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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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Hear about, and get involved with the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme (NHMP).FREE event. In-person at London Zoo or online attendance.
FFI / to sign up go to:
www.zsl.org
Learn how a national-scale camera trap survey contributes to effective conservation action for hedgehogs and other UK species.
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY EVENTS IN MARCH INCLUDE TWO FIELD MEETINGS IN BEXLEYThe LNHS welcomes non-members at events on a 'taster' basis.
Thursday 13/3. 19.00-20.00. Finding London's Ferns. The history, identification and conservation of native ferns of London. FREE. Book at Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finding-londons-ferns-by-henry-miller-tickets-1071940746629?aff=ebdsoporgp...
Saturday 15/3. 11.00-15.00. FREE. Join Dr. Mark Spencer, one of the capital's foremost botanists, to look at wild Daffodils in Lesnes Abbey Woods and seek out other ancient woodland indicator plant species. Contact Mark at hotfungus.hotmail.com to reserve a space. Note that although no explicit limit has been set on the number of attendees, there may be one in practice if large numbers of people ask to come along.
Sunday 30/3 - FREE. Crossness Nature Reserve with George Kalli. For early migrants and waders. Meet Belvedere railway station at 10.00. Aiming to finish 14.00. Bring lunch.
For more info. about the LNHS, including membership details, please see: lnhs.org.uk/
Finding London’s Ferns by Henry Miller
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Henry Miller will introduce the native ferns of London and guide us through their history, identification, and conservation.
HELP THAMES21 REMOVE NON-NATIVE INVASIVE PENNYWORT FROM THAMESMEAD CANALSMarch 5 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Join us for an important conservation effort in Thamesmead as we team up with Peabody and the Environment Agency to combat the invasive floating pennywort threatening our local canals. This fast-growing aquatic plant can quickly overtake water surfaces, harming water quality and local biodiversity. These events are a key part of our broader strategy to protect our waterways.
This hands-on event offers a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible difference in our local environment. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and a commitment to protecting our natural spaces. We’ll provide all the necessary equipment, including gloves, waders, and refreshments.
If you plan to enter the canals, please enter your shoe size on the registration form so we can provide appropriately sized waders. Volunteers are encouraged to wear suitable outdoor clothing, and preferably water proof clothing or bring a spare pair of clothes as you might get wet.
The day will start with a brief introduction to floating pennywort and its ecological impact, followed by a safety talk and removal techniques. We’ll then head to the water to remove as much pennywort as possible, with a lunch break at 12 PM. The matts of pennywort can be pulled apart and then thrown on to the banks to break down, similar to what the canals teams do but by hand instead of mechanically.
Children are welcome to come, but adult supervision is required.
By joining us, you’ll play a vital role in preserving Thamesmead’s waterways for wildlife and future generations. It’s also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and learn more about local conservation efforts.
Please sign up to the event on our Plinth page by clicking this link:
book.plinth.org.uk/e/bbtujFsEahRiUrVmsr4k
For further information, please contact Tyler Randall at Tyler.Randall@thames21.org.uk.
book.plinth.org.uk
<p>Join us for an important conservation effort in Thamesmead as we team up with Peabody and the Environment Agency to combat the invasive floating pennywort threatening our local canals. This fast-gr...
Category Archives: River Shuttle
Help check river pollution with the Cray/Shuttle Outflow Safari
Dear Jonathan, I am a project officer for the Zoological Society of London, currently running a programme looking at London’s river pollution. I just wanted to reach out to your organisation as we have a volunteer opportunity that some … Continue reading
RSPB Bexley Group Field Trip – River Shuttle/Bexley Park Woods – Tuesday 16th May 2017
Report from Ralph and Brenda Todd on the RSPB Bexley Group’s walk along the River Shuttle and into Bexley Park Woods on Tuesday 16th May 2017: http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/RSPB-Bexley-Group-walk-River-Shuttle-Bexley-Park-Woods-May-2017.pdf
Posted in Bexley Woods, Bird watching, River Shuttle
Tagged Bexley Park Woods, Bexley RSPB, Blackcap, Nuthatch, River Shuttle, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Whitethroat
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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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Friends of the Shuttle events Jan-March 2017
Advance notice of Friends of the Shuttle events on the River Shuttle, at Danson Park, and in Danson Park Old English Garden (which the group helps maintain). The River Shuttle meeting time is 10.30, that for the OEG is 10.00. … Continue reading
Friends of the Shuttle end of year river and Danson events
This Autumn FotS continue their programme of river cleaning events along the River Shuttle. Locations to be confirmed. They will be meeting at 10.30am. All tools and equipment provided as are tea/coffee and biscuits after the event. Please contact them … Continue reading
Floating Pennywort removal at Sidcup Golf Club
A good sized team of around 30 from a selection of groups, including Sidcup Golf Club, Thames21 and North West Kent Countryside Partnership, turned up to the event this morning for invasive plant removal, organised and led by Friends of … Continue reading
Pennywort removal at Sidcup Golf Club – your help needed.
Dear Volunteers, Some of you may have attended our first event at Sidcup Golf Club last year but for those of you that didn’t, here is a little background. Floating Pennywort is a highly invasive non-native species and it is growing in … Continue reading
Posted in River Shuttle, Sidcup Golf Course
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Volunteers clean up in Marlborough Park
Gloomy conditions fail to dampen spirits of the Friends of the Shuttle team as another shocking amount of rubbish is removed from in and around the river. Thanks to all those who came to Marlborough Park this morning (January 14th) despite … Continue reading
River Shuttle and Bexley Woods bird walk report. 5th November 2015.
RSPB Bexley Group Field Trip – River Shuttle/Bexley Park Woods – Thursday 5th November 2015 A dull, drizzly morning but 22 Group members/Friends of the Shuttle joined Brenda and I for a wander along the River Shuttle (or, as we … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Woods, Bird watching, River Shuttle, RSPB
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