Category Archives: Pix and Picks

Our Annual Festive OWL litterpick.

Today’s litterpick was over some territory we’re not used to. The so-called ‘habitat restoration programme’ is underway with undergrowth having been removed and many of the Hot Spots having been completely destroyed.

One effect is that a lot of rubbish that had been deep in the bushes was now on the surface and ready to be removed by our talented OWLs.

A litter sack on a tree – the only evidence left of what used to be a very convenient, secluded, ‘hot spot’. (We called it the Leisure Centre as it was close to a Hot Spot we called The Gymn!)

If there’s litter ready to be picked then our OWLs will be onto it.

Having covered everywhere that was accessible, time for our Festive Refreshments. By tradition, and very welcome, mulled wine, a variety of Waitrose mince pies, and other festive goodies – a treat appreciated by all of the OWLs.

Then just time to tie the sacks and place them near the road ready for collection.

The equivalent of 16 of our regular litter sacks collected today. And in the last month 23 collected by our three solo Owls – giving a grand total of 39 for the month

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Despite two of our regular volunteers not being able to be there, nevertheless, we had a good turnout. And the weather wasn’t too bad either.

This litterpick was typical of what we are used to. Several groups and individuals taking on different parts of the cruising area

Then back to base with our spoils.

Brought from a number of directions.

Always good to catch up over a cup of tea or coffee.

Finally a count-up of the sacks.

The equivalent of 17 of our standard-size bags. With a further, impressive, 41 sacks collected by our solo litterpickers in the last month that’s a total of 58 sacks this month. Thanks to everyone who takes part in OWL litterpicking. It makes a difference!

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Another threesome in the cruising area! But this activity involved litterpicking. And to be fair there were actually five OWLs involved in the session. After a chat with our friendly LGBTQ+ police liaison officer it was time to go into the woods. And soon our volunteers were hard at work.

As well as litterpicking one of the tasks was to replace the black sacks we place in many of the HotSpots. Quite a few guys drop their sexual debris in them when they’ve done the deed. (sadly, some go to the extra effort of throwing the same sort of stuff in the bushes).

Because the weather is getting worse, but significantly because a couple of our ‘solo’ OWL volunteers litterpick regularly, there was much less litter than we would usually collect.

Presumably someone was distracted as they finished and left without their umbrella?!

With practically every area having been covered by the three OWLs it was time for refreshments and a chat with one of our ‘soloists’.

A quick trip followed, to an area that might well become busier if the planned changes to the current cruising area take place.

Then the final bag-count. The equivalent of 15 of our regular-size sacks collected today.

When we add the 39 sacks collected by our ‘soloists’ that gives a total of 53 sacks of litter in the last month.

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Just three of our regular volunteers for today’s litterpick as several others had commitments they couldn’t avoid. As usual we aimed to collect rubbish from our bags in the hotspots, from in the bushes and from the ground.

We are never short of rubbish thrown on the ground! (why can’t those guys who just chuck their rubbish anywhere use the bins or the rubbish bags? Is this what they do with their rubbish at home?!).

 Two volunteers headed in one direction and one in another.

All returned to base on several occasions to drop of their sacks and head off for more.

The refreshment break is always appreciated!

After that more litter-collecting. The thunderstorms that were forecast didn’t arrive; it was a good time to be in the nude sunbathing area!

Finally back to base at the end of the session and the sacks taken to the road for collection by the Epping Forest rubbish truck.

Another good session. The equivalent of 17 of our regular-size rubbish sacks collected today. Plus an amazing 44 sacks collected in the last month by our three brilliant solo litterpickers who go round regularly between the monthly OWL litterpicks. A grand total of 61 sacks. That’s a lot of rubbish.

 We wonder how things will change – from a cruising and litter point of view – when the Epping Forest Habitat Restoration Programme kick off (soon). For details check the dedicated Habitat Restoration page on our OWL website. Click here.  And check back for updates as we get them.

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Two groups litterpicking in the cruising area, one person taking on the litter along the road and one person trimming back the brambles to keep the paths open. Ideal.

 Off we all went on our separate ways.

 Call of nature?!

It’s great when we get to an area where guys respect the environment and put their litter in the sacks OWL has provided.

Less pleasing when despite there being a sack closeby rubbish is chucked around everywhere.

OWL aims to ensure that good cruising continues to take place at Snaresbrook. That includes keeping the paths open. What a star he is!

After a good hour of intensive litterpicking time to return to base with the first half’s haul.

And time for a break and some refreshments.

Then off for more, concentrating on the areas that hadn’t been visited yet.

Finally, with the rain falling, back to base with yet more litter, with the day’s sacks piled beside the road ready for collection tomorrow.

Another good haul. The equivalent of 21 of our standard-size sacks. Plus 50 collected by our solo litterpickers, giving a month’s total of 71 sacks. And the bonus of a £20 note found by one of our volunteers. Thanks to him for handing it in. That will help to pay towards OWL’s expenses.

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

A quick briefing and chat about safety and then our volunteers were off into the woods in two groups – which soon became groups and individuals.

 Good to have a new volunteer joining us.

Especially as this was the sort of litter we were dealing with. In this case great that so many guys had used the bag. A pity that so much was thrown on the ground for us to pick up.

Some volunteers were able to multi-task. Impressive!

With patrols going on across the woods there was plenty of rubbish being collected and brought back to the car park.

The break is always appreciated – who doesn’t like a free drink and some snacks?! These volunteers seem appreciative!

Out for more in the places that hadn’t been covered before the break and back to base with it.

With all of the rubbish brought in there was only thing left to do – tie the bags and put them beside the road ready for collection by our friends the forest Wardens.

Today we collected the equivalent of 27 of our standard-sized sacks. Our solo litterpickers have collected the equivalent of 35 sacks. Giving a total this month of 62 sacks. What a lot of rubbish!

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Another litterpicking session. Another opportunity to clear up the litter that others leave behind. Some of it in bags and bins – great. Some of it thrown on the ground and in the bushes – no excuse!

 With personal safety in mind our groups of two set off enthusiastically to cover as much of the cruising ground as possible.

 Not only litterpicking, but also cutting back overhanging vegetation to open up some of the paths.

With the majority of the woods dealt with it was time for a break and some well-deserved refreshments – including some much-appreciated warm snacks (such extras are always welcome!). Time for a chat and a catch-up. And the exchange of a few individual volunteers’ experiences!

After the break more of the same, covering the parts we hadn’t yet visited.

 Then back to base to tie the rubbish sacks and put them beside the road ready for collection. Today’s total – the equivalent of 18 of our regular-size sacks.

Our ‘solo’ litterpickers have been out during the last month. Their total of 36 sacks brings the overall OWL total for the last month to 54 sacks.

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

A great day to be in the woods and some great OWL volunteers taking part in today’s litterpick.

All experienced, off we went on our separate ways to empty rubbish sacks, and our bin, and to clean up the rubbish in between them.

A good hour’s litter-picking and our volunteers were returning having filled their sacks.

We do find some interesting items!

That went in the rubbish (sorry of it was yours and you wanted it back) but we also found some padlock keys and a Leisure Centre pass. Get in touch with us via owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com if either of these are yours or you know whose they are.

With our work for today having been completed there was just time to enjoy a friendly chat, refresh ourselves with the tea, coffee, and snacks that are always provided, and carry the rubbish sacks to the road.

The final count for today’s litterpick, the equivalent of 16 of our regular sized bags.

Plus a further 31 bags collected by our solo litterpickers who do brilliant work between our monthly litterpicks.

A total of 47 sacks this month.

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Some of our regulars couldn’t make it today. But four of our finest OWL volunteers could – meaning between us we’d potentially be able litterpick all of the cruising area.

Two groups of two set off enthusiastically. We really appreciate the fact that so many guys put their rubbish – whether it’s empty drink cans or condoms and wipes – in the rubbish sacks we provide across the cruising ground. However, it’s a bit annoying when there’s a bag available but rubbish has been chucked on the ground.

By the way, it’s even more annoying when our bags get ripped down and the rubbish strewn around on the ground and in the bushes.

 Great volunteers

Great work

Time for a refreshment break

Then back for more, including the essential task of replacing bags ripped open by foxes or torn down by idiots.

The final count for today’s litterpick, the equivalent of 23 of our regular sized bags.

Plus a further 28 bags collected by our solo litterpickers – who keep things under control between our monthly litterpicks – giving a total of 51 sacks this month.

Although we don’t expect it it’s always good to get thanked by passers-by for the work we do. HUGE thanks to the guy who today gave us £20. We’ll use that to cover some of our OWL expenses.

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

A great team of community-minded volunteers were ready to do some cleaning up of the litter in the cruising area. As it had been so wet it the prediction was that few guys would have been cruising and therefore there wouldn’t be too much litter. Wrong!

 Seven experienced volunteers in all, who set off in three teams to cover the entire cruising ground. We even managed to cover the area opposite the school.

 Experienced volunteers can find litter anywhere.

We are always surprised at some of the things that we find. One of our solo volunteers recently found a crisp £20 note that he’s generously donated towards our OWL expenses. And today one of our OWLs found a cool pair of sunglasses. (If you think they could be yours contact us – owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com – and if you can give sufficient detail to prove that they are yours we’ll arrange to get them back to you).

 More litter; more work.

With their bags full, and in some cases overflowing (refuting the theory that there wouldn’t be much litter to collect!) it was time for a welcome refreshment break. What a cheerful group!

We reckoned we’d cleared practically everywhere and we were due an early finish, although one keen volunteer couldn’t resist going back to do a bit more.

The equivalent of 19 of our regular rubbish sacks collected in this month’s litterpick.

Plus 18 sacks collected by our ‘solo’ litterpickers giving a total of 37 sacks of litter for the month.

 Another great effort.

 Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.