16/12/2023  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North  Increasing numbers of pintail, shoveler etc on Ibsley. Buzzard resting on feeding platform for substantial time, magpies joining at times. Great white egret flew onto spit between Lapwing and Goosander hides. Increasing trip hazards++ on path to Tern Hide as exposed sheeting develops folds alongside gravel that has been washed away. Leaves on boardwalk near Lapwing hide could do with removing to reduce dangers of slipping.

Ellingham Drove and Goosander Hide

 11 Dec 30 mins 9am to Goosander Hide, some litter removed. 2 goosanders close. Over 300 pintail. 11.30 another 45 mins litter pick alongside Ellingham Drove.  Redwings in the woods.

Nicky

 09/12/2023 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. Hides clear. Beautiful rainbows over Ibsley in the morning. More gravel washed from path across to Tern Hide. On the south side a visitor reported 'trailing/overhanging brambles that need attention' on the far side of Ellingham Lake. Probably on the south end between the Hut and the Hurricane. 

Goosander hide

 30 mins 9.30am 4th Dec visiting Goosander Hide.  Small amount of litter removed at Hide and near layby entrance.  No other issues.

Nicky

 02/12/23 9.00 - 12.30 Blashford North. Visibility poor ++ over Ibsley Water due to mist - only cormorants squabbling over perching posts!! and a few tufted ducks and coot visible. One key task is the need to cut/coppice the western most willow on the bank to the left of the sand martin wall to enable a clear view of the feeding platform from Goosander Hide - reported to Catherine. 

 25/11/23 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. Water level in Ibsley Water still rising such that the rail in front of Goosander Hide is now completely submerged, only the top of one upright visible. All else appears OK except for the large quantity of gravel washed off the path over to Tern Hide. 

Circuit of Ellingham Lake

 20 Nov 11.30 1 hr litter pick around Ellingham Lake and to pedestrian entrance off Ellingham Drove, where most litter found

 18/11/23 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. Water levels in Ibsley Water still rising such that the rail in front of Goosander is practically covered and one of the rafts has floated away from the shore whilst the other has one corner under water!! Falling tree by the Mockbeggar fence near the east end of the cross path has dropped a bit further. Hides all clear.

Circuit of Ivy Lake

 I hr 11am to 12 13th Nov.

A lot of litter collected in Ivy Lane, very little on paths through reserve.  No other issues. Updated Tern Hide sightings board.

Nicky

 11/11/2023 Blashford North  9.00 - 12.30 Beautiful morning weatherwise. Appears to be a change in the % of gulls to 'ducks' on Ibsley today. - more ducks, less gulls. Still not huge numbers though. Issues/hazards reported to Catherine.

Goosander and Rockford paths

 6th November checked Goosander hide no litter but some around road entrances.  Path fine despite recent rain. Also Rockford Path to the screen no problems.  Water receding at Tern Hide car park but leaving mud.  On the path to the hide the surface gravel has been washed to the side.

Nicky

 04/11/2023  Blashford North 9.00 - 12.30. Unsurprisingly effects of heavy rain apparent. Issues of note reported to Catherine. Evidence of gathering in Goosander Hide - probably yesterday. Benches moved, bag of rubbish left, fortunately only right hand window left unlatched.

 28/10/2023 9.00 - 13.00. Blashford North. A number of issues/hazards resulting from the wet weather, reported to Catherine. Highlights: Fallow deer rutting in the area north of the cross path. Heron chasing a Great White Egret across Ibsley Water. Beautiful rainbow over Ibsley during the morning showers.

Goosander Hide

 Monday 23rd Oct 12 -1 to Goosander Hide.  Sweet wrappers and can in hide, more litter at road gate.  All removed.  Beautiful male goosander on view.

Nicky

 21/10/2023  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North. Trimmed brambles and nettles hanging over the path as usual. Cleared drainage channel to east of path, level with cross path, to help drain lying water. Group of 5 Goosander came onto the spit in front of Lapwing Hide, and joined a Common Sandpiper.  

Lapwing Hide map

16th Oct pm a visitor showed me a photo of a map in Lapwing Hide showing a seasonal path open in  summer to Mockbeggar Lane.  I was not aware of it and consulted Chloe.  It is long closed so I amended the map to clarify, using a black white-board marker as recommended by Chloe.  Also picked some litter outside the hide.

Nicky

Goosander and Wild Walk

 11 am 1 hr to Goosander Hide, some litter removed around entrance gate. Then Wild Walk, cut a few stray nettles and bramles. No litter.

Nicky

Jacki - Saturday walk (N side)

 14/10/2023  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North. Handle broken off on far left hand window in Tern Hide.

Rockford Loop

 Circuit of Rockford Lake 1 hr from 11.30 paths in reserve all good and litter free.

Nicky

 07/10/23 9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North. Area down to shore in front of Lapwing Hide awaiting clearance. Some reed growth along the boardwalk needs trimming back. I believe the rubbish, ?old balloons, on the scrape to the left of the Hanson Plant screen are still to be collected. Otherwise all appears OK.

 23/09/23 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. Verges on both east and west paths to Lapwing need cutting back, particularly the nettles. Worst part is north of bench on eastern path. Reeds also falling over the boardwalk probably due to the wind and rain during the week. Lapwing and common sandpiper on spit in front of Lapwing Hide but view limited by vegetation on the shoreline, which needs clearing. Report given to Catherine regarding presumed flood damage on path to Tern Hide. Potential trip hazards.

Goosander and Wild Walk

 18th Sept 11.30 and 1.30 fir 1.5 hrs total, visited Goosander Hide no issues. Later Wild Walk very little litter but Ellingham Lake E path could do with cutting back in places, especially southern end.  Mainly nettles.

Nicky

 Jacki 16/09/23 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. Shoreline needs clearing in front of Lapwing Hide. Just managed to see a lapwing on the spit [first for a long time] just before it disappeared behind the vegetation. Some rubbish inside Goosander Hide, otherwise all else appeared OK except for the verges that need trimming.

Jacki 09/09/2023 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North   All appears OK although the verges could do with 'mowing', and nettles cutting back particularly near the northern bench on the eastern section of the path to Lapwing. Hornets nest at Lapwing growing well! but situated at a distance which is unlikely to affect visitors.

 Jacki 02/09/2023 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. A lot of weed in the bay in front of Goosander. Not sure of the reason/cause. A flock of cormorants were chasing around Ibsley; possibly driving Carp fry and fish into the bays as they did last year, This may have stirred up the weed in the water. One cormorant was seen struggling to free itself from the water at one stage in front of Goosander. Heron and egrets were watching and following ?hoping to take advantage of some potential food. All else appeared OK.

Some visitors were very keen to find out what interesting fungi was about. Might be worth another fungi Blog, Pete!!

Ellingham Lake and Ibsley

 Litter walk to Ibsley Viewpoint and Ellingham Lake circuit. Also checked Goosander Hide.  No issues, some litter removed.  Busy day. 1 dog walk sent elsewhere.

Nicky

 Jacki 26/08/23 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. ?Hornet's nest in the bird box attached to the screen on the south side of Lapwing Hide. Otherwise all else seems OK.

 Jacki 19/08/23 9.00 - 13.15 Blashford North.   All appears OK. Small amount of rubbish, drinks cans, outside Goosander hide. Good sightings of kingfisher fishing and feeding at Goosander early this morning, plus firecrest along the Dockens Path towards the Rockford entrance. Photographed by a visitor. 

Reptiles: grass snake released from under the cover of the sandpit by Catherine first thing, and I saw both a male and female adder in separate places on the north side.

Walk to Goosander Hide

 Monday 14th August 11.15 1 hour to Goosander Hide, small amount of litter near road entrances, nothing else to report.

Nicky

 Jacki 12/08/23  9.00 - 13.00.  Blashford North  All appears OK. Some of the sightings from this morning:

• A commotion of coots
• A swim of cormorants
• A dole of doves
• A sord of mallards
• A gaggle of geese
• A water dance of grebes
• A screech of gulls
• A crown of kingfishers
• A circlage of martins
• A plump of moorhens
• A booby of nuthatches
• A colony of sand martins
• A lamentation of swans
• A volery of wagtails
• A descent of woodpeckers

Ref: Fanous. S (2014) A Conspiracy of Ravens. Oxford. Bodliean Library, University of Oxford.           Images: Bewick. T (1797 - 1804) History of British Birds.

Oak blocking Rockford Lake path

 7th August 11.30 to 11.30 

Large oak across path between Rockford and Ivy lakes.  Only passable by crawling/crouching.  Chainsaw job.  I picked some litter here and cut back overhanging nettles, brambles etc. here and near Ivy North.

Nicky

 Jacki  5/8/23  9.00 - 13.00   Blashford North. Entrances to the Reserve on both sides of Ellingham Drove had large puddles. Drainage channels were cleared as much as possible and the water had gone down considerably by midday. The boardwalk on the north side was slippery because of the rain. May need a warning notice until mesh replaced or turned over. Otherwise all else appeared OK. Regular sightings of kingfisher at Goosander now, plus a fly by of a Hobby and a well worn Red Kite!!

Goosander Hide and Ellingham

 Monday 31 July 

9.15 to 9.45 visited Goosander Hide, no litter, 2 tufted ducklings and some returning pochard.

12 noon 1 hour around Ellingham Lake. Very little litter. Cut overhanging brambles on western path and nettles around the southern bench.  Saw little grebe juvenile with parents.  Also g c grebes feeding and trying to teach juveniles to feed themselves close to Ivy South hide.

Nicky

Last week I heard someone complaining about the sticky door at Tern Hide. Visitors tend to slam it, potentially causing birds to take flight. It's been like it for some time. I've also been wondering if it's possible to create a site plan of the reserve for staff/volunteers which names all the different woods, paths, open areas, etc. Once or twice in recent weeks colleagues have referred to a location which I haven't recognised. I'm happy to pull out my graphic design hat and put one together.

 Blashford North 9.00 - 13.30. All appears OK. Kingfisher seen at Goosander Hide by visitor. ?First there for a while.

Jack M - 25th July - Ponies moved to eastern compartment

15:00-16:00. 

Hi All,

Thank you for blogging away and keeping us updated on goings-on around the reserve. 

Just so you are aware, we moved the ponies to the eastern shoreline of Ibsley today, so don't panic if you see them grazing in front of Goosander/ Lapwing hide. The shoreline has been further compartmentalised this season into 3 areas highlighted blue (west), yellow (north) and green (east) on the attached map. 

The livestock lookers will be carrying out their usual daily checks. If you would like to get involved helping with this, we have another looker training session in Winchester this Thursday (27th July) so please let me know if you are interested by the end of play tomorrow and I'll add you to the list.

Cheers

Jack

Grazing compartments

Meeting the neighhhbours

Happily moved into the eastern compartment following installation of a new Hampshire gate

To Goosander Hide

Monday 24th July 11.45 for 1 hour walked to Goosander Hide, all tidy on the way but removed picnic debris from the hide.  Still sandmartins in and out.

Nicky

 Blashford North 9.00 - 12.50. All appears OK. Found disposable vape in Goosander. Not sure how to dispose of it now that Waste Services no longer want them put into general waste bins!! Left in kitchen for appropriate disposal and guidance for the future.

 Blashford North 9.00 - 13.00. Birch tree down across path on long route to Lapwing Hide, between the path division and the cross path. Able to drag it onto the verge to leave the path clear.  Some small pieces of branch on the rest of the paths but were easy to clear. All else appeared OK.

Circuit of Ivy Lake

 10 July 11.15 to 12.15 walked all around Ivy Lake.  Litter picked.  Path by Rockford Lake partly blocked by fallen Sallow.  Removed enough by hand to clear path more but needs saw and loppers to finish off.

Nicky

 Blashford North 9.00 - 13.30. Reeds alongside the boardwalk from Lapwing Hide need trimming. Windows in Goosander Hide left open although no rubbish or signs of anti-social behaviour apart from writing scorched below left hand window that I believe has already been noted. Everything else appears OK.

To Ivy and Ibsley Lakes

 Monday 3rd July 11.30 to 12.30 walked to both lakes and Woodland Hide to check birds for new sightings list for July.  Also 9 to 9.45 in Tern Hide.  Small amount of litter removed at road crossing.  Sightings boards updated, feeders stocked. No issues.  Regular visitor reported 1 hawfinch Woodland Hide 30 June. Several reports of leucistic chaffinch there today but gone when I got there.  Good to see large nos healthy bh gull chicks despite Avian Influenza infection elsewhere.

Nicky

Blashford North 9.00 - 13.00. All appears OK. Issues still to be addressed are 1. Balloons in Hanson Scrape at base of bank to left of viewing screen. 2. Repair/renewal of the top rail in the fence beside the Hanson Plant Entrance. 

Message from a visitor on west side blackboard in Tern Hide asking for the door to be repaired.

Sightings of note: At lunchtime a small fox club came round to the tables under the shelter behind the Ed Centre before being disturbed by a group of visitors when it then disappeared around E pond and into the woodland beyond.  Silver-washed Fritillary, Comma and Green Veined white all seen flying around the ponds. 

Lapwing Hide loop

   26 June 11am to 12 walked Lapwing Hide loop.  Some litter removed near the entrance., a few larger sticks moved off path.  Very quiet.

Earlier at Tern Hide saw 3 female shoveler back and nice to see juvenile little ringed plover.

Nicky

Saturday 24th June, 10.00 - 13.30. Seating arrangements

During the Hut shift we were approached by a woman who queried the lack of seating with back rests in the picnic areas. She and her husband had visited with her 92-yr-old mother who was very frail and unable to remain upright on back-less benches (On this occasion one of her carers had to stand behind the lady to prevent her from falling backwards). In future I wonder if it's possible for this lady to borrow one of the Hut's chairs? Or even, at a future date, have a bench with a back rest for the elderly? Just a though.

Blashford North 9.00 - 13.00. All appears OK. Around 12 midday an adult Grass Snake was seen in front of Tern Hide; coming up from the shore line in front of us and disappearing under the Hide. One other topic - some visitors did comment this morning on the reduction in frequency of postings on the Blashford Blog.

The risks of summer verge strimming

I’d like to bring up the subject of verge strimming, stimulated by the extremely vulnerable Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera, I spotted today beside the viewing platform path near Tern Hide. In this particular case the spike was quite short and was not damaged, but most Bee Orchids are taller and it would have been damaged by the strimmer. Admittedly, they are not easy to see. Question: is strimming during the summer months of June and July entirely necessary? I understand that path-side brambles and nettles need to be controlled — but flat, grassy areas? As an example of the damage that can be done, the strimming of a healthy colony of another Orchid, Broad-leaved Helleborine, along the eastern Ellingham footpath during late June 2022 is a grievous memory for me. The species is mainly green, but there was general knowledge of the plants’ presence among staff at the time. This year I hope that any strimming of the Ellingham path grass verges is delayed until after the orchids have set seed. Hopefully the policy will also be considered in other areas of the reserve.

 Blashford North 9.00 - 13.00. Items of note;

1. A section of the 1st low rail beside the Dockens Water, on the path to Rockford Lake, is cracked probably due to someone sitting or standing on it.

2. The 'No Access' sign on the gate at the Goosander end of the Hanson Plant is missing.

3. The last log at the compound end of the Education Car Park, on the right hand side, had again rolled forwards. Have propped it with a second log but probably needs a more secure fixing. It is known to get caught under the rear of some vehicles and dragged forwards.

Wild Walk

 June 13th 1hr 12-1 during my day at the Welcome Hut went to Ellingham Pound and the Wild Walk.  Well grown bh gull chicks on Ellingham Pound.  On the path to the east of Ellingham Lake between the mushroom and acorn sculptures  there is some overhanging vegetation in one spot.  Kingfisher belted up the stream.

Nicky 

Ellingham Lake loop

5th June 1 hour around Ellingham Lake 12 -1, during my stint at the Welcome Hut.  Nothing untoward to report but nice to see a kingfisher crossing Ellingham Pound as I haven't been seeing them lately.  

Earlier 9.15 to 9.45 checking out Tern Hide for the new month's sightings and updated board and the one by the hut. 

 Blashford North 9.15 - 13.30 All appears OK except for the patches of nettles on the verges of the east and west paths to Lapwing Hide, which need cutting back. 

Fox seen in Hanson Plant. Den appears to be in the bramble bush on the opposite side of the path to last year's den. Entrance off the concrete slab to the west of the bush.

 Blashford North 9.00 - 13.20. All appears OK.

 Blashford North  9.00 - 13.15 . Dark blue/green Pick-up truck seen on driveway to Main Car Park, 10 yards before the Hanson Plant gate. Appeared to be scouting the Hanson Plant area. Turned around and left when he saw me walking through the Hanson Plant towards them. Registration number : H123 FBN.  ? Unusual number. This vehicle was not recognised when number checked on line by Catherine. Also carried a red and white registration number plate propped in side window. Unable to read the number.

 Blashford North 9.00 - 13.30.  All appears OK.

Wardening blog intro

Hi All, thanks signing up to this blog. I'm hoping it will be a good means of communication between volunteers and staff to keep track of day-to-day checks, issues and points of interest. 

I know some of you do wardening already but for those that haven't, it essentially involves walking around the reserve and reporting on issues with infrastructure, fly tipping, trees coming down across paths engaging with the public, checking & cleaning hides, litter picking etc. The more eyes and ears we have around the reserve, the better we can keep tabs on everything. 

Could I please ask that you blog every time you carry out wardening, even if you don't have much to report, and please use the following format:

• Start & end time (so we can keep track of you and report volunteer hours to our partners)
• Area of reserve you covered
• Anything you might want to report

Many thanks

Jack

 Saturday 1pm.

Water level in Main Car Park rising. Access to Tern Hide and Viewing Platform still possible.

Drainage ditches at main entrances, close to Ellingham Drove, are blocking up.

Evidence of inappropriate use of Goosander Hide. Some 'smoking' rubbish and rearrangement of furniture! One bench on end and propped up against the wall. No obvious damage to the Hide.