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Can Green Roofs Function as True Ecosystems? FREE ONLINE EVENTWednesday, November 25 • 1 PM - 2 PM GMT
Eva Drukker (Wageningen University) explores the ecology of green roofs. Can they operate as functional ecosystems?
Green roofs, exposed to wind, heat, and drought, might seem like unlikely places for ecological development. But can they become self-sustaining ecosystems? How do they interact with the surrounding flora and fauna? How quickly do they develop, and which insects choose to live there? Crucially, which design choices make these elevated habitats most supportive for biodiversity?
Can Green Roofs Function as True Ecosystems?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Eva Drukker (Wageningen University) explores the ecology of green roofs. Can they operate as functional ecosystems?
THAMES ROAD WETLAND, INNER CRAYFORD MARSHES. NEXT STAFF SUPPORTED HABITAT MANAGEMENT SESSION IS FRIDAY 13th NOVEMBER 10.00-14.00.To book and ffi:
book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkzaAmCNTk2TC
Sam Dhedhi will be down with a van full of equipment to support a larger team of volunteers than we can accomodate at our volunteer-only events. These bigger teams are essential if we are to push back the Reedbeds and maintain habitat and thus species diversity while breeding birds such as Reed Warblers are off on their winter 'holiday' in Africa.
No particular skills required. All help welcome even if you can come only once. 40% of the person hours delivered in the last 12 months have been contributed by one-time-only helpers.
At our last staffed session on 16/10 we had nine volunteers - who gave nearly 39 person-hours of labour - and one staff member.
Fortunately the weather followed the forecast, with drizzle giving way to warm sunshine shortly after we started work.
Seven people, led by Ian, dug out another significant amount of Reed rootmat and silt from the 'north-west corner pool' and piled it on the new banking by the main path.
Three of us scythed and sheared Reed opposite the road run-off -trap ditch. Due to a mechanical problem with the brushcutter, and poor servicing back-up fron the manufacturer, we have been without it for the last 6 workdays and this patch has rather got away from us. Unfortunately, we had to do without it again on this occasion. as the person who looks after and transports it was injured and unable to bring it down. Fingers crossed we get some rain-free Fridays and can catch up once we can deploy it again.
After everyone else had left, two of us reduced the height of more of the Blackthorn sucker 'hedging' along the main path and 'weeded' the Bee Orchid strip to favour the Orchids, though there was no sign of any yet. Some of the Lizard basking sites which were
getting too shaded were opened up a bit now we're into more autumnal conditions.
Photos: Sam Dhedhi, Chris Rose.
Chris Rose, Volunteer Site Manager.
RARE BUMBLEBEE SEEN AT LESNESRare bumblebee recorded at historic London site - Bumblebee Conservation Trust
www.bumblebeeconservation.org
In an exciting moment for the capital city, a scarce bumblebee has been recorded at an historic London site this summer by a Bumblebee Conservation Trust volunteer.
NORTH WEST KENT COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP - RUXLEY GRAVEL PITS NATURE RESERVE HABITAT MANAGEMENT SESSIONS IN NOVEMBERWednesday 4th – Ruxley Gravel Pits, Edgington Way, Orpington, BR5 3HY
We will be doing path clearance.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 10am at the site. The gate must be kept locked, if there is no-one there to open it, please call Lucy’s mobile. DO NOT block the gate by parking in front of it while you wait! Follow the track and park underneath the A20. Plenty of parking. Portaloo available, but usually far from work site.
goo.gl/maps/S2NBZUfT2mTkbgX17
What3words:
Entrance: ///noises.sheet.reject
Parking: ///hopes.gender.gums
Thursday 5th – Ruxley Gravel Pits, Edgington Way, Orpington, BR5 3HY
We will be continuing to clear the path along with pollarding and coppicing the willow trees in the reed bed.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: as above.
goo.gl/maps/S2NBZUfT2mTkbgX17
What3words:
Entrance: ///noises.sheet.reject
Parking: ///hopes.gender.gums
Saturday 14th – Ruxley Gravel Pits, Edgington Way, Orpington, BR5 3HY
We will be continuing to pollard and coppicing the willow trees growing in the reed bed.
Please bring your own refreshments for this day.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: as above.
goo.gl/maps/S2NBZUfT2mTkbgX17
What3words:
Entrance: ///noises.sheet.reject
Parking: ///hopes.gender.gums
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.
51°24'41.7"N 0°07'10.5"E · 51.411583, 0.119583
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Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
DARTFORD HEATH - GUIDED WALK AND HEATHER SEED COLLECTION FOR HABITAT RESTORATIONWe are holding a Heather Seed Collection & Restoration Event on Dartford Heath on Tuesday 27th October, 13.30-17.00.
The event will include a guided walk to learn about Dartford Heath, the wildlife it supports, and the restoration work taking place on the site. We'll then collect heather seed from across the heath before sowing some into pots for growing on and we'll spread seed directly onto recently restored areas.
If you would like to attend, you can book your place here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/dartford-heath-heather-restoration-tickets-2003598820006
All the best,
Nina Skinner <Nina.Skinner@kent.gov.uk>
Partnership Officer | North West Kent Countryside Partnership
Dartford Heath Heather Restoration
www.eventbrite.com
Join us to help restore Dartford Heath! Collect heather seed and sow it into trays to grow future plants for heathland restoration.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Meadows Event at Hall Place Saturday 2nd July 2016
http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Meadows-day-2016-new.pdf
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Further revision of ‘Butterflies of Bexley’ published
With a growing interest in the butterflies of Bexley, and more people reporting observations, the extent of our knowledge about these species, and their distribution locally, is changing on a weekly basis. This revised version incorporates new information about the … Continue reading
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Tree planting marks tenth anniversary of Friends of Foots Cray Meadows
This year is the Tenth Anniversary of the Friends of Foots Cray Meadows. To celebrate this and link in with London Tree Week, ten mature trees have been planted between Rectory Lane and the Lime Avenue. As part of the London Tree … Continue reading
Danson Park sightings March April 2016
Recent records from the Park provided by John Turner. Danson Park 03/03/2016 23/3/16 4/5/4/16 13/4/16 26/04/16 a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. Great-crested Grebe 2 2 3 3 3 Little Grebe 2 1 2 2 Cormorant 1 1 1 1 Heron 1 2 … Continue reading
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Friends of the Shuttle AGM celebrates success
The first formal AGM of the Friends of the Shuttle on April 25th looked back on a very successful year of activity along the river, including both clean-ups and wildlife events, and the stepping up of activity at Danson Park, … Continue reading
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Now Bexley Council officer recommends building on 10% of Crayford Rough, a wildlife site of regional importance.
The onslaught against the most valuable wildlife sites in Bexley is set to continue this week as the planning committee meets on 14th April to consider an application to redevelop the old Electrobase industrial site between Hall Place and Crayford … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bexley Council, Biodiversity Action Plan, BNEF, Braeburn Park, Common Lizard, Consultations, Crayford, Crayford Rough, development threat, Environment, Open spaces, Planning, Plants in Bexley, Reptiles and Amphibians, SINC, Slow Worm, Uncategorized
Tagged BAP, Bee Orchid, Bexley Council, Bexley Council Core Strategy, Bexley Council planning committee, Bexley SINC review, Common Lizard, Crayford Rough, Crayford Strategy and Action Plan Bexley Council July 2005, London Plan, Metropolitan SINC, NPPF, Pyramidal Orchid, Slow Worm, Yellow Vetchling
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Cory ‘Environmental’ doesn’t believe its own propaganda
Cory ‘Environmental’, the company that has submitted to Bexley Council – in the name of its Belvedere incinerator arm – a plan for two four-storey buildings to cover most of the former Borax fields next to Crossness Nature Reserve, has not … Continue reading
Posted in Belvedere, Bexley Council, BNEF, Crossness Nature Reserve, development threat, Erith Marshes, Grass Snake, Mammals, Planning, Reptiles and Amphibians, Uncategorized
Tagged Belvedere incinerator, Bexley Council, Cory 'Environmental', Crossness Nature Reserve, ecological survey, Erith Marshes, Great Crested Newt, reptiles, Water Shrew
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Woodlands Farm starts Bee count programme
Woodlands Farm, straddling the Bexley / Greenwich border on Shooters Hill, has signed up to take part in the Bumblebee Conservation Trust bee walk project this year. This will involve doing a walk round the farm once a month on a set route … Continue reading
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‘Bexley Wildlife’ welcomes 500th Facebook page ‘like’
‘Bexley Wildlife’ website’s sister Facebook page took two years to reach 400 ‘likes’, but in the last two months has accrued another 100 followers to reach a total of 501. Jonathan Rooks, co-founder of the ‘Bexley Wildlife’ web platforms said … Continue reading
Quicker objection to Crossness Borax fields plan – download this letter and add personal comments at bottom ….
If you haven’t got round to joining the more than 200 people who have already made out an objection to Cory ‘Environmental’s’ plan (they’re the incinerator people) to destroy the only nesting habitat on Erith Marshes for red-listed Skylark, which … Continue reading
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