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.