Friends of Watts Meadow

02/11/2026

29/10/2026

Our AGM will be on Saturday 31 October at 12 noon, in the Who'd Ha Thought it. All are welcome to join us, to hear what we did last year, and for us to hear from you any ideas you have about Watts Meadow.
Last year's reports include our communications, and a nature report - and as a reminder there is ALWAYS something to see in our greenspace, during todays walk I found masses of firebugs, a vernal shieldbug (used to be rare, but now seen more frequently in south east England) and some beautiful autumn colours

27/10/2026

LOST KEY: If anyone finds key in Watts Meadow, with a green plastic name label and the name "Buster" on it - please send us a direct message and we'll link you with the owner

22/10/2026

Rain has brought out a wide range of different fungi around the Medway towns, and across Kent. While we haven't (yet!) seen the alien looking devils fingers here in Watts Meadow, and I didn't find other "suitable for Halloween" fungi during my walk today (like witches butter, or dead man's fingers) I did find some colourful examples. And crystal brain is almost halloween-y

21/09/2026

Now that the ivy is flowering, it is alive with insects. Just on one small patch this afternoon I saw at least 3 types of bee, 5 types of hoverfly and other flies. Lots of other insects enjoying th sunshine too.

12/09/2026

Thankyou to the volunteers who joined committee members today - the benches are cleaned, and the clippings all raked away from the open area. And still wildlife to be seen....

10/09/2026

Update: Norse strimmed the open area of the meadow today, so our working party on Saturday is definitely on. A couple of us got a head start today - and discovered this large frog in one damp spot. Still plenty to be raked and cleared though, so if you can spare any time, we'd love to see you. From 10am Saturday

09/09/2026

We've just heard about a new initiative: Walk and Draw. Poster below - the first walk will be Thursday 17 Sept, meeting at Rochester library at 10am (then monthly after that). The "local location" will often be Watts Meadow - weather permitting - so if you want to spend time with others in a peaceful place, you are very welcome to sign up

06/09/2026

Still lots to see in Watts Meadow, although it is your last chance to get close to the darter dragonflies in the open space by the sleeper bench (there were 7 perched on tall stalks this afternoon) - as the council will be doing the autumn haycut shortly.

16/08/2026

Published a post on our website with all the totals from the Big Butterfly counts done in Watts Meadow this year. 18 species of butterflies and moths in total, 15 of which ‘qualified’ to be included on the list. If you did any counts this year, please do share what you saw in the comments

Well, it will be a while before Butterfly Conservation share their report, but I can share the results of the surveys I did in Watts Meadow. As a reminder, the Big Butterfly Count is an annual UK w…