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SAVE CROSSNESS NATURE RESERVE CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISERSaturday 2nd November, Lesnes Abbey Lodge.
*** TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE ***
Help support the campaign to stop Cory building a 'carbon capture' plant on 11% of the much-loved Nature Reserve, one of the best wildlife sites in London. They claim they will make the reserve bigger. The reality is that this will be nothing more than a cynical smoke-and-mirrors re-labelling exercise, whilst the total amount of land for wildlife on Erith Marshes will be reduced yet again.
The event is taking place at the Lesnes Abbey Lodge (SE2 0AX) on Saturday 2nd Nov 2-4pm where a 'Wild Bexley' PowerPoint presentation will be given by Ralph Todd (founder of RSPB Bexley) about wildlife sites within the borough, including Crossness. There will be talks by reserve Manager Karen Sutton, updates from members of the Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group, and refreshments, raffles and auctions.
The event is ticketed in order to help raise funds for the campaign, so for an afternoon of enlightening talks, an opportunity to get your hands on some fabulous prizes, and of course some fabulous
company whilst also raising funds to protect this important nature reserve (all monies raised will be held by Southwark Law Centre), do please purchase a ticket and come along:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/scnr
If you can't make it but would still like to make a donation to the campaign, please go to:
www.crowdjustice.com/case/scnr
where a fantastic £13,700 has already been pledged.
www.crowdjustice.com
The Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group are fighting to stop Cory building on 11.7% of Crossness Nature Reserve. Cory should pick an alternative industrial site.
BEXLEY RSPB LOCAL BIRD WALKThursday 17 October 2024 – Danson Park 9:30–12:00
*** Booking essential *** - PLEASE CONTACT RALPH TODD on rbtodd@btinternet.com to reserve a place.
Meet main Stables car park DA15 9PW
As winter approaches, ducks are gaining their breeding plumage and gathering in larger numbers – Tufted Duck, Coots, possible Teal and Shoveler along with Cormorants and Grey Heron. Winter thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfare will be arriving and will be looked for along with resident tits, finches and woodpeckers.
Leader Nicky Wilson
(Image - Nuthatch, Danson Park, Sept 2024)
THAMES ROAD WETLAND (Inner Crayford Marshes) - a busy month-and-a-bit for management work, plus the latest wildlife sightings.WORK
Since our last report we have conducted habitat management sessions on 6/9, 13/9 (13 volunteers including corporates + 1 staff member), 16/9, 20/9, 28/9, 4/10 (solo litter pick), 5/10 and 11/10 (6 volunteers + 1 staff member).
Most of our efforts have continued to be concentrated on supression of Reed, including along the north side of the main ditch where several Marsh Sow-thistle plants have been extricated from Reed ingress. A pathway from the stile, across the River Wansunt culverts, and down the Thames Road end of the east side of that waterway have been cleared after getting somewhat overgrown, and the 'tunnel' through the Buddleia thicket has been opened up again. Selective thinning out of road bank shrubs was carried out to benefit reptiles.
In addition, a training event for recognition of Water Vole field signs was held at the site on 30/9 by a project working on the conservation and restoration of the species in London, which was attended by personnel from the Zoological Society of London and Thames21.
WILDLIFE
6/9 - c180 Starlings in the distance on the pylon by the council depot was a portent of autumn. Red Admiral butterfly seen. A Ploughmans Spikenard plant was by the Thames Road fenceline. Brief glimpse of a usually secretive Water Rail foraging in a cut area of Reed. Harvest Mouse nest found.
13/9 - 2 pairs of copulating Willow Emerald Damselflies. 23 (probably Canada) Geese flew over.
16/9 - Still a few Common Fleabane flowers. A Gorse bush had some flowers. First of three dates on which a juvenile Grass Snake was seen.
20/9 - Marsh Frog basking by main ditch and another heard east of the Wansunt. A Grey Heron flew up from near main ditch, carrying some kind of small mammal with a pale underside in its beak, possibly a Rat. Three Water Rails heard on site. Pair of mating Darter Dragonflies. Brooklime plant still present. Cigar gall on Reed plant by main ditch.
5/10 - Wasp attacked a Darter dragonfly. Long-tailed Tits. 21 Common Lizards counted. At least 3 Cetti's Warblers present. Still a couple of Marsh Sow-thistle plants just about in flower. Biennial Hound's-tongue, a rare plant in London, persisting at usual location, plus one by the roadside fence. Quite by chance - as opposed to any kind of targeted search - a 2ft tall Dogwood sucker was found to have two leaves carrying Rivet Galls, induced by the Gall Midge Craneiobia corni. Having consulted the London Natural History Society plant galls expert, this seems to be a rare find in the capital.
11/10 - Migrant Hawker and Darter Dragonflies were conspicuous by their continued use of the area of open water cleared of Reed at the foot of the road bank. 2 Small White and 1 Speckled Wood butterflies. 1 Chiffchaff singing near the Thames Road bridge over the River Cray. 14 Lizards.
Thanks to Ray, Elio, Pamela, Lee, Rachel, Phil and Jonah plus 9 young(er) lads whose names I failed to record for their work during this period, and to Michael O'Neill for the two staff supported sessions
Chris Rose. Volunteer Site Manager.
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 17th October. New helpers welcome.**
A variety of tasks are undertaken depending on priorities at the time.
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/1696641081134647/
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WOODLANDS FARM, SHOOTERS HILLLast Bee survey of the year will be on Monday 14th October at 2pm. Let me know if you are able to attend.
Thank you.
Hannah Ricketts <education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org>
Education Officer
The Woodlands Farm Trust
331 Shooters Hill
Welling
Kent
DA16 3RP
Tel: 020 8319 8900
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Interesting roadside vegetation before the Council cuts it all down.
The Council’s contractors are quite good a identifying the verge areas planted with bulbs and not cutting these down until the leaves of the bulbs have had the chance to die back. I suppose we have to be grateful for … Continue reading
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Effects of extreme rainfall still evident at Hall Place.
A trip to Hall Place on a sunny Sunday 13th shows that this winter’s extreme rainfall is still having an impact locally even several weeks later. The Sunken Garden lives up to its name …… Normally one descends a few … Continue reading
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Thames21 at The Old Mill, Bexley Village
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Amphibian Conservation Research Conference comes to London.
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Most exceptional winter for 248 years.
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Bexley Flood Risk
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Final BNEF submission to SINC review
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BNEF comments on Bexley SINCs Review
Chris Rose has made a comprehensive set of comments on behalf of the Bexley Natural Environment Forum on the Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation Review documentation which can be read here: https://app.box.com/s/57zt4arfeek3zpwr93w0. There are a disturbing number of cases … Continue reading
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SINC papers available in libraries
The Council’s documentation about the SINC review is now available in hard copy in all of Bexley’s Libraries in case you cannot access on line. It’s a big document!
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Site under development
This site, which is maintained by the charity Greener Bexley is being set up to aid Bexley based conservation groups promote their sites and activities. For further information during this stage, please email Jonathan Rooks on JonathanRooks@virginmedia.com
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