06/06/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Bramble, nettle and reed growth increasing. Brambles trimmed where needed. Small branch removed from Dockens Water path. Branches trimmed where drooping over paths on the north side - all of eastern, northern and western paths in places. 

Issues of note:

• Reeds dropping over the boardwalk - trimming required.
• Dead branch drooping over east side of western path, north of cross path, trimmed but could do with cutting back harder. [see entry of 23/05/2026]
• Nettles on verges need trimming ++ - eastern path, north of bench beyond the cross path;  western path, north of the east/west path divide.

Ellingham Lake

 1 June tent/fishing shelter on path east of Ellingham Lake.

Nicky

 23/05/2026  9.00 - 13.45  Dockens Water path, North side and Hanson Plant. Path and Hide check. Bramble trimming increasing. 

Issues of note:

• Tape replaced on the sign inside the gate to the North side. It was covering a 'Dogs Allowed' sign that someone had illegitimately added to the signpost. ?replace with black paint.
• Mother and daughter seen cycling on north side, not close enough to stop. 'No cycling' sign needed at the gate from the road and also probably at the western end of the Hanson Path.
• Some residual black tape removed from direction signs to the Car Park, which is unnecessary now that the Hanson path is open.
• Sanding completed on the shelf in Lapwing Hide.
• On the western path, a short distance south of the cross path, two small trees were overhanging the path. The one on the western verge was alive - I bent it around into the bay to the north, but it may well spring back in the wind - ?needs cutting. The one on the eastern verge was dead - I trimmed it as much as I could, but could do with cutting back further with a saw.
• Empty can dropped outside the south side window of Goosander Hide. I did not retrieve as I didn't want to disturb the sand martins.

Sightings of note:

• Carp very active in front of Lapwing Hide.
• Sand Martins active at the wall

 16/05/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North and Dockens Water path. Hide and path check. Increased bramble trimming and a branch trimmed that was hanging over the north end of the eastern path.

Issues of note:

• Dead female fallow deer at the western end of the Cross path, behind the trees on the north side, beside one of the deer crossing points. ?Recent. No obvious signs of animal or bird predation since death. Looks bloated - ?pregnant or bloated since death.
• Hanson Plant. Grid bent out and a pile of nuts and washers on the ground. All left over from last week's activity?!!!!

 09/05/2026  9.00 - 13.30  Dockens Water path and North side. Usual path and hide check. Need for bramble trimming increasing!!! 

Issues of Note:

• Out of hours use of Lapwing hide. Some rubbish left, including cigarette ends. Record diary missing. Pen had been used to draw, and scribble some inappropriate phrases on the shelf in front of the low window.
• Masking tape has been removed from some of the signposts, particularly those indicating paths through the Hanson Plant to the Tern Hide and Main Car park.

Sightings of note:

• Great White Egret in the Silt Pond near Lapwing hide, another on the western shore. 
• 2 Ravens seen on the north side of the spit between the Lapwing and Goosander hide.
• Blue tit appears to be feeding young in the Swift Tower!!!
• Sand Martins active both flying for food plus ?feeding young in the nest sites.
• Few butterflies seen except for 10+ Speckled Wood.
• Still some Common Terns remaining in front of Tern Hide.

02/05/2026  9.00 - 13.30  Dockens Water path and North side. Usual path and hide check. Bramble trimmed where necessary. Ibsley Water quite quiet re birdlife, however several Carp seen in front of each of the Hides.

Issues of Note:

• Recording notebook and bird identification book left in Lapwing Hide - returned to the Centre.
• Probable use of Goosander hide on Friday evening - empty bottles, cans and some litter left in the hide.

Sightings of note:

• Marsh Harrier seen flying over silt pond near the Lapwing Hide.
• Oyster Catcher seen at tip of spit between Lapwing and Goosander
• 4 very vocal Common Terns seen in front of Tern Hide.

 25/04/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Usual path and hide check.   Bramble trimmed where necessary.

Issues of note:

• Grid wrenched away from the doorway of the Hanson Plant building again. Only held by the bottom bolts. Catherine notified and photos taken.
• Additional debris removed and bramble cut back from the verges of the path near the tree taken down on Mockbeggar.

Sightings:

• Male Marsh Harrier seen from the western screen on the northern path, perched in a tree at the west end of the Silt Pond. Then took off circled a few times before flying off over the north end of Ibsley.
• Sand Martins very active at the wall.
• 3/4 Common Terns seen in front of Tern Hide.
• 5 Black Terns seen flying around at the north end of Ibsley.