Fears for Bexley’s iconic summer birds – House Martin survey underway

Posted on 11/07/2015 by Chris Rose

Can you help conserve Swifts and House Martins?

Following on from the piece about Swift’s in this week’s News Shopper, Ralph Todd has submitted the following piece to the paper. If you know of Swift aggregations or House Martin nesting sites in the Borough, or can help with the survey work, please contact Ralph at rrtodd@hotmail.co.uk. If you are interested in helping set up a nestbox scheme, and/or know anyone who works up ladders, has the relevant insurance and could help get nestboxes put up on local buildings, contact Jonathan Rooks jonathanrooks@virginmedia.com

‘Local conservationists are participating in a national survey to establish where House Martins are breeding, and are also on the lookout for Swift nesting sites in Bexley, as concerns grow over a serious decline in numbers of these birds that spend their summers in Britain and winters in Africa.

Both species became adapted to nesting in and on man-made structures, but modern building methods and renovations are now keeping them out. Ralph Todd, compiler of the six-monthly ‘Bexley Bird Report’, who is leading the survey locally, said “We have a real concern that the House Martin could be lost as a breeding bird in Bexley. They will often use old nests, but we are aware that a number of these have been destroyed on buildings at the two main breeding sites in Erith and Crayford. We are looking at whether placement of artificial nests could eliminate any conflict between birds and residents, but in the meantime, it should be remembered that it is unlawful for owners or occupiers of buildings to destroy a nest under construction or in use.”

The RSPB Statement on this is as follows:- “House martins are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to kill, injure or take an adult bird, or to take, damage or destroy the eggs, young or nest of a house martin whilst it is being built or in use. The Act allows for fines of up to £5,000 for every bird, egg or nest destroyed, or even custodial sentences. If maintenance work that would affect either a natural or artificial house martin nest needs to be carried out, this should be scheduled for the autumn, winter or early spring when the birds are not in residence. At this time of the year one can remove the nests to carry out the work. Make sure that you replace any artificial nests to exactly the same spot where they came from house martins are very particular about the exact location of their nest.”

To help conserve these species for future generations to enjoy in the summer skies over Bexley, known or suspected nesting sites for Swifts and House Martins can be reported to Ralph at rrtodd@hotmail.co.uk

Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, RSPB | Leave a comment

Some people pictures from last Saturday’s Crossness invertebrates event

Posted on 09/07/2015 by Chris Rose

As previously reported there was an excellent turnout of 27 – mainly locals – for last weekend’s (July 4th) London Natural History Society-led event at Crossness Southern Marsh on Erith Marshes, looking at lesser-known invertebrates. The area is part of a Metropolitan (London level) Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

LNHS experts on hand were Tristan Bantock and Mick Massie on insects, ornithologist George Kalli and leading botanist Rodney Burton.  Attendees included members from the Ruxley Gravel Pits nature reserve, Lesnes Abbey (Woods) Conservation Volunteers and the Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve group.

While we wait for a definitive list of species found to be compiled, here are some of the other characters that were to be seen (Photos by Site manager Karen Sutton and walk leader Chris Rose – with his LNHS hat on).

Ponies on Southern Marsh

Ponies on Southern Marsh

Site manager Karen Sutton (second left) chats to Mike Robinson as the walk gets underway.

Site manager Karen Sutton (second left) chats to Mike Robinson as the walk gets underway.

Participants discuss species identification. 'Bexley Wildlife' contributor Purnendu Roy, who discovered a new species of butterfly in India, on the right.

Participants discuss species identification. ‘Bexley Wildlife’ contributor Purnendu Roy, who discovered a new species of butterfly in India, on the right.

Martin Petchey, who does Bee transect counts at Crossness.

Martin Petchey, who does Bee transect counts at Crossness.

'BW' contributor Mike Robinson, who recently discovered the Marbled White butterfly at Hollyhill, a new (modern, at least) record for Bexley.

‘BW’ contributor Mike Robinson, who recently discovered the Marbled White butterfly at Hollyhill, a new (modern, at least) record for Bexley.

Attendees gathered on the Southern Marsh pond boardwalk to get superb close-up views of the considerable Dragonfly and Damselfly action.

Attendees gathered on the Southern Marsh pond boardwalk to get superb close-up views of the considerable Dragonfly and Damselfly action, including Small Red-eyed Damselfly, a new site record.

Lunchbreak. Rodney Burton (red cap, centre), the compiler of the 1993 Flora of the London area, took advantage of the meeting to gather plant records for an updated botanical atlas of the capital.

Lunchbreak. Rodney Burton (red cap, centre), the compiler of the 1983 ‘Flora of the London area’, took advantage of the meeting to gather plant records for the LNHS’s project to produce an updated botanical atlas of the capital.

The volunteers from Lesnes Abbey Woods clearly prefer shadier habitats, and took advantage of a Reedbed to take some respite from the blazing sun!

The volunteers from Lesnes Abbey Woods clearly prefer shadier habitats, and took advantage of a Reedbed to take some respite from the blazing sun!

Rodney Burton explains the finer points of plant identification at the Southern Marsh wader scrape.

Rodney Burton explains the finer points of plant identification at the Southern Marsh wader scrape.

Entomologising and botanising the margins of the Southern Marsh wader scrape rounded off an interesting and productive day at Crossness.

Entomologising and botanising the margins of the Southern Marsh wader scrape rounded off an interesting and productive day at Crossness.

Posted in Bexley, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Erith Marshes, Invertebrates, SINC | Leave a comment

Real (slim) shady – ‘Tesco trees’ show value of urban greenery

Posted on 09/07/2015 by Chris Rose

The trees on the former Council Offices/Tesco site on the Broadway are improving an otherwise ugly area, and providing valuable shade on hot summer days.

Green not grey: these trees provide multiple benefits from aesthetic to shading to pollutant removal, but could so easily have been lost to yet more concrete.. (Photo: Chris Rose)

Green not grey: these trees provide multiple benefits from aesthetic to shading to pollutant removal, but could so easily have been lost to yet more concrete. (Photo: Chris Rose)

This row of London Planes along the Broadway was destined for the chop, but have been left standing thanks to the collapse of Tesco’s plan for a new store on the site of the former Bexley Council Offices, and a call for their retention by Bexley Natural Environment Forum.

Whilst the Council did ask Tesco’s agent to leave them in place once the demolition work was halted, as far as we know no formal commitment to sparing them was received in response. Fortunately they are still standing and look unlikely to removed now. The Council has said in writing that it will place a condition on any future application for this site that the trees must be retained, but the cynics amongst us will wish to keep an eagle eye open just in case this is somehow ‘forgotten’ when push comes to shove.

Here’s how ‘BW’ broke the story:

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/environment-forum-calls-for-tesco-tree-reprieve-as-store-plan-collapses/

and here’s a slide show on the value of urban trees:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http:/www.cabe.org.uk/files/benefits-of-urban-trees.pdf

Posted in Bexley Council, Bexleyheath, Tesco, Trees | Leave a comment

Bexley birds maintain media profile

Posted on 09/07/2015 by Chris Rose

Crossness Kestrels in  hardcopy ‘News Shopper’ two editions running. Joined by Swifts this week.

The Kestrel family at Crossness Nature Reserve on Erith Marshes was splashed across the top of the front page in last week’s ‘News Shopper’, so it looked like a larger piece with quotes from Site Manager Karen Sutton might go unused – but no, there is an even bigger item in this week’s (Weds July 8th) edition with all the relevant background.

Kestrels are front page news in last week's 'Newsshopper'.

Kestrels are front page news in last week’s ‘News Shopper’.

This week's artricle carried more information about the importance of the Crossness/Erith Marshes area and its rich wildlife.

This week’s artricle carried more information about the importance of the Crossness/Erith Marshes area and its rich wildlife.

This week’s copy also contains an item about Swifts over Belvedere village, along the lines of the piece on ‘BexleyWildlife’ recently.

IMG10405-20150709-1205

Three ‘News Shopper’ journalists are following ‘BW’ and/or the ‘Greener Bexley’ charity’s Twitter feed, so that is helping to put Bexley wildlife and environment stories on their radar. But in order to heighten public interest in these issues all our local groups should seek to do more to promote the good work we are doing. Richard Spink’s excellent photographs have undoubtedly propelled the Kestrel story to its current prominence, and it remains true that ‘a picture’s worth a thousand words’, so the two things we all need to do is try and make sure we have someone taking quality photos at our events, and then someone whose job it is to get that material to a wider audience, including the local media. Whilst the followership of ‘BW’ is increasing, it’s still miniscule compared to the readership of outlets such as ‘Newsshopper’, and it’s the wider public we need to reach out to and not just ourselves if we are to win conservation battles!

Chris Rose. Vice-chair, Bexley Natural Environment Forum.

Posted in Belvedere, Bird watching, BNEF, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Environment, Erith Marshes, Raptors | 1 Comment

Birder gets on his bike to study other species

Posted on 07/07/2015 by Chris Rose

Plants, Odonata and fish photographed.

From Bexley Bird Report author, Ralph Todd.

Mid June-Mid July are relatively quiet times for active birdwatchers so I often pursue other avenues of natural history but keep with the flying beasties as much as possible but plants stay still to allow identification.

A slow bike ride from Bexley Village to Foots Cray Meadows turned up some interesting finds. (Click on the photos to look at a larger version).

A small area of ‘orchard’ not far from Bexley village produced a couple of bee orchids, quite difficult to find amongst the long grass, in contrast to the giant hogweed in full bloom at the Albany Park end of Upper College Farm.

These Bee Orchids occur at one of a handful of sites in the Borough of Bexley. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

These Bee Orchids occur at one of a handful of sites for the species in the Borough of Bexley. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Giant Hogweed on the left. Native Hogweed on the right. They do occasionally hybridise. Pictured at Upper College Farm. (Photo: Ralph Todd).

Giant Hogweed on the left. Native Hogweed on the right. They do occasionally hybridise. Pictured at Upper College Farm. (Photo: Ralph Todd).

Although it's a spectacular plant, the invasive South American Giant Hogweed is an unwelcome sight at several locations along the Cray valley, and is seen here at Upper College Farm. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Although it’s a spectacular plant, the invasive South American Giant Hogweed is an unwelcome sight at several locations along the Cray valley, and is seen here at Upper College Farm. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

The River Cray in Foots Cray Meadows produced lots of Chubb and dozens of banded demoiselle (damselflies).

A Chubb in the River Cray at Footscray Meadows. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

A Chubb in the River Cray at Footscray Meadows. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

The undisturbed ponds are a haven for dragonflies and damselflies of which, blue-tailed, azure and common blue damselflies and broad bodied chaser dragonflies were the most numerous. An Emperor was also present but too quick in flight for photographs.

A tandem pair of Common Blue Damselflies at Footscray Meadows. Note the black 'club' on the thorax of the blue male which aids identification when compared with the Azure Blue. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

A tandem pair of Common Blue Damselflies at Footscray Meadows. Note the black ‘club’ on the front part of the abdomen in the blue male, which aids identification when compared with the Azure Blue. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Male Azure Blue Damselfly. Note square 'U' shape on thorax, and compare with Common Blue male. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Male Azure Blue Damselfly. Note square ‘U’ shape at top end of abdomen, and compare with Common Blue male. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Male Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Male Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Female Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly in flight at Footscray Meadows. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Female Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly in flight at Footscray Meadows. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Posted in Bexley, Bird watching, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Fish, Foots Cray Meadows, Invertebrates, Open spaces, Plants in Bexley, Recording, River Cray, Rivers | Leave a comment

New access ramp built at Ruxley Gravel Pits Nature Reserve

Posted on 07/07/2015 by Chris Rose

A small tributary had washed away the previous ramp leaving a high step and a muddy mess to negotiate. The temporary solution of a plank was quickly rejected on safety grounds.

'Walking the plank' was deemed a safety hazard. (Photo: Martin Watts)

‘Walking the plank’ at Ruxley was deemed a safety hazard. (Photo: Martin Watts)

Volunteers replaced this with a more user friendly ramp. The 15 volunteers – mainly from Kent Wildlife trust based at Tyland Barn in Maidstone on Wednesday 1st July,  and 11 volunteers mainly from KWT (Sevenoaks) on Thursday 2nd – did a super job clearing the rest of the paths around the RGPNR site, which is a SSSI. They had become impassable due to re-growth by the middle of June. Thanks to all the volunteers who did a great job especially as one was the hottest day of the year so far.

Extended ramp under construction. (Picture: Martin Watts)

Extended ramp under construction. (Picture: Martin Watts)

The next working party should be cooler as it is on September 27th. Meet 10:30 at the main gate. Usual equipment supplied, you’ll need appropriate clothes & a packed lunch. More information from Albert the Hon Warden on 07 968 943 157 or myself, Martin the Hon Secretary on 01322 528.

If anybody would like a tour before then while the paths are free then contact Martin.

Posted in Ruxley Gravel Pits, Volunteering | Leave a comment

Silver-washed Fritillary pictured at Joyden’s Woods

Posted on 05/07/2015 by Chris Rose

Ralph and Brenda Todd were out in Joyden’s Woods yesterday (4th July) and Ralph captured these images of a Silver-washed Fritillary butterfly (Argynnis paphia) .

Silver-washed Fritillary at Joyden's Woods, showing the silver washing to the undersides of the wings from which the common name is derived. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Silver-washed Fritillary at Joyden’s Woods, showing the silver washing to the undersides of the wings from which the common name is derived. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Silver-washed Fritillary, wings open. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Silver-washed Fritillary, wings open. (Photo: Ralph Todd)

Ffi see: http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=paphia

The Fritillary, and another White Admiral seen in the same place as last week – about 80-100m on the Kent side of the border, but along a ride of oaks and bramble that extends into Bexley – means that it should be possible to find both of these species in Bexley itself.

Ralph and Brenda saw several other species, including Ringlet, and Large Skipper.

Large Skipper at Joyden's Woods. The pointed tips to the antennae are one of the features that distinguish this species from Small and Essex Skippers. (Photo: Ralph Todd).

Large Skipper at Joyden’s Woods. The pointed tips to the antennae are one of the features that distinguish this species from Small and Essex Skippers. (Photo: Ralph Todd).

 

Posted in Butterflies, Invertebrates, Joydens Wood, Recording | Leave a comment

Crossness pulls level with FCM on 15 species of Odonata as Small Red-eyed Damselfly joins the list

Posted on 05/07/2015 by Chris Rose

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum) was found at Crossness Southern Marsh (part of the remnant of Erith Marshes) on yesterday’s LNHS invertebrate meeting, a new site record, taking the Odonata species total here to 15 (though no one seems to have seen an Emerald Damselfly lately). The species was flying in substantial numbers at both the board-walked ‘teapot’ pond, and the wader scrape at the east end of Southern Marsh, and was also mating, suggesting pioneer individuals probably showed up here last year, but went unnoticed. I had been expecting (Large) Red-eyed to show up first, and on reaching the pond via the main raised pathway, it looked from a distance as if at least one of the Damselflies on the mats of floating algae was one of the Red-eyed species. Second on the scene was Mick Massie, who thought the behaviour did indeed look like a Red-eyed. Close views were had from the boardwalk itself and I was quickly able to confirm Small Red-eyed by the blue under the 8th segment (third from the tail end) and the ante-humeral stripes on the black of the thorax.

New site record: a Small Red-eyed Damselfly at Crossness, showing the key distinguishing features, which include the black 'X' at the tail end. (Photo: Pernendu Roy).

New site record: a Small Red-eyed Damselfly at Crossness, showing the key distinguishing features, which include the black ‘X’ at the tail end. (Photo: Purnendu Roy).

Attendees were also treated to Common Blue Damselflies, Blue-tails, aerial clashes between a male Black-tailed Skimmer and the recent site ‘re-discovery’ in Four-spotted Chasers, a patrolling male Emperor and egg-laying female Emperor.

Male Black-tailed Skimmer at Crossness (Photo: Pernendu Roy)

Male Black-tailed Skimmer (Photo: Purnendu Roy)

Male Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) . (Photo: Purnendu Roy)

Male Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) . (Photo: Purnendu Roy)

Blue-tailed damselflies in mating wheel at the Southern Marsh wader scrape. (Photo: Pernendu Roy)

Blue-tailed damselflies in mating wheel at the Southern Marsh wader scrape. (Photo: Purnendu Roy)

Mick Massie got an excellent photo of a female Ruddy Darter on Southern Marsh, later confirmed online by LNHS Odonata expert Roy Woodward.

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) at Crossness. (Photo: Mick Massie).

Female Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) at Crossness. The all-black legs with no yellow stripe help separate this species from Common Darter. (Photo: Mick Massie).

There was a strong turnout of 27 people for this event, comprising Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, one of the Ruxley Gravel Pits volunteers, several people from Lesnes Abbey Conservation Volunteers, as well as the London Natural History Society contingent from further afield. Useful contacts were made between people who had not met before whilst others who lived nearby had not previously been aware of the existence of this fabulous site. A fuller report will follow once the task of identifying some of the smaller invertebrates has been completed.

Chris Rose 

Posted in Crossness, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Erith Marshes, Invertebrates, LHNS, Open spaces, Recording | Leave a comment

East Wickham Open Space – recent plant survey results

Posted on 02/07/2015 by Chris Rose

East Wickham Open Space, north of Welling town centre, is a large site with extensive wildflower meadows, which we presume were sown at some time in the past. A good array of species persists, and the site is well worth a visit for this reason alone. The grassland supports good populations of invertebrates as a result. Here are the results of East Wickham Conservation Volunteer’s latest plant survey:

East Wickham Open Space plant survey results, June 14th 2015.

East Wickham Open Space plant survey results, June 14th 2015.

 

Black Horehound at EWOS (Photo: Moira Scottow)

Black Horehound at EWOS (Photo: Moira Scottow)

Wild Carrot in flower at EWOS (Photo: Moira Scottow)

Wild Carrot in flower at EWOS (Photo: Moira Scottow)

Posted in Bexley, East Wickham Open Space, Open spaces, Plants in Bexley, Recording | 1 Comment

Danson: lack of algal mats hits Red Eyes

Posted on 01/07/2015 by Chris Rose

There was an almost complete lack of floating algal mats at Danson lake on 29th June. I had gone to check on Himalayan Balsam eradication efforts, but also to see if both  species of Red Eyed Damselfly were now on the wing. These sit in numbers on the algae. Either the Council has been very efficient at removal, or environmental conditions have reduced it, or a combination of both, and there was little sign of Hornwort reaching the surface. The result was that only 1 adult (Large) Red Eye was seen, and that was reduced to defending a territory from a discarded orange plastic bucket lying near the lake margin, from which it was seeing off mobile Common Blue Damselflies, but tolerating five newly-emerged adults that had hauled out and could not yet fly.

If the Council has had a hand in this, it’s another example of how the simplistic ‘blitz it all at once’ approach to vegetation management doesn’t usually give the best results for biodiversity.

Azure, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies were on the wing in strong numbers. 4 or 5 different male Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonflies were seen, in some cases clashing over territory.

The south side of the lake is a good place to see Large Skipper butterflies, and 5 or 6 were noted. Several Meadow Browns were amongst long grass. There were 3 Red Admirals in the ‘woodland ride’ along the tarmac track leading to the gate in the south-east corner of the park, and my first Purple Hairstreak of the year.

All 5 Mute Swan  cygnets have survived so far. There were 44 adult Canada Geese and 6 young. 5 Swifts were over the lake.

No Himalayan Balsam seedlings were found, so the eradication of this alien species may have been achieved, though further checks will be made this year and next spring just to be totally sure.

Chris Rose

 

Posted in Bird watching, Butterflies, Danson Park, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Recording | 1 Comment