Category Archives: Pix and Picks

A sunny day and a walk in the woods! What’s not to like?

Just four litter-picking volunteers today – but all skilled and three of them able-bodied!

It’s Spring! Someone’s come well-prepared for multiple sessions!

Our keen volunteers dealt with the litter and sexual debris both sides of the car park, eventually returning with multiple full sacks. We’ve added some extra rubbish sacks to an area being more frequently used for crusing than before.

Then time for a break, refreshments and a bit of a chat.

Time to be off for more litter-collecting, dealing with areas further away. Someone seems to have misinterpreted the ‘bring some poppers’ message!

Then back to base one more time, with the sacks being placed on the road for collection. Today’s haul equates to 22 of our standard size rubbish sacks.

In the last month our brilliant ‘solo’ volunteers have been out and about regularly. The equivalent of 41 standard-size sacks collected by them. Giving a grand total of 63 sacks of litter in just over a month. Amazing!

 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 for litterpicking and a good team of five volunteers to do it.

 Safety briefing over we headed off in two teams.

Although much of the area has been cleared of vegetation we OWLs know where to look!

Whether it’s in the bin or on the ground it gets collected. (such a pity that some guys can’t see that there’s a rubbish bag right beside where they carelessly chuck their litter).

Someone’s doing some advertising….

(PLEASE NOTE: The display of this sign on the OWL website does not indicate a recommendation or endorsement by OWL!)

With the entire area having been cleared, time to return to Base.

And to enjoy a chat and some well-earned refreshments.

Then simply the task of placing the bags at the roadside ready for collection.

Our total today – the equivalent of 17 of our standard-size rubbish sacks. Plus 29 collected by our solo litterpickers. Giving a total of 46 since our last OWL litterpick.

 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.

Several of our regular litterpickers had understandable reasons why they couldn’t take part in the litterpick today. Meaning it was left to three of us to get the litterpick completed. Not a problem. We just got on with it.

Funny what you find in the woods. This was beside what was, before the clearance, the nude sunbathing area. Someone was maybe looking to be power-drilled?!

We were looking for something filling of a different nature – refreshments!

Then, since we’d cleared the main areas and emptied our bin and rubbish sacks, an opportunity to sweep across the cleared area, finding litter that had maybe been there, hidden in the undergrowth, for many years.

This sack was once in a very secluded hot spot that had in the past seen a lot of horny action. Probably wise not to have any repeats now?

Finally back to the car park for the tying of the bags and placing them ready for collection.

Today’s haul amounted to the equivalent of 11 of our standard-size bags. Plus 32 sacks collected by four volunteers who undertake ‘solo’ litterpicking. Making a total of 43 sacks in the last bit-more-than-a-month.

 Good work!

 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.

Our first OWL litterpick of 2025. With the Habitat Restoration Project having done its nasty work there were less areas to visit, but nevertheless there’s still plenty of cruising going on in the areas that are left. Which is very good news. The bad news is that guys are still leaving lots of litter around. Which means that there’s a greater likelihood of complaints. Complaints can lead to ‘enforcement’.

But we OWLs are a positive, can do, group who value the opportunities that a good cruising area can offer. So, as usual, after a brief visit from an OWL generous enough to bring some refreshments, we set off cheerfully to clear the cruising area of sexual debris and other litter. Sometimes we litterpick alone. Often we work in twos and threes. Today we had four of us litterpicking. Two teams of two.

Although fewer areas to visit, there were still plenty of the cruising areas to cover.

 We took the opportunity to instal a number of rubbish sacks in ‘hot spots’ – nooks and crannies where guys go for some horny action. Hopefully these will be used for used condoms, sachets and wipes. And hopefully the twat(s) who has slashed and burned the sacks in the past, leaving piles of litter below where the sacks had been, will have got a life by now.

 A bit chilly, so we earned our warm mid-session refreshments. Our very kind OWL who couldn’t stay for the litterpick had dropped off some delicious, freshly-baked, sausage and vegetarian rolls. They went down well with hot drinks and other sweet goodies.

On to the other side of the car park after our break – the area between the car park and Eagle Pond where there’s plenty of vegetation to cruise in. Between us we collected quite a lot of litter there including the inevitable used condoms, condom and lube sachets and wipes. But at least it proved that there’s been some action there.

Then back to base to tie up the bags and place them at the roadside for collection by the Forest Warden refuse truck which calls by every day.

Today’s haul: the equivalent of 17 of our standard-size sacks. Added to the 24 equivalents collected by our three ‘solo’ litterpickers making a total of 41 sacks-worth.

 Another good haul.

 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.

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.