Category Archives: Pix and Picks

This particular species of OWL usually hibernates from December until April each year. But a Red/Amber alarm call had gone out! There was an annoyingly large amount of sexual debris around the cruising area only a few weeks after our last OWL clean up. So it was time to, temporarily at least, come out of hibernation.

It was decided that action was needed and the three longest-serving OWLS met up for an informal litterpick.

Experienced and talented they got to work promptly. As OWLS we believe that the less sexual debris there is in the cruising area then the fewer complaints there will be and the more likely it is that cruising will continue, uninterrupted by the threats of ‘enforcement’ which have been made in the past by the authorities.

For some of us it was frustrating to see so much needless litter. We know that many more guys are being considerate in ensuring that they take their litter away or put it in a bin or bag. So we don’t really understand why, when it is usually so simple, guys chuck their sexual debris on the ground. Is it to mark their territory? Is it to give an obvious sign that that’s where the action takes place?

Which looks better? This?              

Tissues and wipes – oh dear!

Or this:                                 

More pleasant to look at?

Those sexual health messages are still getting through apparently! Lube helps to prevent damage and potentially makes fucking more fun. Water based lube should be used with latex condoms. There was plenty of evidence of condoms being used. And there was some evidence of water-based lube, although some seemed to have been around for a while.

More tissues hung in the bushes?! WTF?

Before

 After a bit of litterpicking:                           

After

Surely the view in the second picture above draws less attention, and is much nicer than the first?!

Not sure why, with a rubbish sack placed so conveniently, so much is thrown on the ground. However, recently one committed cruiser was seen making sure that when he unloaded it went in the rubbish sack – that really is above the call of duty!

Just the right height to receive a big load!

We often find interesting, unusual or strange things during OWL litterpicks. Today’s theme seemed to be discarded wallets. Two of them in different places, with both containing personal and important cards. But no money, suggesting that they had been discarded by pick-pockets. Details are in the ‘News’ section and OWL hope the owners can be reunited with their wallets.

Two wise OWLs

Despite the wallets it had been a good session. Eleven rubbish sacks of sexual debris and eleven of recycling.

Twenty Two Full Sacks

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

The last OWL (OUT With Litter) litterpick of 2018 and we couldn’t complain about the weather.

Four willing volunteers to start with, then five and eventually six at the end.  Following our usual route for three of us, and with one heading for an area he was particularly keen to work on, we headed forth, not exactly treading in each others’ footsteps, but certainly seeking the places where the action had been.

One’s an Elf but is the other goblin’?!

We are so used to this that it was easy working as a team, using a technique where all of the cruising areas were visited and all of the hotspots removed of their load of condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, tissues and wipes.   

It was good to have such fine working conditions.Although the ground covering was different to that for the equivalent day in 2017.Eventually we met up with Team member number 4.Then it was time for refreshments – for today’s litterpick traditionally including a Christmas theme – mulled wine (excellent) and some very tasty Waitrose mince pies. There were mixed views on the Heston Blumenthal Cherry and Chocolate ones, but who can’t resist a mince in the woods at Christmas?! In any case, the refreshments were much-appreciated – as well as being significantly alcoholic.Then onto more of the same with two groups heading in entirely different directions, both keen to ensure that a thorough clean was done during this, our last litterpick for a few months (these OWLs hibernate from now until April).We were again pleased that much less litter is being left strewn around and far more use is being made of the various black rubbish sacks OWL has left strategically-convenient for post-shag detritus drop-off.Finally it was back to base, seal the rubbish sacks and stack them creatively ready for collection.

Sorry to say it but this really was a rubbish Christmas Tree

Fifteen sacks of recyclable litter (bottles and cans) and eighteen of general rubbish including the sexual detritus we’d set off to prioritise.

An excellent day’s work to finish this season.Thanks to everyone who has taken part in an OWL litterpick during 2018. And best wishes for the Festive Season to all who use the woods – for whatever reason!

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

Another excellent day to be out in the woods – and we weren’t alone. A number of other guys had felt that it was the right weather to wander around the woods and into the bushes! Well why not?!

At the start we had just three willing volunteers. But with experienced litterpickers good progress was made through the woods, paying particular attention to the various hotspots.

Of course, there’s always time to stop for a picture to be taken!

Someone has littered the woods with green bags. Maybe helpful, maybe inappropriate. As long as it means there will be less litter thrown on the ground do we care?! Although it’s not one of our bags OWL certainly agreed with the sentiments someone has written on this bag.

Although at first glance it looked like there wouldn’t be much for us to collect – maybe someone had been round litterpicking recently – our sacks were soon brimming and it wasn’t long before we had to return to base to drop the full sacks off.

Which of course means its refreshment time. Always welcome. Always ample.

Then on for more of the same. It might sound tedious but it’s actually quite rewarding to know that we are clearing up litter that might otherwise offend people. And if, within our volunteers, there are those who have made good use of the Snaresbrook Woods in the past, why not put something back?!

Apart from the curiosity about the various strange items we’ve found in the past (see previous posts) one thing that interests us is the way guys dispose of their sexual debris. Some just chuck it anywhere; some hang used condoms on branches for all to see (are we supposed to be impressed?); some take their litter and put it in the nearest bag or bin. We’ve seen a very welcome increase in the number of considerate guys who are now showing care in the way they get rid of their post-shag rubbish.

One of the hotspots, Dirty Den (well, everywhere has to have a name!) used to be strewn with condoms, lube sachets and tissues each time we visited. Today the rubbish bag had been used and there was nothing we needed to pick up. RESULT!  Thank you.

By now we’d been joined by two further enthusiastic litterpickers, taking our merry band up to five skilled workers in total.

The session after our refreshments was as productive as the one before and we ended up with a total of 10 sacks of recycling rubbish (mainly bottles and cans) and 17 of general rubbish (much of it being used condoms, lube sachets, tissues and wipes – grrrr – they don’t degrade!).

As has become the tradition at the end of a litterpicking session, some of our volunteers felt they needed to check the quality of the morning’s work by undertaking Quality Assurance checks throughout the woods. There’s nothing like being assured of a bit of quality in the woods after a litterpicking session!

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

A fine day to be out in the woods – sunny, warm and dry. Unfortunately several of our regular ‘OWLs’ weren’t able to be there. In fact, even on such a good day for cruising in the woods there weren’t many guys about.

Nevertheless there was a reliable band of guys willing to get stuck in to litterpicking.

Safety briefing over, it was off with litterpickers and rubbish sacks to deal with the inevitable mix of bottles and cans, used condoms, lube sachets, and other sexual debris abandoned along the paths and in the Hot Spots.

In fact, the Hot Spots were only lukewarm! Some of them had already been spring-cleaned using the ‘brush everything – leaves, twigs, condom and sachets – into a pile and scoop it all up’ technique. Good at colllecting the obvious stuff but lots of sexual debris gets left behind (for the OWLs to deal with). Nevertheless, every little helps.

The OWLS are well-versed at moving strategically through the woods – including when they are litterpicking! Steady progress was made.

It’s quite normal for nature to call while in the woods. Look carefully to see a stream of ‘piss’ on the far side of the tree. This OWL has a long reach! Anyone into Watersports?!!

With a good haul of litter already collected it was time for our well-earned refreshments, a chat and a joke or two.

Then off to deal with some other areas. We’re pleased that most of the ‘permanent’ bags that we’d put up are being well-used. Thanks to those who are choosing to put their rubbish in one of these rubbish bags, or in the bin. It’s just as easy as throwing it on the ground.

Oh yes, that Owl having a piss in the woods. Not all is as it might have seemed. What a hoot!!!!!

Two teams continued working on different areas, eventually returning to base to tie up the bags and display them carefully, ready for collection from the roadside.

Despite there being less litter around, nevertheless it was another impressive haul – 27 of our usual sized bags (including 10 bags of recycling).

Thanks, guys.

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

A change of day this month (we usually litterpick on the second Tuesday of the month), but it suited our lovely band of volunteers, all of whom were there at the start, or soon after as a result of heavy traffic, to get stuck in to some serious work.

Safety briefing over, we seemed to go our separate ways rather more than usual. This was potentially going to be a ‘lone working’ litterpick. During the morning we came across a number of items possibly more diverse than we’ve seen lately. More of that later.

It wasn’t long before our OWLs were filling their sacks with litter ranging from litter that anyone might have thrown away to items that it seemed obvious would only have been discarded by guys cruising in the woods.

lovingly handmade – but not so lovingly discarded

Lost a phone? The case is still there – ironically near the fuck tree where many must stop dreaming and experience reality.

Sadly there was no phone inside.

Good progress was made with a few of our group eventually joining up and working together.

Good to see that ‘a packet of three’ is still in use!

Then, with time the enemy marching on, we were ready for a break from litterpicking and time for the traditional refreshments.

After our break – during which there are always interesting and humorous tales recounted – it was off for more, with our excellent volunteers ensuring that they covered as much of the area, including as many of the ‘hotspots’, as possible.

Rubbish sacks we’ve left in some of the hotspots are being well-used and needing occasional replacement.

We are used to finding unusual items – though in this case it begs the question – Is this unusual for this location?

sadly the batteries were flat!

Lost some car keys? Might these be yours? They are (were) on the top of the litter bin in the car park.

All good things must come to an end – although so keen was one of our volunteers that we had to go searching for him. (And he’s taken some litter sacks and a litter picker so that he can do some more work before our next ‘official’ OWL litterpick).

What a fantastic total – a record-breaker – the equivalent of 52 of our usual-size rubbish sacks, including 21 bags of recycling.

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

We were missing some of our ‘regulars’, but we made up for it with some ‘extras’. And we were joined briefly at the start by one of our founders who helpfully stocked us up with some extra supplies.

Huge thanks to everyone who took part in the event today, our regular August litterpick.

It was more of what we usually do, really. We progressed round and through the usual ‘hotspots’, picking up the usual range of litter and debris: cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles which went in the recycling bags, and condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, tissues and wet wipes in the ‘general rubbish’ bags.

With tenacious volunteers we know that we can be sure of the cleanest of litter picks. We want the woods to be good for everyone who uses them for whatever reason. Many, especially those with children, will view used condoms and the other sexual debris as offensive and that can lead to complaints. We want to avoid that so that horny cruising can go on uninterrupted.

Some of us know most of the ‘hotspots’ and it’s good to introduce others to them (strictly in the process of litterpicking, of course!). Soon we were amassing our loads.

There comes a point in our litterpicking sessions when we’ve collected so much litter that unless we return to the car park we’ll have to leave some of the sacks behind. So we do, and of course that’s a good opportunity to have a break for tea and coffee.

Always a good time to continue the banter. And to welcome another occasional litter-picker, and say farewell to one of our number who had to leave.

Then onward, with two groups heading off in different directions, aiming to get to the parts previous litterpickers hadn’t reached. We ranged far and wide. Again it was good to see that many of the bags we’ve left hanging on trees were being well-used. It still beats us why guys prefer to chuck their rubbish further away in the bushes than close-by in a rubbish sack.

And finally, having covered a very large area of the cruising ground, it was time to get all the sacks together, staple or tie them up, and place them for public display (and collection of course) beside the road. Another impressive load – the equivalent of 28 of our usual-sized rubbish sacks.

Was it something in the air, or was it just coincidence, that a number of positive comments were made about the OWL litterpicks today?!

Both as we were starting, and as we were finishing, passers-by specifically came over to thank us for our efforts. And two comments on Squirt, made by OWLs who couldn’t be with us today, also captured the moment:

“I’d recommend it to anyone who has a few hours to spare this morning. It’s not as nasty as it sounds, and actually we have quite a laugh at the madness of it all.”

“They do a fantastic job in keeping the forest areas as clear as possible from litter.”

We couldn’t agree more!

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

With our next scheduled Litterpick not taking place for another two weeks a message had come through to the OWL Hub, from one of our men on the ground, that several of the rubbish sacks were full to overflowing.

OWL Rapid Response (ORR) kicked in and in less than 24 hours one of our senior OWLs had dropped in, completed a round of the entire area, and dealt with the various full sacks. This was certainly a Code Flashing Blue response. We’re not complaining about full sacks! We like them! And it’s good that litter is being disposed of considerately.

Never one to forego an opportunity to maximise on his time in the woods our excellent volunteer reverted to Code Green and in addition to emptying and replacing full and overflowing sacks, he went in deeper and dealt with litter in some of the hot spots. Incidentally, while there he found a ticket wallet, presumably having fallen out of someone’s pocket while their attention was on other things. Email OWL (owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com) if you know who it might belong to.

Here’s the impressive haul that our hard working OWL volunteer collected. Six sacks of recyclable rubbish and three to go to landfill.

Thank you to all who dispose of their sexual debris and other rubbish considerately.

Our last litterpick finished a bit early due to the RAF 100 Flypast, and our next litterpick isn’t for nearly a month so three of the ‘original’ OWLs decided they’d do an extra session. (We are wondering, as the correct word for a group of OWLs is a ‘Parliament’, if this group of guys would be a ‘Cabinet’ of OWLs?!).

Because some of us like to use the area at times other than litterpicks we knew that there were some places that needed a special visit. Despite increasing numbers of guys using the bins and bags, some are being so well-used that they are overflowing.

We were strictly on Code Red. Go to a particular place and collect litter there; no distractions taking us to other places; no taking a quick grab at some litter on the way.

With three skilled volunteers on the case it wasn’t long before several areas were cleared and a number of strategically-placed rubbish sacks had been emptied. So naturally it was back to base for some well-earned refreshments.

Then, with the ‘Collection Responsibility Advisory Protocol’, reduced to Code Amber (work together as a group, but less formally) it was out for more, with visits including: The Gymn (litter level not bad; rubbish sack being used); The Late Dirty Den’s (similar, but a shame more guys don’t find it easier to use the rubbish sack rather than throw their used condoms and foils in the bushes); and other places we know are hotspots of activity. In fact we found one new hotspot. Useful to know its location should the need arise!

Given the tinder-dry (rather than Grindr-dry) state of much of the vegetation we were surprised to see a number of previously discarded-while-still-alight cigarettes, some of which could easily have caught surrounding vegetation alight. That could have led to the loss of the cruising ground!

Eventually we reckoned we’d done our thing, the C.R.A.P. level was reduced to Code Green (do your own thing, end up at the car park at some point today), and by various routes we made our way back to the car park to staple and stack the rubbish sacks.

Not a bad haul again today – the equivalent of 20 of our standard-sized rubbish sacks.

Thank you to all who dispose of their sexual debris and other rubbish considerately.

(Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

With so much going on we weren’t sure how many of our lovely volunteers would turn up. And one of our most regular volunteers was going to be away having the pleasure of dealing with two huge organs (well, who wouldn’t turn down such an opportunity?!). Nevertheless we were pleased to welcome an enthusiastic group of willing volunteers. Our deadline was 12.57 pm when we reckoned the RAF 100-plane flypast would pass overhead; and we reckoned we would be in a good place to watch it.

So, as usual, we set off,  heading for each of the ‘hotspots’ which we treat as our priorities. Many users of the woods would find the amount of sexual debris there offensive. And we’d prefer that not to happen. It could lead to complaints and complaints could lead to ‘enforcement’. (Meaning regular patrols by Epping Forest Rangers – technically ‘constables’ – through the cruising areas.).

Lots to do, especially as we aimed to empty the rubbish sacks that we presume some well-meaning soul has left there, although they don’t seem to have considered that they need to be emptied.

Unsurprisingly there were plenty of drinks bottles and cans around. Lots of tissues and wetwipes. Quite a few condom foils and lube sachets. And used condoms. It’s our stock in trade. We’re used to it. And, given the amount of ‘action’ that the good weather, and reports on ‘Squirt’ seemed to have encouraged, there was a pleasing amount of litter in the various rubbish sacks, and relatively little in each of the hot spots. We’d dealt with ‘The Gymn’ and ‘Honeysuckle Corner’ (much less fragrant in this dry weather) before it was time to head back for our refreshments.

There’s always interesting conversation and friendly banter while we have our refreshments. And with men in uniform arriving to deal with a minor fire there were certain distractions.

But there was no slacking as we had a deadline to meet. So while one group headed off to deal with the area to the left of the car park, another headed to ‘(the late) Dirty Den’s’ and the nude sunbathing area. There was plenty to do.

With impeccable timing we made it back to base in time, with an impressive number of rubbish sacks filled with a wide range of litter.

Then out of the woods and off to the open areas of grass to watch the fly-past. We reckoned we got a good view.

The fly-past over it was time to head back to deal with the litter tally. But that didn’t stop our volunteers picking up rubbish on the way.

It took a while to seal the bags and arrange them carefully. The final tally of bags ready for collection at the side of the road – the equivalent of 45 sbe (small bags equivalents), plus a few bags left for collection elsewhere.

An excellent morning’s work. Well done to our brilliant volunteers.

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

Another of our regular ‘second Tuesday of the month’ OWL litterpicks at which we were pleased to be joined by three new guys who had heard what we do and were willing to join in – thanks, guys.

With the Safety Briefing over we took our usual route along the paths and into the various Hot Spots (some might say ‘orgy areas’) that are a feature of cruising at Snaresbrook. We like to consider the needs of cruisers and one of our party was ready with his secateurs to trim back vegetation which might otherwise scratch legs, or worse still, nether regions. Many of the paths are now much easier to access.

Wow! The idea that the place is much better without loads of rubbish and sexual debris seems to be finding favour with a lot of guys. There was very much less litter in practically every Hot Spot we visited. Possibly helped by us leaving black rubbish sacks which were being very well used. Here’s one Hot Spot BEFORE we started litterpicking. The rubbish sack was half full and there had been practically nothing thrown onto the ground.

 It was clear that our new volunteers soon picked up the hang of using litterpickers and were soon experts at the task.

 Whoever left clear rubbish sacks along a number of routes through the woods had maybe done a good job of distributing them, but didn’t seem to have considered that they also needed to be emptied. Nevertheless it was good to see them being used – practically no litter surrounding them – and it seemed only fair that we empty them. Well, at least those which were still in a state where they could be re-used.

Lots of litter picked in an hour or so then back to base for some welcome refreshments and the opportunity to offer drinks to guys showing an interest in what we were doing – and planning to come and help at the next litterpick. Our friendly ‘core team’ always enjoy the banter during our break.

Then onwards again, our aim being to visit more of the Hot Spots where we have left rubbish sacks. And joy of joys (some of us are easily pleased!) THE SACKS ARE BEING USED, leading to much less litter on the ground.

OWL is in its fourth year of litterpicking and we are seeing an ongoing reduction in the amount of sexual debris around the place. More guys are taking their litter away and more guys are using the rubbish sacks.

Having finally brought all of the sacks back to base and prepared them for collection we were justly proud of today’s haul.

 The final count? An impressive 21 sacks of rubbish – much of it ready for recycling (don’t worry – the used condoms weren’t put in the recycling sacks!)

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)