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Recent Posts
- Help check river pollution with the Cray/Shuttle Outflow Safari
- Bexley RSPB Group Walk: Crossness Nature Reserve, Tuesday 31st May 2022
- Bexley RSPB – report of March bird/nature walk, Southmere Lake, Thamesmead former Golf Course and Thames Foreshore
- Report of Bexley RSPB KWT Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Bough Beech Reservoir walks, February 15th.
- Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve bird walk report, 22nd November 2021
Our Facebook Posts
2 days ago
This free webinar will explore the potential benefits and limitations of passive acoustic monitoring versus site surveys by field surveyors.Tuesday, September 17 · 10:30am - 12pm GMT+1
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Can Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Birds Replace Site Surveys?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
This free webinar will explore the potential benefits and limitations of passive acoustic monitoring versus site surveys by field surveyors.5 days ago
If you fancy getting involved with some hands-on wildlife conservation work, Lesnes Abbey Woods is one of the few places in the Borough where you can currently do so ....... ... See MoreSee LessThis content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.2 weeks ago
Can you help check a Mink monitoring raft at Crossness?Following the enormously successful Mink eradication programme in East Anglia, which has subsequently seen the return of the Water Vole to their waterways, we hope to work with the Waterlife Recovery Trust to monitor and - if present - control the non-native, invasive American Mink, for the benefit of our Water Voles and wetland birds.
Mink are voracious hunters (see the image on the penultimate page of The Times article below for just how fierce they are!) that can decimate entire Water Vole populations. They also predate burrow-dwelling bird species such as the Kingfisher, as well as ground-nesting birds (one was reported with a Lapwing chick in its mouth
earlier this year). This week’s BBC article shows a shocking image of a Grey Heron in the grips of a Mink! How Cambridge University DNA analysis is helping eradicate mink - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k4xd5zy26o
With the success of the East Anglia programme and its extension to the north of the Thames to Lincolnshire, the Trust is extending the project to South London and we would like to be a part of it.
Water Vole risk extinction all the while Mink are present, and numerous UK counties have lost their entire populations. Some of you may remember that a Mink was spotted at Crossness a few years ago and we know that they are present in numbers not too
far away in Darenth, so we welcome this project and are looking for volunteers to get involved.
We will deploy a floating raft mink trap within the Protected Area of the Crossness Nature Reserve. It is essentially a smart trap with a remote device that can alert, via your phone, when the trap has gone off. We are looking for a few volunteers willing to check the trap when tripped, and either release non-target species in
case water vole or wetland birds enter, or contacting the relevant personnel if a Mink is trapped.
Please let me know if you would be willing to get involved in the reversal of Water Vole decline.
Thank you.
Karen Sutton
Crossness Nature Reserve Manager
07747 643958
karen.sutton@thameswater.co.uk
Crossness Nature Reserve, Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, Bazalgette Way, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9AQ ... See MoreSee Less
How Cambridge University DNA analysis is helping eradicate mink
www.bbc.co.uk
Water vole numbers are bouncing back after the prolific predator was eradicated from East Anglia.2 weeks ago
Bexley RSPB's Autumn / Winter programme is nearly ready to be published, but ahead of this here is the list of its September - October events.Non-members welcome.
For more info on each event and details of how to book (note that advance booking is also required for the local bird walks) see:
group.rspb.org.uk/bexley/news-blogs/blog/upcoming-events-september-december-2023/
Thursday 12 September 2024 - Southmere Lake and Thamesmead Golf course/River Thames
Friday 13 September 2024 (Indoor Meeting)
Ralph and Brenda Todd - “Where Yeehaa meet Ole”
Thursday 19 September 2024 - Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Centre, Billericay, Essex
Sunday 22 September 2024 - RSPB Minsmere (coach trip)
Tuesday 24 September 2024- Hall Place Gardens and Meadows Nature Walk.
Thursday 3 October 2024 - Pegwell Bay Country Park,
Friday 11 October 2024 (Indoor Meeting)
Denis Bohm - Wild Herzegovina
Thursday 17 October 2024 – Danson Park
Sunday 20 October 2024 - Abberton Reservoir & Fingringhoe Wick – Essex Wildlife Trust (coach trip)also ... See MoreSee Less
Events September - October 2024 - Bexley Local Group
group.rspb.org.uk
To book a place on one of our (free) guided walks/car trips please email Ralph Todd (rbtodd@btinternet.com) To book a place on one of our coach trips please contact Deborah Howard (deborahfrances@aol....2 weeks ago
BRAEBURN PARK (London Wildlife Trust), CRAYFORD. A large site on the other side of the railway line to Hall Place.**Work sessions every Thursday - next one 22nd August. New helpers welcome.
A variety of tasks are undertaken depending on priorities at the time. Path management and targeted habitat work often feature.
At the moment there is a lot of non-native Goat's-rue to remove.
Meet 10a.m. at the compound by the industrial estate off the old Rochester Way ( w3w.co/noises/jazz/ranks ).
The team usually finishes at 3p.m., but you can come and go as you please.
Trained leaders and first aiders will be present. No experience required. Equipment provided. Wear suitable work clothes and sturdy footwear. Tea/coffee and biscuits supplied. Bring any other food and drink you may require.
Contact Simon Hawkins <shawkins@wildlondon.org.uk> in advance for more details, to let him know when you're likely to arrive if not by 10 a.m. and so you can be informed in the event of cancellation.
www.facebook.com/groups/241434366655333/posts/1654908705307885/ ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.Recent Comments
- Bursted Wood Plans on Bursted Woods – some general views and ground flora photos, spring 2018
- Bursted Wood Plans on Bursted Woods – some general views and ground flora photos, spring 2018
- jonathanrooks1@outlook.com on Over 2,000 Ring-necked Parakeets at Danson roost again
- Jeanne on Over 2,000 Ring-necked Parakeets at Danson roost again
- jonathanrooks1@outlook.com on Tree Preservation Order – Bexley Street Index
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House Martins still at home on Shearwood Crescent
The House Martin colony nesting on properties along Shearwood Crescent, Crayford, next to Perry Street Farm and Stoneham Park, has at least 9 nests this year, of which 3 were in definite use when I had a quick look when passing by on 13th July. Two are under roof overhangs on two-storey buildings and seven are on three-storey ones.
![Shearwood Crescent, Crayford. Hose Martins nest on the two and three-storey buildings in the middle distance. (Photo: Chris Rose)](http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG-20160713-01179-300x225.jpg)
Shearwood Crescent, Crayford. House Martins continue to nest on the two and three-storey buildings in the middle distance. (Photo: Chris Rose)
![This building has three House Martin nests on it, in somewhat more vulnerable locations than the others, so it is good to see that they are being welcomed by the residents. (Photo: Chris Rose)](http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG-20160713-01178-300x225.jpg)
This building right next to the park has three House Martin nests on it, in somewhat more vulnerable locations than the others, so it is good to see that they are being welcomed by the residents. (Photo: Chris Rose)
If you wish to experience House Martins flying around you at head height, then go and stand in the park late on a sunny afternoon.
The species is now amber-listed nationally due to a decline in numbers. The London Bird Report for 2014 records 200 actual or probable breeding efforts at 41 sites in the whole of London. More accurate data will emerge from the ongoing British Trust for Ornithology survey, but the species is thought to be in decline in the capital too.
Other known breeding sites in Bexley are in the Slade Green/Crayford Marshes area and at Chandlers Drive in Erith. We would be interested to hear about any others, and from anyone who lives or visits friends or relatives at the latter site, as it is some time since any counts were done here and previously there was evidence of destruction of nests by residents.
Chris Rose
Posted in Bird watching
Tagged amber-listed, Crayford, decline, House Martin, Perry Street Farm, Shearwood Crescent, Stoneham Park
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Another important Bexley Wildlife site to be built on.
Disapointed but not surprised by Bexley’s Conservatives giving planning permission on yet another important wildlife site.
Below
- Ralph Todd’s verbal presentation.
- Visual presentation
they convinced me…
3. The letter sent to those of us who wrote to oppose the application.
Jonathan Rooks
Presentation Power Point click on the underlined words to view.
Braeburn Park (LWT) holds first public ‘open day’
London Wildlife Trust held a first public ‘open day’ at its Braeburn Park reserve in Crayford, on July 10th. The weather started off overcast but brightened up. Bexley Council’s new Mayor put in an appearance.
Bird walks took place, and Richard ‘Bug Man’ Jones was on hand to interest local children and adults alike in various invertebrates that they could look at under a microscope. There was face painting for kids, and the Crayford Manor House Astronomy Society’s stand proved popular with many attendees being able to view flares emanating from the surface of the sun through their special telescopes that ensure you don’t damage your eyes in the process.
![Braeburn Site Manager Shaun Marriott carries a couple of old stuffed Badgers to the Badger Group's stand. (Photo: Chris Rose)](http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG-20160710-01105-225x300.jpg)
Braeburn Site Manager Shaun Marriott carries a couple of old stuffed Badgers to the Badger Group’s stand. (Photo: Chris Rose)
Three new butterfly species for the site were added to the Bexley Borough checklist in the shape of Ringlet (which was very numerous), Small Heath and Purple Hairstreak. Green Hairstreak has been seen here before as an adult, but Richard Jones also found a caterpillar of the species.
I think 'cute' is a perfectly acceptable term to describe the green hairstreak caterpillar. pic.twitter.com/kxUCmj2K89
— Richard Jones (@bugmanjones) July 10, 2016
The ‘Bug Man’ also found an individual of the scarce fly Ogcodes pallipes, which is a parasitoid of spiders, and is a new site record. The larvae overwinter within a spider host and continue growing the following spring, only causing the host to die just before they emerge to pupate.
Ogcodes pallipes from @WildLondon Braeburn Park Open Day. Bizarre microcephalic humpback. Very strange. pic.twitter.com/VVUoGPEY8H
— Richard Jones (@bugmanjones) July 10, 2016
It is likely that further such events will be held in future, possibly more than once per year.
(Chris Rose)
Nest confirms continued Harvest Mouse presence at Thames Road Wetland
A Harvest Mouse nest was found at Thames Road Wetland on June 20th, whilst cutting vegetation to maintain access along the path on one of the ditch bunds. It was only a couple of inches above ground, and woven into grass leaves that were clearly of 2016 growth, which proves that it was made this year. Several nests of this, Britain’s smallest rodent, and a rarity in London, were found quite unexpectedly in 2014, but none were discovered last year, so it is a joy and a relief to secure confirmation that the species is still present.
In addition, a number of the feeding tubes baited with seed, located where most of the 2014 nests were found, and rigged to make it difficult for Wood Mice to get to them, continue to have their contents reduced to husks after every refill.
![The Mark II Harvest Mouse lure (foreground), to be baited with birdseed, is only supported by dead Reed stems, which should increase the chances that usage indicates continued presence of the species, compared with the Mark I version in the background, underslung on a bent over Willow branch, which may have been easier for Wood Mice to get into. (Photo: Chris Rose)](http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Two-HvM-lures-300x259.jpg)
The Mark II Harvest Mouse lure (foreground), baited with birdseed, is only supported by dead Reed stems, which should increase the chances that the usage observed indicates Harvest Mouse feeding compared with the Mark I version in the background, underslung on a bent over Willow branch, which may be easier for Wood Mice to get into. (Photo: Chris Rose)
A rainy morning having given way to a sunny afternoon, a number of basking Common Lizards were seen. A lot of mounded ant’s nests have appeared recently, including in the middle of the lizard basking tyres, which is somewhat unhelpful! A male Reed Bunting was calling. The small group of horses, which now has a young foal, were grazing on the east side of the Wansunt.
As befitted what was almost the longest day of the year, a pair of Swifts turned up late on and were still swooping low over the site at 21.52, when what looked like a male Stag beetle – which would be a new site record – was glimpsed flying in the gloom.
Chris Rose. Site Manager.
Posted in Harvest Mouse, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Common Lizard, Harvest Mouse, Reed Bunting, Swift, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21
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LWT announces Braeburn ‘open day’
The Braeburn Park Nature Reserve in Crayford, over the railway line from Hall Place, which is managed by London Wildlife Trust, will be holding an open day on Sunday 10th July. See poster below for details:
Posted in Braeburn Park, Crayford, London Wildlife Trust
Tagged Braeburn Park, Crayford, London Wildlife Trust
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Woodlands Farm wildlife surveys for rest of June and July
Here are the wildlife surveys the farm has coming up from now until the end of July:
Wed 15th June, 3pm – Survey of the wildlife pond
Wed 22nd June, 2.30pm – Bumblebee Walk
Thurs 30th June, 2pm – Meadow plants survey
Fri 1st July, time to be confirmed – Bat survey
Mon 18th July, time to be confirmed – bat Survey
Wed 20th July, 10.30am – Butterfly survey
Wed 27th July, 2pm – Bumblebee walk
Hopefully see you at some of these.
Hannah Ricketts, Education Officer, The Woodlands Farm Trust, 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, Kent. DA16 3RP
Tel: 0208 3198900
Website: http://www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
Posted in Recording, Woodlands Farm
Tagged Welling, wildlife surveys, Woodlands Farm
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