Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) from pollarded Sallow branch 28/11/25. New site record #ThamesRdWetland SMINC in London Boro Bexley, managed by @thames21.bsky.social Feeds on various decidous trees. First found in UK in London area 2010, following increase on near continent. (Pic Elio G)
December 9, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) from pollarded Sallow branch 28/11/25. New site record #ThamesRdWetland SMINC in London Boro Bexley, managed by @thames21.bsky.social Feeds on various decidous trees. First found in UK in London area 2010, following increase on near continent. (Pic Elio G)
14/2 a Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) fest #ThamesRdWetland SMINC, London Boro Bexley, managed by @thames21.bsky.social 3 of the 4 under loose bark on Elder damaged by fire 2022. First found UK 2010. Next staff-supported habitat management session 13/3 book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
February 14, 2026 at 12:05 AM
14/2 a Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) fest #ThamesRdWetland SMINC, London Boro Bexley, managed by @thames21.bsky.social 3 of the 4 under loose bark on Elder damaged by fire 2022. First found UK 2010. Next staff-supported habitat management session 13/3 book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
#ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Largely sunny 30th Jan. 8 volunteers did 36 person-hrs 45 mins cutting Reed, pollarding Sallows. Red Kite seen. Sign-up for our next staffed sessions, Fris Feb 13th + Mar 13th
book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Nearby loos.
book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Nearby loos.
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
#ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Largely sunny 30th Jan. 8 volunteers did 36 person-hrs 45 mins cutting Reed, pollarding Sallows. Red Kite seen. Sign-up for our next staffed sessions, Fris Feb 13th + Mar 13th
book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Nearby loos.
book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Nearby loos.
#ThamesRdWetland managed by @thames21.bsky.social volunteers, has had 6 additional species of Odonata in the last 12 months, in part due to increased observer effort. Now at 20. We need occasional extra help managing vegetation - next session for this Fri 16th Oct book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkz...
Thames Road Wetland: Help Manage An Important Wetland
<p><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Despite its urban surroundings, </span><strong>Thames Road Wetland</strong><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36);"> which sits within the Green Belt, is part of ...
book.plinth.org.uk
September 20, 2026 at 8:20 PM
#ThamesRdWetland managed by @thames21.bsky.social volunteers, has had 6 additional species of Odonata in the last 12 months, in part due to increased observer effort. Now at 20. We need occasional extra help managing vegetation - next session for this Fri 16th Oct book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkz...
Get hands on at #ThamesRdWetland - important wildlife site within #CrayfordMarshes Sign-up for monthly
@thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat work (Reed cutting, Sallow pollarding, shrub pruning) 9/1, 13/2 +/or 13/3. Kit/tools provided. book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
@thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat work (Reed cutting, Sallow pollarding, shrub pruning) 9/1, 13/2 +/or 13/3. Kit/tools provided. book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
January 2, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Get hands on at #ThamesRdWetland - important wildlife site within #CrayfordMarshes Sign-up for monthly
@thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat work (Reed cutting, Sallow pollarding, shrub pruning) 9/1, 13/2 +/or 13/3. Kit/tools provided. book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
@thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat work (Reed cutting, Sallow pollarding, shrub pruning) 9/1, 13/2 +/or 13/3. Kit/tools provided. book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
3 of us today #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Sallow pollarding, Reed + other veg work. V. annoying to have to clear 6 bags clothes, pots + pans, 2 large 'just eat' bike delivery back-packs, blanket + shag-pile carpet dumped on site, fortunately near council rubbish collection point.
December 5, 2025 at 10:32 PM
3 of us today #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Sallow pollarding, Reed + other veg work. V. annoying to have to clear 6 bags clothes, pots + pans, 2 large 'just eat' bike delivery back-packs, blanket + shag-pile carpet dumped on site, fortunately near council rubbish collection point.
Seedling Slender Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus) 3/1. Species on new London NRS axiophyte list. Grew in gravelly substrate railway end #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Lost there as organic content rose. Persists on rill roadside grit/dirt outside fenceline, but vulnerable to council strimmers🙁
January 15, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Seedling Slender Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus) 3/1. Species on new London NRS axiophyte list. Grew in gravelly substrate railway end #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Lost there as organic content rose. Persists on rill roadside grit/dirt outside fenceline, but vulnerable to council strimmers🙁
Sunny day at #ThamesRdWetland Solo Reed work + removing rubbish left by fly-grazers 😠 3, poss 4 Water Rail, Teal, 2 Cetti's warblers, 2 Song Thrushes, Water Vole signs. New volunteers welcome at our @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported event on Jan 30th. Sign up: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
January 24, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Sunny day at #ThamesRdWetland Solo Reed work + removing rubbish left by fly-grazers 😠 3, poss 4 Water Rail, Teal, 2 Cetti's warblers, 2 Song Thrushes, Water Vole signs. New volunteers welcome at our @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported event on Jan 30th. Sign up: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
Yes. Have had these on #ThamesRdWetland on Inner Crayford Marshes for a few years now. In fact I can't recall any 'straight' Pieds here at all.
December 8, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Yes. Have had these on #ThamesRdWetland on Inner Crayford Marshes for a few years now. In fact I can't recall any 'straight' Pieds here at all.
#ThamesRdWetland next @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported workday 10th April.
book.plinth.org.uk/.../Dsj81......
No particular skills required. All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Loos available at nearby council depot. Help wildlife. Meet new people.
book.plinth.org.uk/.../Dsj81......
No particular skills required. All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Loos available at nearby council depot. Help wildlife. Meet new people.
April 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
#ThamesRdWetland next @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported workday 10th April.
book.plinth.org.uk/.../Dsj81......
No particular skills required. All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Loos available at nearby council depot. Help wildlife. Meet new people.
book.plinth.org.uk/.../Dsj81......
No particular skills required. All kit provided. Basic refreshments. Loos available at nearby council depot. Help wildlife. Meet new people.
Next #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat management session 13/3. Help finish this winter's Reed cutting and remove prev cut material. Kit provided. Basic refreshments. Nearby loos. Sign up: book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
February 26, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Next #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat management session 13/3. Help finish this winter's Reed cutting and remove prev cut material. Kit provided. Basic refreshments. Nearby loos. Sign up: book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...
#ThamesRdWetland 12th June. @thames21.bsky.social
staff-supported event, all equipment provided. Refreshments. Help sought with raking out cut Reed regrowth, selective thinning of river/ditch vegetation + digging crud out of road run-off trap. Book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0XWb4WwTrB...
staff-supported event, all equipment provided. Refreshments. Help sought with raking out cut Reed regrowth, selective thinning of river/ditch vegetation + digging crud out of road run-off trap. Book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0XWb4WwTrB...
May 28, 2026 at 3:47 PM
#ThamesRdWetland 12th June. @thames21.bsky.social
staff-supported event, all equipment provided. Refreshments. Help sought with raking out cut Reed regrowth, selective thinning of river/ditch vegetation + digging crud out of road run-off trap. Book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0XWb4WwTrB...
staff-supported event, all equipment provided. Refreshments. Help sought with raking out cut Reed regrowth, selective thinning of river/ditch vegetation + digging crud out of road run-off trap. Book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0XWb4WwTrB...
25 @thames21.bsky.social #ThamesRdWetland volunteers (15 never been before) donated 564 person hrs habitat management/wildlife recording/event promo/write-ups etc. time to owner Bexley Council in Oct25-Mar26 reporting period (£6,886.44 at Nat Min Wage rate).
May 6, 2026 at 10:38 PM
25 @thames21.bsky.social #ThamesRdWetland volunteers (15 never been before) donated 564 person hrs habitat management/wildlife recording/event promo/write-ups etc. time to owner Bexley Council in Oct25-Mar26 reporting period (£6,886.44 at Nat Min Wage rate).
Next @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported event at #ThamesRdWetland , Crayford, will be Friday 21/8. Clearing cut Reed to retain open pools, selective vegetation removal to improve ditches for Dragonflies and Water Voles, clearing out road run-off trap. Book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkz...
July 29, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Next @thames21.bsky.social staff-supported event at #ThamesRdWetland , Crayford, will be Friday 21/8. Clearing cut Reed to retain open pools, selective vegetation removal to improve ditches for Dragonflies and Water Voles, clearing out road run-off trap. Book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/0WCJmk9xkz...
Now up to 19 species of Odonata at @thames21.bsky.social
volunteer-managed #ThamesRdWetland , London Borough of Bexley, after this pair of copulating Southern Migrant Hawkers was spotted by one of our volunteers on July 22nd. Other recent additions: Scarce Chaser, Norfolk Hawker, Lesser Emperor.
volunteer-managed #ThamesRdWetland , London Borough of Bexley, after this pair of copulating Southern Migrant Hawkers was spotted by one of our volunteers on July 22nd. Other recent additions: Scarce Chaser, Norfolk Hawker, Lesser Emperor.
July 29, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Now up to 19 species of Odonata at @thames21.bsky.social
volunteer-managed #ThamesRdWetland , London Borough of Bexley, after this pair of copulating Southern Migrant Hawkers was spotted by one of our volunteers on July 22nd. Other recent additions: Scarce Chaser, Norfolk Hawker, Lesser Emperor.
volunteer-managed #ThamesRdWetland , London Borough of Bexley, after this pair of copulating Southern Migrant Hawkers was spotted by one of our volunteers on July 22nd. Other recent additions: Scarce Chaser, Norfolk Hawker, Lesser Emperor.
2 nationally scarce Marsh Sow-thistles - 'escaped' from #ThamesRdWetland where specimens from seed of since-destroyed last remaining London individual on Crayford Marshes were planted in 2011 - and since proliferated - just noticed now growing on east bank of adjacent R.Cray.
@thames21.bsky.social
@thames21.bsky.social
July 29, 2026 at 10:50 PM
2 nationally scarce Marsh Sow-thistles - 'escaped' from #ThamesRdWetland where specimens from seed of since-destroyed last remaining London individual on Crayford Marshes were planted in 2011 - and since proliferated - just noticed now growing on east bank of adjacent R.Cray.
@thames21.bsky.social
@thames21.bsky.social
Odonata list at #ThamesRdWetland - managed by
@thames21.bsky.social volunteers - up 4 spp to 18 in last 10 months, following trend across LBofBexley. 2025 addition was Scarce Chaser. 2026 Four-spotted Chaser, Norfolk Hawker (record shot) and Lesser Emperor all seen within site boundary
@thames21.bsky.social volunteers - up 4 spp to 18 in last 10 months, following trend across LBofBexley. 2025 addition was Scarce Chaser. 2026 Four-spotted Chaser, Norfolk Hawker (record shot) and Lesser Emperor all seen within site boundary
July 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Odonata list at #ThamesRdWetland - managed by
@thames21.bsky.social volunteers - up 4 spp to 18 in last 10 months, following trend across LBofBexley. 2025 addition was Scarce Chaser. 2026 Four-spotted Chaser, Norfolk Hawker (record shot) and Lesser Emperor all seen within site boundary
@thames21.bsky.social volunteers - up 4 spp to 18 in last 10 months, following trend across LBofBexley. 2025 addition was Scarce Chaser. 2026 Four-spotted Chaser, Norfolk Hawker (record shot) and Lesser Emperor all seen within site boundary
The management team at #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social do not have fires at this important Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. If you're passing by on Thames Rd/River Cray By-way 105 and see a fire, it's ARSON. Please ring Police / Fire Brigade. THANKS.
April 12, 2026 at 12:17 PM
The management team at #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social do not have fires at this important Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. If you're passing by on Thames Rd/River Cray By-way 105 and see a fire, it's ARSON. Please ring Police / Fire Brigade. THANKS.
My second ever Red Kite in #ThamesRdWetland Crayford airspace this afternoon. Had run out of steam and was lounging on a bank when it went over, or would have missed it. Grey Heron also went over, being very aggressively mobbed by a Carrion Crow. @thames21.bsky.social
May 1, 2026 at 8:58 PM
My second ever Red Kite in #ThamesRdWetland Crayford airspace this afternoon. Had run out of steam and was lounging on a bank when it went over, or would have missed it. Grey Heron also went over, being very aggressively mobbed by a Carrion Crow. @thames21.bsky.social
Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) was a new site record for @thames21.bsky.social - managed #ThamesRdWetland , Crayford, on 5th June, with a volunteer getting a confirmatory photo. He also took one of a male Scarce Chaser on 29/5, a species first seen here in autumn 2025.
June 8, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) was a new site record for @thames21.bsky.social - managed #ThamesRdWetland , Crayford, on 5th June, with a volunteer getting a confirmatory photo. He also took one of a male Scarce Chaser on 29/5, a species first seen here in autumn 2025.
Not good at fungus ID. It's been suggested elsewhere that this specimen on a pile of rotting Reed at #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social on 3/1/26 could be Entoloma sp.,or a Lepista sordida (rather than Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis). Thoughts welcome, tho may be impossible from just photos.
January 15, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Not good at fungus ID. It's been suggested elsewhere that this specimen on a pile of rotting Reed at #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social on 3/1/26 could be Entoloma sp.,or a Lepista sordida (rather than Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis). Thoughts welcome, tho may be impossible from just photos.
HELP NEEDED #ThamesRdWetland on Jan 30th! Due to adverse weather forecast, our 9/1 @thames21.bsky.social
staff-supported event was cancelled. BUT the large amount of work we need to do before end of March is undiminished. So we're trying again .... To book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
staff-supported event was cancelled. BUT the large amount of work we need to do before end of March is undiminished. So we're trying again .... To book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
January 9, 2026 at 10:15 PM
HELP NEEDED #ThamesRdWetland on Jan 30th! Due to adverse weather forecast, our 9/1 @thames21.bsky.social
staff-supported event was cancelled. BUT the large amount of work we need to do before end of March is undiminished. So we're trying again .... To book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
staff-supported event was cancelled. BUT the large amount of work we need to do before end of March is undiminished. So we're trying again .... To book: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
Three @thames21.bsky.social volunteers at a sunny cold #ThamesRdWetland 3/1. 12.5 person-hrs work. Ice prevented clearing previously cut Reed from H2O, so mainly pruned shrubs to restore sunlight to key reptile habitat. Linnet a new site record, tho species has very probably visited before.
January 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Three @thames21.bsky.social volunteers at a sunny cold #ThamesRdWetland 3/1. 12.5 person-hrs work. Ice prevented clearing previously cut Reed from H2O, so mainly pruned shrubs to restore sunlight to key reptile habitat. Linnet a new site record, tho species has very probably visited before.
5 ppl, 21 person hrs 44m work on sunny 16/1 #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social 1st Lizard of yr basking at least 10.35-13.50. Prev earliest 19/1/16 (tho margin of error is we're usually only onsite 1 day/wk). 2 Peregrines. Buzzard. Bee Orchids. Join us 30/1: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
January 19, 2026 at 12:20 AM
5 ppl, 21 person hrs 44m work on sunny 16/1 #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social 1st Lizard of yr basking at least 10.35-13.50. Prev earliest 19/1/16 (tho margin of error is we're usually only onsite 1 day/wk). 2 Peregrines. Buzzard. Bee Orchids. Join us 30/1: book.plinth.org.uk/e/FJvrhxZVIv...
#ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Now been 2nd or 3rd ARSON attack last 3 wks. Large piles cut Reed composting carbon back to soil torched so now in atmos. All life in them incinerated. Nearby v.rare plants damaged. <0 IQ criminals seeking cheap 'laugh' don't care/too thick to understand.
April 12, 2026 at 12:13 PM
#ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Now been 2nd or 3rd ARSON attack last 3 wks. Large piles cut Reed composting carbon back to soil torched so now in atmos. All life in them incinerated. Nearby v.rare plants damaged. <0 IQ criminals seeking cheap 'laugh' don't care/too thick to understand.