates or changes with the programme, we will update it regularly on the volunteer page on our website (www.nwkcp.org ). We will also contact the regular volunteers by phone if any last-minute changes to the location of the task happen.
Please remember to bring with you; suitable clothes for the weather conditions, a packed lunch and suitable footwear (we insist working boots with steel toecap and mid sole are worn at all times to comply with health and safety and insurance considerations). We will supply all other equipment, gloves and safety equipment and also hot drinks and biscuits throughout the day.
Each project will be led by a NWKCP member of staff who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have throughout the day. A health and safety talk will also be given at the beginning of each project. If you are planning to come out on a project for the first time this month then please let us know beforehand which day that will be.
We write a risk assessment for each task day, and a copy of this will be brought to the site and available for you to read if you wish.
Category Archives: Bird watching
Save our Skylarks! More than 50 protest at Cory plan to kick birds in conservation danger off Erith marshes and out of Bexley
Forty-six adults and eight children turned out for today’s ‘Save our Skylarks’ demonstration at Erith marshes, organised by members of Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, at which our new campaign banner was unveiled and kites were flown with cut-out Skylarks … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Demonstration, development threat, Erith Marshes, Planning
Tagged Bexley Council, Cory 'Environmental', Crossness Nature Reserve, demo, Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, Little-ringed Plover, planning policy, protest, Ringed Plover, Skylark
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Short-eared Owl lands in Bexleyheath garden – pictures
RSPB Bexley members Richard and Jill Keene couldn’t believe their eyes when a large owl flew into their Bexleyheath garden at 9.50 Saturday (26th) morning and eventually settled against the trunk of a small pine tree. They quickly identified it as a short-eared … Continue reading
Posted in Bexleyheath, Bird watching, Gardens
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One Swallow doesn’t a summer make …. but Bexley’s first for year seen over Thames Road Wetland
The first Swallow of the year in Bexley was seen over Thames Road Wetland at 17.47 yesterday (March 23rd), flying west low over the site as I happened to look up whilst taking some general panoramic photos. British Swallows winter … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Migration, Ring-necked Parakeet, River Cray, River Wansunt, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Bexley, Cetti's Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Swallow
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Ralph visits gym to confirm Crayford Little Egret roost
Ralph Todd, well-known for his study of local birds, has been wondering where the Little Egrets seen in the Borough roost for the night. A few years ago former Cray Riverkeeper Ashe Hurst had mentioned the trees downstream of Crayford … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Crayford, River Cray, River Wansunt
Tagged Crayford, Little Egret roost, Ralph Todd
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Danson Park February 2016 sightings
Sightings from John Turner. We are always pleased to receive bird reports. http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Danson-Park-sightings-Feb-2016.pdf
Posted in Bird watching, Danson Park
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Marsh Harrier seen over Thames Road Wetland as Peregrine perches on nearby pylon
The Marsh Harrier, once extremely rare in the UK, has made something of a comeback. Following a report of a female in the area on March 10th by Ian Stewart, I also saw a female fly low over the site … Continue reading
Circling Buzzard is highlight of Thames Road Wetland visit
A Buzzard seen very high over Stanham Farm as I walked along RiverCray By-way 105 towards Thames Road Wetland, was the avian highlight of a visit to the site yesterday afternoon (March 3rd). After slowly circling for a while, and … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21
Tagged Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Common Lizard, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21, Water Rail
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Skylark and Corn Bunting spotlight – species in serious UK decline are now under threat in Bexley
Skylarks and Corn Buntings are both farmland bird species of the highest UK conservation concern due to major declines in recent decades. Current planning applications in Bexley threaten to make this worse. According to the RSPB the Skylark population halved during … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Crayford Marshes, Crossness, development threat
Tagged Corn Bunting, Ecology Solutions, London Wildlife Trust, railfreight, red-listed, Roxhill, Skylark
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Buzzards and Red Kites
With both Buzzards and Red Kites having been seen around the Hall Place area in the last few days, Joe Johnson describes the differences. http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Species-spotlight-Common-buzzard-red-kite-Joe-J.pdf Species spotlight – Common buzzard & red kite Joe
Posted in Bird watching, Hall Place
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Bird reports Danson Park, January 2016.
Latest report from our regular contributor, John Turner. 01/06/2016 15/01/16 20/01/16 28/01/16 a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. sunny Great-crested Grebe 3 1 3 2 Little Grebe 1 2 2 Cormorant 8 9 6 5 Heron 3 3 3 2 Mute Swan … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Danson Park
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