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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: Open spaces
Comments made on Council Budget Consultation
The Council’s second consultation on its budget proposals closes today. A good number of our friends have made comments. Here are mine related to the parks sell off. 7. Grounds maintenance: Bring forward 2016/17 saving of an extra £113,000 to … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Budget, Land sales, Open spaces, Parks
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Over 2,000 Ring-necked Parakeets at Danson roost again
Eleven people attended the Friends of the Shuttle Danson Park Parakeet count on this sunny evening (Feb 17th), tallying some 2,125 birds into the roost area on the north side of the lake. Participants came from FotS, Bexley RSPB, BNEF … Continue reading
Friends of the Shuttle volunteers remove rubbish from more Council open spaces
Another productive Friends of the Shuttle river-cleaning event took place today (12th February) at Crofton Avenue, Bexley. 15 bags of waste and recyclables were collected by 8 volunteers braving the chilly weather. Our haul also included a child’s car seat, a … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Litter, Open spaces, River Shuttle, Rivers, Volunteering
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New budget consult: opportunity to support open space ‘maintenance’ reductions over sell-offs, plus more recycling and new energy-saving/light pollution measures
Bexley Council is consulting on further budget-savings proposals which could save open spaces, increase recycling and cut carbon emissions and light pollution, thereby benefiting wildlife and people. The deadline for responses is February 20th. It’s important that as many of … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Budget, Consultations, Environment, Land sales, Light pollution, Litter, Open spaces, Parks, Recycling
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Casual park users join open spaces sell-off photocall
A fair number of people turned out for this morning’s photocall at Danson Park, called at very short notice – and without much fanfare – by News Shopper (look out for the story in this coming week’s edition). Thanks to … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Demonstration, News Shopper, Open spaces, Parks
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Open spaces sell-off protest photocall – Sunday 8th Feb, Danson
Open Spaces sell-off: News Shopper PHOTOCALL – AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WANTED! – Sunday 8th Feb., 10 a.m. Danson Park boathouse. Please ‘share’ with your local contacts. The News Shopper is now picking up on this story and is … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bexley Council, BNEF, Budget, Consultations, Environment, Land sales, Open spaces, Parks, vegetation management
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Eighteen enjoy Hall Place/Crayford Rough bird walk in sunny interlude
RSPB Bexley Local Group Walk – Hall Place South and Crayford Rough Tuesday 13th January 2014 – Leaders Ralph and Brenda Todd Ninety minutes before our walk began the skies were thick grey and heavy rain had just ceased, within … Continue reading
Local Wildlife Sites under threat nationally.
A report by the Wildlife Trusts nationally warns that Local Wildlife Sites not protected by statute are being ruined by development. A 10th damaged or lost in the last five years. Identified as crucial in their own right or as … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Open spaces, Planning
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Open spaces sell-off – Council refuses FOI request to release list
Bexley Council is proposing to ‘dispose of’ 27 open spaces, which it has admitted includes some parkland, in the period to 2018, and is consulting on doing so in its current budget questionnaire. It has declined several written requests to … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley, Bexley Council, Consultations, Housing targets, Land sales, Open spaces, Parks, Planning, Volunteering
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Latest outbreak of excessive ‘vegetation management’ sparks ‘Key habitat features’ list move
Several complaints about a ‘scorched earth’ approach to vegetation management along the River Shuttle over the past couple of weeks, have been relayed to noted local bird recorder Ralph Todd of Bexley RSPB, and further dismay was expressed by a … Continue reading