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Report of Bexley RSPB local bird walk at Danson Park, 20/3/25.www.facebook.com/RSPBbexleylocalgroup/posts/pfbid02N8skFyw1E1AG24FLB4KuE3aVbAzwTENtDMNYQWbPpZHAUA...
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RING OUZEL SPOTTED AT UPPER COLLEGE FARMThe Ring Ouzel is a declining, Red-listed, close relative of the Blackbird, which winters in North Africa, but breeds in the upland areas of Wales, Scotland and northern England. Individuals are very occasionally seen in our area, coming in or on their way back out.
Tim Rymer saw one at Upper College Farm, a former quarrying and landfill site between Old Bexley and Albany Park, on 22nd of March.
There are now large fenced off areas containing Japanese Wagyu cattle at low density, with a path down the middle between them and around the southern perimeter. It provides the sort of extensive grassland habitat where these birds can be found on passage.
UCF has hosted uncommon species in the past, notably a Little Bunting.
Other notable species found in the Borough recently include 2 Black Redstarts, 55 Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ yet-to-depart Redwings, Wheatear and returning Sand Martins at Crossness, and 50 Black-tailed Godwit at Erith.
Ring Ouzel Bird Facts | Turdus Torquatus
www.rspb.org.uk
Male ring ouzels are particularly distinctive with their black plumage with a pale wing panel and striking white breast band. Find out more
HELP CLEAN UP THE LOWER RIVER CRAY CORRIDOR !Join FRIENDS OF THE CRAY AT CRAYFORD on FRIDAY 4th APRIL
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).
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.
Photo from last month's session when the group was joined by Bexley Councillor Geraldene Lucia-Hennis
Best wishes
Sarah
THAMES ROAD WETLAND TEAM WELCOMES CHINESE STUDENTSWORK REPORT
Thames21 did its bit for international relations on a sunny 14th March when six Chinese students studying design at Goldsmith's College came down to help out. They have been taking an interest in water pollution issues.
A further nine volunteers turned out, giving a grand total of 15, who delivered 66 and a half person hours of work, mainly clearing all the previously cut and raked up Reed/fragmented debris/silt piles (as well as creating a few new ones).
Suckering shrubs were thinned out in an open area of the Thames Road bank, to benefit reptiles, which was also the objective behind brushcutting Bramble in the south-west corner,. Additional Bramble cutting by the railway will help conserve nice patches of Common Fleabane and Spearmint in a boggy area at the foot of the embankment.
Three of the 'domestic' attendees were new recruits, two of whom said they would come again.
Thanks are due to Thames21 staff member Michael O'Neill brought the van full of waders and other equipment.
Five volunteers were out on 21/3, when the brushcutter again proved invaluable. We were able to significantly reduce the extent of a bramble patch that had spread to the point where there was only a one-horse-width space left between it and the top of the Wansunt riverbank, which was consequently suffering heavy erosion. Four horses were grazing in the Reedmace/Rush beds at the time. They were quick to move in on the fresh grass once we had raked away the cut material.
Reedmace in the east ditch was thinned out with the pole-saw to improve it for Dragonflies and Frogs. Buddleia and Rose by Thames Rd, including stems impinging on the adjacent pedestrian footway, were pruned back.
WILDLIFE
The Blackthorn is now in flower, as are a number of the blue and plum-purple Grape Hyacinths (Muscari neglectum). A volunteer saw a Snipe on a Saturday visit. Our first ever Green Woodpecker within the official boundary of the site was recorded on the 14th.
On the 21st two Chiffchaffs were calling. Coltsfoot was still in flower by the railway end gate. London rarity Hound's-tongue, a biennial, continues to survive in small numbers at the east end, in the same place I first found it in the summer of 2018. It is now re-sprouting and there are also several seedlings. But it doggedly 'refuses' to spread, apart from the odd one that comes up by the nearby roadside fence. I've distributed seeds by hand, and planted out extra plantlets grown from seed at home, but to no avail.
BOOK NOW!
Our next staff-supported event is on Friday April 11th, with Thames21's Michael O'Neill. Book here: book.plinth.org.uk/e/jyHfDWO68FBjh72gDdBv
Chris Rose. Volunteer Site Manager.
LESNES ABBEY WOODS - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SESSIONSEvery WEDNESDAY 10am to 1pm. Meet at the north side of the Lodge by the yard entrance.
Next Wednesday session will be 26th March.
AND ......
The first SUNDAY of each month 10am to 1pm. Meet outside CHESTNUT'S COFFEE KIOSK at 10:00 am. The group then collects tools and equipment from the yard that is opposite the toilets.
Next Sunday session will be 6th April.
Note: these events tend to involve fairly active work and may require walking with tools to remote parts of the woods, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
All tools and materials provided.
Ffi see: www.friendsoflesnesabbeyandwoods.com/get-involved/conservation
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Category Archives: Crossness Nature Reserve
Getting to grips with plant characteristics at Crossness
Yesterday (May 20th) , Tony Wileman, from the London Wildlife Trust, came to Crossness Nature Reserve to educate us on the wonderful world of wildflower identification. Twelve people braved the dark skies and unexpected showers and learned tonnes by doing … Continue reading
Swooping Swifts and dancing Damselflies at Crossness
Despite yesterday’s (May 20th) changeable weather, there were some periods of warm sun following the well attended botany meeting (report of that to follow) and 9 Swifts were zooming around over the Southern Marsh wader scrape at just above head … Continue reading
Crossness boss hopes for patter of tiny Pochard feet
Karen Sutton, Crossness Nature Reserve Site Manager and Thames Water Biodiversity Team Leader is hoping Pochard ducklings will be amongst the new arrivals at the site this spring, after Richard Spink took an excellent photo of a pair of these … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Crossness Nature Reserve, RSPB
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Crossness – latest newsletter highlights massive importance of this jewel in Bexley’s wildlife crown
Karen Sutton, Nature Reserve Manager and Thames Water Biodiversity Team Leader says …. I am pleased to make available our latest Friends of Crossness newsletter, packed full of great wildlife information and photos from the site – at the foot … Continue reading
CROSSNESS – exciting range of educational wildlife events announced for the summer
From Karen Sutton – Biodiversity Team Manager, Thames Water Crossness Nature Reserve. I have arranged a diverse series of events through to September, both to showcase the fabulous range of wildlife on the site, and to provide an introduction to … Continue reading
Cuckoos in Bexley
With two reports of cuckoos so far in Bexley, readers might be interested in the British Trust for Ornithology’s tracking scheme. Over 50% of cuckoos in Britain have been lost in the last 20 years, so research and records are important … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Crossness Nature Reserve
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Big turnout at Crossness bird walk on good day for raptor sightings
Crossness Reserve Manager Karen Sutton writes: 32 attendees braved the cold and wind today (March 21st), to join the Bexley RSPB Crossness Nature Reserve bird trip. The trip was led by Stuart Banks and George Kalli. Included among attendees were … Continue reading
Crossness team clear major roadside eyesore
Today (Feb 27th), despite a cold and frosty start, the sun shone on 9 of us as we undertook a major litter pick adjacent the Crossness Southern Marsh. Some recent illegal grazing under the flyover next to the southern marsh, … Continue reading
Friends of Crossness reserve clear litter eyesores
Crossness Nature Reserve Manager, Karen Sutton writes: The public footpath that runs along the bottom of the Crossness Nature Reserve, is a pleasant wooded path with plenty of Ash, Hazel and scrub. Unfortunately however, the path gets heavily littered with … Continue reading
Posted in Crossness Nature Reserve, Erith Marshes, Litter, Volunteering
Tagged Southern Marsh
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Marsh Harrier drops in for Crossness briefing
Crossness showed with impeccable timing, just what makes it one of the very best wildlife sites in Bexley today, as Karen Sutton – recently promoted to Biodiversity Team Manager for Thames Water – showed two new members of her team … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Erith Marshes, Raptors, Reedbeds
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