Dacres Wood Nature reserve is a bit of a hidden gem, but the plan is to have regular Open Days on the last Saturday of every month from Spring to Autumn, from 12.00 to 3.00 - so the next one is coming up this Saturday.
There will be refreshments and tours of the reserve, and opportunities for visitors coming with sturdy gloves and secateurs to help with some conservation work.
As to what you'll see - here's a photo from earlier this year
with
more here and more information about the reserve and
Friends group on our website.
For updates, come along and give us your email, PM me, or follow us on Twitter @dacreswood
Some of us were helping clear up invasive plants at Dacres Wood Nature Reserve today
Not all my own work - this one was a two man job - thanks, Andy.
Useful things,
rabbit spades ...
More pictures to come on
our web site, including shots of a moorhen on her nest, turning over her eggs.
We also agreed a constitution, and will be having our first AGM Saturday June 29th.
Coming up next weekend (Saturday, 29th June) is the June open day for the nature reserve. The reserve is open from 12pm- 3pm. Refreshments and free tours will be available. If you feel like “mucking in” then feel free to bring some gloves, as the Friends and volunteers will be tidying up and maintaining the site.
It is also our first ever AGM of the Friends of Dacres Wood Nature Reserve. This is from 11am – 12pm
Looking forward to seeing how the pond is looking this year.
On Saturday, 27th July 2013 from 12-3pm the Friends of Dacres Wood Nature Reserve will be having its monthly open day again.
You can reach the nature reserve using Honeyfield Mews (off Dacres Road).
For more information visit
http://dacreswood.org.uk/
Bumping by pasting in what I also just put up on the Sydenham Town Forum
Should have posted about this earlier ...
One of our regular last Saturday in the month open days, tomorrow, 12 - 3. Just come along to see around the site, or volunteer. It's Lewisham's largest Nature Reserve, and of historic interest in having the only remnant of the old Croydon Canal in existence - it's the pond on this map
which also shows where the entrance it, which is easy to miss since the road it's at the end of, Honeyfield Mews, hasn't yet been adopted by the Council (it's a long story ...)
Here it is captured from Google Streetview
For more about the site and the
Friends of Dacres Wood, see our web site here.
and of historic interest in having the only remnant of the old Croydon Canal in existence
A long stretch of the canal can be found at Betts Pk, Anerley, too.
Just saying...
I'm sure it isn't half as nice.
A long stretch of the canal can be found at Betts Pk, Anerley, too.
Just saying...
I'm sure it isn't half as nice.
Sorry ...
Meanwhile, a willow bough has sent out roots into the pond at Dacres Wood, only for the level to have dropped in the recent dry weather.
and also a whole row sprouting from the fallen branch behind:
Sorry ...
That's OK Tim - the sign at Betts Park announces that their concrete trough (1934) is the only remaining section of the Croydon Canal too.
Dacres reserve is lovely and the kids and me were frequent visitors when it was open access. Very rarely saw anyone over there, which was part of its charm.
This weekend at the Nature Reserve there is the annual Bring and Take day held by the Forest Hill Society. See below for details.
7th FREECYCLE/BRING & TAKE
PLUS NATURE RESERVE OPEN DAY
SATURDAY 28th September 2013 1.30 – 4.00 pm
DACRES WOOD NATURE RESERVE FIELD CENTRE
DACRES ROAD, FOREST HILL SE23
Bring good quality unwanted items Take something you need – all free!!!!
WHAT TO BRING
NB: all items must be in good condition and clean. Items should be re-usable and easily portable. Examples of acceptable items:
Immaculate clothing adult and children’s clothing
Toys
Books
CDs and DVDs
Kitchenware
Objet d’art
Plants
Tools
Small electrical tems in good working order e.g. lamps, toasters, coffee machines
WHAT NOT TO BRING
Lewisham Council will no longer be taking away unwanted items after the event.
So please do not bring:
Electrical items larger than a toaster e.g. no TVs, PCs, monitors, printers, scanners, DVD/VHS/CD recorders/players, vacuum cleaners
VHS or cassette tapes
Adult bicycles, furniture, carpets
Jumble
Any item not suitable for domestic recycling