07/11/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Fallen debris removed from paths where necessary.

Issues of note:

• The remaining tree of the two recorded last week on the western verge of the west path north of the cross path, would benefit from cutting back from the path edge.

Sightings

• Two otters reported crossing the path to Goosander hide this morning and entering the Clearwater Pond.
• Muntjac buck seen on the western end of the northern path
• ?juvenile Wood mouse seen beside the path towards the eastern end of the Hanson Plant

 31/10/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Path and Hide checks. Removal of small branches and debris from the paths. Trimming of brambles and trip hazards where necessary. 

Issues of note:

• Western path - south of the boardwalk, small tree down on the western side, partially across the path, a second one further south across the verge.
• Piles of reptile felts at intervals along the path verges, awaiting collection.
• Ponies seen in section 1 on the western shore. I believe collection before the 5th Nov is scheduled.

Sightings

• Otter reported at Tern Hide, seen feeding. Disturbed birds on the lake, many of which initially fled to the north-eastern corner - particularly the Coot.
• Slow, gradual increase in overwintering birds. Increasing numbers of Goosander and Pochard.
• Little Ringed Plover and a small flock of Lapwing seen.
• Green Sandpipers seen on the shore to the south of Lapwing hide. 

 17/10/2026  9.00 - 13.15  Dockens Water path and North side. Path and Hide check. Usual bramble, trip hazard and fallen branch material removed. 

No significant issues. Tree down on the right-hand verge of the western path although not impacting access. Trimming of the remaining willow on the bank in front of the Viewing Platform needed to fully open the sight lines.

Sightings:

• Brenda, Kevin and team bird-ringing from Lapwing Hide.
• Goosander, Shoveler, Pochard numbers appear to be increasing gradually
• At least 5 Great White Egret, along with Herons and a few Little Egret around Ibsley
• Red Kite seen flying from one of the small islands near the western shore - ? the location of the deer carcass attracting the WTE earlier in the week.
• Little Gull seen on Ibsley.
• No WTE seen or reported this morning.

Reserve busy this morning and numbers of visitors using the Hanson Plant and north side hides increasing. Numbers of our regular Blashford Birders/Winter Visitors appear to be increasing probably in anticipation of the winter migrant arrivals.

 10/10/2026  9.00 - 12.45  Dockens Water path and North side. Usual bramble and trip hazard trim.

Issues of note:

• Tree down on the western path, south of the cross path. Just possible to get round. Pole saw could be used to remove the branches directly affecting the path but a chain saw would be needed at some point to remove the main trunk.
• At the eastern screen on the north path there is a large tree blocking the extreme right of the view. Is there any chance of cutting the affecting branch back?

Sightings:

• Brenda and Kevin bird ringing along the north path and in the bird table field. ?50 birds caught
• Whilst at Lapwing Hide !!!!! an Adult and a juvenile White Tailed Eagle were seen flying around the northern part of Ibsley Water, exiting to the east.
• Ruddy Duck reported at northern end of Ibsley.
• Water pipits and wagtails reported on the shore in front of Tern Hide.

 03/10/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Bramble trim and twig removal.

Issues of note: [Most already reported to Pete]

• Left hand screen on North path. Small number of 'willows' still need cutting near the water's edge on the left hand side of the viewing area.
• Branch lowering over the western side of the western path, immediately after the path bisection. For future reference there is a larger tree leaning over the left hand side of the path immediately before the bisection - made need future cutting.
• Still some rubbish in the bramble to the left of Goosander Hide.

Sightings:

• Amusing sight of cormorants periodically appearing to group up ready for a feeding frenzy which alerts the Egrets and Herons into action!!!

Thursday 1/10/2026 10.50 to 12.30 Hanson path, Goosander, northern circuit, Rockford path, Dockens path, to Tern hide.

Very quiet bird-wise but lots of fungi along Rockford path. Good number of visitors.

 26/09/2026 9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Caught up with some of the bramble and trip hazard trimming.

Issues of note:

• Branches hanging low over north path ?west of the west screen. Trimmed some and bent some back between other branches, but not sure they will stay. ? Needs trimming
• Small ?binocular case on the memorial bench on the Dockens Water path - passed on to Catherine
• Water bottle left in Goosander hide and waste bags and paper still in the brambles to the left of the Hide.

Sightings:

• September cormorant feeding frenzy in operation!!! Seen herding fish into the bay to the west of Tern Hide, accompanied by Heron and Egrets!
• Flock of ?Lapwings seen flying north over Ibsley Water. ?indicator of bird movement and potential precursor to new migrant arrivals.
• 2 foals and 2 ponies seen on south side of spit between Lapwing and Goosander, one pony seen on the north side