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CROSSNESS NATURE RESERVE WORKS AND FUNDRAISER (tickets still available)From Site Manager, Karen Sutton.
Contractor activity over the next couple of weeks:
I wanted to make you aware that there is work going on this week on both Crossness sites, but access remains open as usual.
28/10 saw the start of remedial work on the Crossness Southern Marsh to assist (non-public) safe access across the fields, so you will see work going on in the distance, but nothing impeding access. And 29/10 sees the start of a phased fencing project beginning with replacement of fencing in the grazing paddocks at the east of
the reserve. There are a further two fencing projects to come later, involving fence replacement down Public Footpath 2 as it runs from the Protected Area south to Eastern Way, and then a more extensive replacement project in the paddocks on Crossness Southern Marsh.
Fundraiser this Saturday (2/11):
I look forward to seeing those of you that are attending the Save Crossness Nature Reserve (SCNR) fundraiser this Saturday at Lesnes Abbey Lodge.
**** Three tickets left as of 31/10 if you'd like to come along to hear the Wild Bexley presentation by Ralph and Brenda Todd (founder of Bexley RSPB); a presentation from me about what Crossness Nature Reserve special, and from Laurence Pinturault from the SCNR campaign about the threat from Cory and the public inquiry process (hearings begin next week) and ultimately the reason the group is raising funds and running this event. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets, JD Swann's signed Best Beaks, and to purchase some wildlife-themed items (including artwork from the artist that created the RSPB logo) and non-wildlife items that are collectable and/or would make great Christmas presents. All monies raised help SCNR fight the development threat.
Buy your tickets here and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday: Wild Bexley at Lesnes Abbey Lodge event tickets from
TicketSource
<https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/scnr/wild-bexley/e-bvjgkq>
BBC launch 'Your Voice, Your BBC News'
The BBC has launched 'Your Voice, Your BBC News' asking for people to suggest issues that they'd like to see the BBC reporting on. This was brought to my attention by a member who has taken the opportunity to submit something on the Cory threat to Crossness Nature Reserve, and suggested that others might like to do the same in an effort to get a bit of news coverage about the issue. If this sounds of interest, please see details here: Your Voice, Your BBC News: Tell us what issues matter to
you - BBC news:
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0z0y2z3mjo>
THAMES21 VOLUNTEERS DONATE WELL OVER 400 HOURS OF TIME FOR BEXLEY COUNClL-OWNED THAMES ROAD WETLAND IN THE LAST SIX MONTHSThe numbers have now been added up for our accounting period of 1st April to 30th September 2024.
The Site Manager and two other regular volunteers put in 293 hours at the site, with 23 other people contributing a total of a further 102 hours. In addition, the Site Manager put in almost 48 hours of admin time on planning, writing reports, managing the site photograph collection, research and social media work/event promotion.
Whilst this is down on the 563h 49m for 1/10/23-31/3/24, it is significantly higher than for previous corresponding period of 1/4/2023-30/9/2023 when it was 213h 3m. We usually do less work in the summer period, but this year have been battling to push back stands of Reed, which left to their own devices will reduce the diversity of species at the site, as well as speed up its drying out. This has meant continued cutting, taking care to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
I thank everyone who has helped during the last 6 months, whether once, a few times or (semi-)regularly. It all helps, both with the practical work and with Thames21 funding bids.
We're already given just over 100 hours for October, but more assistance is always welcome given the amount of work that needs to be done over the winter. To book for our next staff-supported event on November 8th, when we will have a van full of equipment and are therefore able to cater for more attendees, please go to:
book.plinth.org.uk/e/jyHfDWO68FBjh72gDdBv
A few of us are also at the wetland most other Fridays. Check with "Ray Hudson" <rayhudson28@gmail.com> as providing sufficient tools can be an issue given that we have no nearby/on-site storage.
Chris Rose.
Volunteer Site Manager.
Free indoor monthly eco-market. Saturday November 2nd.11.00-15.00
Freemantle Hall, 51-75 Bexley High Street, Bexley Village DA5 1AA
Run by tghe not-for-profit Wasteless Market company. Shop from a range of eco-friendly makers and suppliers.
Ecofriendly household cleaning and bodycare products. Refill station so you can cut plastic consumption by re-using your own containers.
We will also be running our recycling for charity collection, taking materials not collected by Bexley Council, which are then sold to raise funds for good causes. See wastelessmarket.com/recycling for details of what we can accept for recycling, and the charities we support.
Join in with our toy, book and plant swaps.
Our website also provides details of our other re-fills and recycling collection events in Bexley.
wastelessmarket.com
CHARITABLE RECYCLING STATION Our Recycling Station is a drop off point for your hard to recycle items. We're diverting waste away from the incinerator and raising money for charity Recycling for chari...
Join Bexley RSPB for a fungi walk at Down House in nearby Orpington. Non-members welcome. Limit on numbers. Advance booking essential.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.
FRIENDS OF THE CRAY AT CRAYFORD are back in action on Friday 1st November.They are looking at removing fly-tipping at the junction of By-way 105 and Maiden Lane, if the council can take it away quickly and/or removing litter along the river. If not tackled, some of the litter will get washed into the river as water levels rise due to winter rain, and then it'll be off into the Thames and North Sea.
Meet 10 am, corner of Barnes Cray Road and Footpath 106 (see graphic attached).
All welcome, no particular skills needed.
Equipment provided. Wear appropriate clothing for being out in the open, avoiding scratches and stings from Brambles and Nettles, and bring something to drink.
Best wishes
Sarah
Tag Archives: Foots Cray Meadows
RSPB Bexley Group Walk – Foots Cray Meadows, Thursday 26th September 2019
Good turnout of members enjoy 32 species of birds at Foots Cray Meadows, including a top quality view of a pair of Kestrels. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows, RSPB
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Brenda Todd, Foots Cray Meadows, Kestrels, Ralph Todd
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Bexley RSPB walk report – Foots Cray Meadows – Upper College Farm – Five Arches, Tuesday 20th March 2018
Kingfisher, Skylark and an unusual concentration of Jays were highlights of this post-snow walk to the west of Bexley village. Full report from Ralph and Brenda Todd: Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Uncategorized
Tagged Foots Cray Meadows, Jay, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Skylark, Upper College Farm
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Dragonfly and damselfly survey events in Bexley – no previous experience needed to get involved!
As part of its Water for Wildlife programme, London Wildlife Trust is surveying a number of sites from July into September 2017 to record Dragonfly and Damselfly species and numbers . No particular prior knowledge is required to join in. … Continue reading
Bexley RSPB walk at Foots Cray Meadows, April 25th – report
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on a chilly April bird walk at Foots Cray Meadows. Download the PDF file .
Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows
Tagged Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Five Arches, Foots Cray Meadows, River Cray, Swallow
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Updated CHECKLIST AND ACCOUNT OF THE ODONATA (DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES) OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY (6th edition) published
This updated guide to the 19 species of Dragonflies and Damselflies of the London Borough of Bexley, compiled by Chris Rose with additional records and photographs from Ralph Todd, Ian Stewart, Karen Sutton, Martin Petchey and Wren Rose, provides information … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Danson Park, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Recording, River Cray, River Shuttle, Thames Road Wetland
Tagged Chalcolestes viridis, Crossness, Damselflies, Danson Park, Dragonflies, Dragonflies and damselflies of Bexley, Foots Cray Meadows, Lamorbey lake, London Borough of Bexley, Odonata, Odonata of Bexley, River Cray, River Shuttle, Thames Road Wetland, Willow Emerald Damselfly
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Bexley RSPB Foots Cray Meadows 6th December bird walk – report
Ralph and Brenda Todd report on the 6th December Bexley RSPB bird walk at Foots Cray Meadows, which attracted several members new to the group’s outdoor meetings. 28 species were seen including Little Egret, Kingfisher and Gadwall. Download the PDF … Continue reading
Male and female Willow Emerald at Foots Cray Meadows
Despite the overcast and breezy conditions, both a male and a female Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) were seen at Foots Cray Meadows on 27th September by Chris Rose and Wren Rose. These are the second and third sightings in … Continue reading