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May Bexley RSPB events that still have places available.This content isn't available at the moment
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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: Cray Riverkeepers
Thames21 River Cray Project announces forthcoming events
Michael Heath, River Cray Project Officer for Thames21, has published the following series of events. To get involved or for more information, contact him at michael.heath@thames21.org.uk or ph: 07968 805751. Events during March Thursday 5th March 2015 Assessment and repairs to the damaged … Continue reading
The River Cray project helps deliver Thames foreshore clean-up
Last week’s event at Erith (Feb 19th) in support of the Thames River watch Big Count clean-up was a great success for the Cray project thanks to all those attending and the team from the Erith Depot of Select Plant … Continue reading
The River Cray is not for scrap – it’s our nature!
Cray Project Officer Michael Heath reports on last week’s (Fri. 13th) removal of car parts from the river just below Crayford town centre, following a second major fly-tipping incident: It was wonderful to be joined by old faces (returning volunteers) … Continue reading
Posted in Cray Riverkeepers, Environment, Fly-tipping, River Cray, Rivers, Volunteering
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From white snow to snow white at Footscray
The Thames21 Cray Riverkeepers team had a well-attended review of the past year and planning ahead meeting at Kelsey’s farm cafe on February 3rd. The day started off with snow on the ground, but by the time the event ended … Continue reading
Eighteen enjoy Hall Place/Crayford Rough bird walk in sunny interlude
RSPB Bexley Local Group Walk – Hall Place South and Crayford Rough Tuesday 13th January 2014 – Leaders Ralph and Brenda Todd Ninety minutes before our walk began the skies were thick grey and heavy rain had just ceased, within … Continue reading
Cray crew tackle mini madness and sofa shame
The six Cray Riverkeepers out on Tuesday (October 21st), led by Michael Heath, were confronted by the horrendous sight of a large section of cut-up mini sat on the riverbed along footpath 106, and a sofa trapped in a large … Continue reading
Posted in Cray Riverkeepers, Crayford, River Cray, Rivers, Thames21, Volunteering
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Michael Heath starts Cray Project blog
Cray Project Officer Michael Heath has started a blog about the Cray River-keeper team’s work. The blog is hosted on the website of Thames21, the organisation he is employed by to help manage the volunteer effort to clean up the … Continue reading
Posted in Cray Riverkeepers, River Cray, Thames21, Volunteering
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Cray team tackles multiplicity of tasks, looks for Oct 2nd volunteers
Michael Heath writes: This last week had the team of regular Volunteer River Keepers on the Lower Cray at the Thames21 yard, sorting out the kit in the van, which was woefully untidy (even to by my standards), following a … Continue reading
Cray project maintains momentum as sun shines
Michael Heath writes: The river Cray project continued to bask in the autumn sunshine this week with two clean up events for the lower Cray on Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th September. They involved a number of officer workers enjoying … Continue reading
Cray Riverkeeper team deliver 14.5 hours of litter removal and habitat management
Five volunteer Thames21 Riverkeepers spent a total of nine person-hours today (29th August) removing 4 sacks of recyclable rubbish, and 9 sacks of non-recyclable material from the banks of the River Cray along Footpath 106, downstream of Crayford town centre … Continue reading