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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: vegetation management
First chilly snap brings Snipe to Thames Road Wetland
Although I didn’t get out til gone 10.30 this morning (January 1st), there was a chill in the air that hasn’t featured so far this ‘winter’. On the way to Thames Road Wetland for a solo work session, a Song … Continue reading
Ruxley workparty opens up wet areas
Although Sunday 5th December turned out unseasonably warm the volunteer numbers were slightly down. We divided into two parties working from different sides of the nature reserve, pushing back brambles and buddleia to open up the wet areas. The plan is to meet … Continue reading
Braeburn Park (LWT reserve): report of November 13th workday
Seven volunteers faced a massive task, heavy showers and sunny spells and a huge 50′ x 4′ high pile of brush to burn through; as well as opening up of the south facing sloping banks, to allow in good sunlight … Continue reading
Carry on coppicing – Ruxley team thins out Willows
Remembrance Sunday turned out to be a good day for the working party at Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. The water levels were unexpectedly low despite some heavy rains during the week. The nine volunteers got stuck into hacking back the saplings which … Continue reading
Crayford Academy pupils get stuck into Thames Road Wetland management work
Sixth-formers from the nearby Crayford Haberdashers Aske’s Academy helped with key winter tasks at Thames Road Wetland on the afternoons of 7th October and 11th November, getting most of the required Reedmace-pulling done in double-quick time and also cutting back … Continue reading
Crossness Reedbed Work Party 11th November
Dear Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, Attached is a picture of my two faithful volunteers, Reg and Roger, sitting down. Yes, sitting down! Mid-task!! This has never happened before!!! They have been incredibly busy cutting reeds around the wader … Continue reading
Braeburn Park (London Wildlife Trust reserve) update and workdays
Work continues at the excellent new London Wildlife Trust reserve at Braeburn Park, 5 minutes up the road from Crayford railway station, and opposite Hall Place, on the south side of the railway line. http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/braeburn-park Reserve manager Shaun Marriott writes: … Continue reading
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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Ruxley working group numbers grow – 14 help at September 27th event
Sunday 27th of September saw a glorious Indian summer day for the Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve [RGPNR] working party crew. Participation had increased to 14 people, who got stuck into the season’s regrowth of plants that would gradually shade or … Continue reading
New grounds maintenance contract process raises yet more doubts over Council’s ability to take biodiversity duty seriously
As a new contract for grounds maintenance went out to tender, we have discovered that the Trees and Nature Conservation Manager in the Parks and Open Spaces section ‘was never part of this process’ . Nor has there been any prior consultation with … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Budget, vegetation management, Volunteering
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