Hides and woods

 28 April 1 hr litter pick to Tern, Goosander and both Ivy Lake hides plus laybys where paths cross Ellingham Drove. Litter not too bad. No other issues.

Nicky

Nicky

 26/04/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North  Usual path and hide checks. Bramble and trip hazards trimmed.

Issues of note: ? bird carcass on spit between Lapwing and Goosander - north bank towards east end.    North end of boardwalk, tree reported last week has lowered more. Few more small twigs cut however lowest branch needs cutting with a saw. Catherine aware and hopes to remove what she can this afternoon.

Sightings of note: pair of stonechats in front of Lapwing hide; the black swan to west of Tern hide; a significant number of black headed gulls seen on the scrape - ? affect on lapwings. GWE reported over Ibsley early morning. Little gull seen flying over Ibsley. Reed bunting on shore in front of Tern hide.

To Tern and Ivy Hide

 21st April

30 mins litter pick to car parks, Tern and Ivy N hides.  Couldn't get at all of the dirty litter in bushes beside the path to the centre from 1st car park- at end furthest from centre.

Nicky

 19/4/2025  9.00 - 13.30  Blashford North & Pound.  Path and Hide check. Usual bramble trimming - beginning to increase with new growing season.

Issues of note: Rail from road to Goosander turn - a post and two rails down now. Propped back up but not likely to last long!!!!! ? Needs urgent attention.  Tree lowering over the north end of the boardwalk - managed to remove some small branches to increase head room, but trunk could lower more quite soon.

Has an 'arm' on the swift tower been moved/added this week to adjust the recording?

Tern seen on post in front of Lapwing hide and reported sightings at Tern hide. WTE reported as flying over north end of Ivy Lake/Ellingham Drove midmorning - seen from Goosander hide. 13+ black-headed gulls scattered across and 'protecting' the Pound rafts plus several more on the shore and flying around.

Native bluebells emerging well alongside the Dockens Water.

Ivy Lake and Tern Hide paths

 14th April 11.39 1 hr litter pick both sides of Ivy Lake and to Tern Hide.  Cleared some small woody debris no issues.

Nicky

 12/04/2025  9.00 - 13.30  Blashford North  Paths and Hides check. Fence from road to Goosander hide turning deteriorating rapidly!! - at least 2 rails broken loose in central section.

Some rubbish thrown out in front of Goosander hide. Did not go out to collect it due to active sand martins and other birds present.

Bird carcass seen, up from the shore line to the right of Tern hide - not seen before.

Bird sightings: Approx 10 Lapwing on the spit between Lapwing and Goosander hides. At least 5 sitting Lapwings in scrape plus equivalent number of others seen from Hanson Plant screen,  plus others reported. Common and Green sandpipers seen from Goosander and Tern hide, plus Redshank, Marsh Harrier flying over. Maccoa duck reported. Little Ringed Plover x2 reported.

 05/04/2025  9.00 - 12.30  Educ. Centre and Blashford North  Cleared around the sandpit. Checked paths and hides on the north side. 

2 visitors were seen at the rear of the area by the Swift Tower. They had heard of the rare bees seen earlier in the week and were hoping to see some. I explained that visitors were asked to keep to the paths and avoid straying 'off piste' due to impact on habitats, wildlife, breading birds etc. One asked if it was possible to go on a guided walk led by the Reserve Officer which would take them to areas not normally accessed by visitors. I explained that wasn't the usual practice but to find out the possibilities they should contact Jack and would need to make contact before the day they would like to come. They did indicate that they would be prepared to pay a fee.

Another visitor had seen the new bench in the Hanson Plant and asked if that meant visitors could go there. I indicated that we were still awaiting permission from Bournemouth Water to open the area.

8 lapwings seen on the spit between Lapwing and Goosander hides. Nigel reported seeing some sitting on the scrape.

1st April 2025. Tern Hide, Hanson, Rockford Path, and Spinnaker west side.

At Tern Hide 2 female Goosanders and possible sitting Oystercatcher on Spit Island (see pic), Hanson area: 7 Lapwing (incl 3 pairs) and a Stonechat. Along Rockford Path there were 2 Blackcaps in song and on Spinnaker there was no sign of Oystercatchers.