Our Facebook Posts
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
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.
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.
Category Archives: Volunteering
FotS steps up Danson wildlife and environmental action
The Friends of the Shuttle is stepping up its wildlife activity and hands-on environmental work at Danson Park during 2016. The lake drains into the Shuttle in Bexley Park Woods. Besides fortnightly maintenance sessions in the Old English Garden, there … Continue reading
Posted in Danson Park, Friends of the Shuttle, Volunteering
Tagged Danson Park, FotS, Friends of the Shuttle, Old English Garden
Leave a comment
Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve – 7th February report
It was a cold crisp morning when ten volunteers ventured into the gravel pits. They worked in two groups cutting down saplings and small trees as well as fighting their way through the inevitable bramble. Because of all the exertion an early lunch … Continue reading
Academy pupils complete ‘pre-SUDS’ trench work at Thames Road Wetland
As part of an ongoing collaboration with Thames21, the group managing Thames Road Wetland, four pupils from Crayford Academy came down on January 20th and helped complete the groundwork designed to keep vehicle oil out of the main waterbody at … Continue reading
Lesnes Abbey Conservation Volunteers group announces spring programme of woodland activities
The volunteer group that does conservation management work in Lesnes Abbey Woods has published its latest schedule of events which run up to the end of May. Events are free and take place from 12 – 3.30pm. No particular skills or … Continue reading
Some photos from the January 19th Thames Road Wetland / By-way 105 litter clear-up
We’ll start with some scenic views across the Thames Road Wetland site before moving on to the more unsavoury material …..
Posted in Litter, River Cray, Thames Road Wetland, Thames21, Volunteering
Leave a comment
It’s Costa del Thames Road Wetland as four Lizards out basking despite the ice and frost
Four Common Lizards born last year were out basking on old car tyres on a south-facing slope at Thames Road Wetland at 13.30 today (19th January), despite some of the water on the site being frozen over, and frost laying … Continue reading
Posted in Thames Road Wetland, Thames21, Volunteering
Leave a comment
Thirteen turn out in snow to crack on with Ruxley nature reserve vegetation management
The first snow of the winter didn’t deter the working party of 13 people at Ruxley Gravel Pits on Sunday 17th January. It was interesting to see the footprints in the snow and the tracks across the frozen icy water where the birds … Continue reading
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
Wildlife events at Woodlands Farm
Big Farmland Bird Count, vegetation management and litter clearance on the agenda at Woodlands Farm. Education Officer Hannah Forshaw education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org writes: Hello everyone. I hope you had a good Christmas and Happy 2016! I have been looking at the diary … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Litter, Volunteering, Woodlands Farm
Leave a comment
Braeburn Park (LWT reserve): report of November 13th workday
Seven volunteers faced a massive task, heavy showers and sunny spells and a huge 50′ x 4′ high pile of brush to burn through; as well as opening up of the south facing sloping banks, to allow in good sunlight … Continue reading