31/05/2025  9.00  -  13.15  Blashford North  Usual path and hide check. Bramble trimmed where necessary. Nettles growing ++++ and needs team effort to clear. Reeds encroaching onto the boardwalk and ready for the usual annual cut. 

Sightings:  Stonechat in front of Lapwing hide. Sand Martins active ++ at Goosander hide. No grass snake seen in the wall!! but a male adder seen at the base of the western end of the bank, on the approach to Goosander hide. Little ringed plover, redshank and lapwing - both adults and a well developed juvenile, seen from Tern hide. Only one Speckled Wood and one Comma seen.

30th May 2025 Tern Hide, Hanson path, Goosander and Lapwing via the north circuit 10.20 to 12.15

On Tern Hide a large flock of at least 25 Gt Crested Grebes were seen following a shoal of fish, I assume. They were diving almost simultaneously which was rather surreal to watch. Also seen were a pair of LRPs with a chick. From the Hanson path frame I heard and saw a displaying LRP. Nothing to report from Goosander and Lapwing but on wayside nettles there were quite few Ladybird nymphs. Other insects included Mergamerina dolium (pictured) and Atyhalia rosae. Near main car park I found White Deadnettle (pictured)– the only plant I have found at the reserve.

Wild Walk

  1 hr circuit on Wild Walk plus Ivy S and Tern Hides. Just some litter no other issues but next time will take seccateurs as brambles and nettles are starting to reach walkways.

Nicky

 24/05/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North  Bramble trim. Some nettles trimmed but needs a 'team' approach now. Branches hanging over boardwalk trimmed back a bit. Likely to need a more extensive trim in the near future. All hides OK.

Only three adult Lapwings seen from the Hanson screen, but view not great with growing vegetation. 2 very active/protective Lapwings seen from Tern Hide and two juveniles also seen there. Sand Martins active at Goosander but no activity seen at the Swift Tower.

4 ponies seen in section 1, on the western shore.

Litter round

 19 May 1hr in total litter walk to Tern, Goosander and Ivy South hides.  No issues except tape as reported last week.

Nicky

 17/05/2025  9.00  -  13.00  Blashford North  Usual bramble trim. Nettles on verges of east path, north path and south end of west path need cutting back. [? verges of south side paths as well].

Issues of note: 

1. Gentleman seen viewing over the top of the screen on the east side of Tern Hide.

2. Visitor reported seeing a fox in front of Lapwing hide with a gosling in its mouth - not sure whether a Canada goose or a Greylag - pairs of both species in the vicinity.

3. 2 groups seen sitting out on the lichen heath well beyond the dragons teeth at the top of the drive - moved without any problems when asked to. Catherine notified.

Sightings of note:

2 good sized juvenile and 4 adult Lapwings seen on scrape from the Hanson Plant screen

A Little ringed plover, Oystercatcher, Common sandpiper and a couple of very protective Lapwings seen around the small island and spit to the right of the Tern hide.

Sign needing attention

 12 May 1 hr in total litter picks around Ellingham and Ivy lakes - not Ivy Lane. Found black tape in woods by sign at jct at base of steep slope.  Realised what they were in time to refix 1 piece on the sign but caught the other on plastic bag so not v satisfactory.

Nicky

 10/05/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North  Usual bramble and nettle trim - growth appears to have slowed somewhat ? due to lack of rain. I understand some trimming is required along paths between the hides etc on south side.

Sightings of note: Cuckoo very vocal in reed beds. 2x Common sandpiper on birch trunk SW of Goosander hide plus one on small island to right of Tern hide. Very little Lapwing activity seen apart from a very active/defensive one on the shore to the right of Tern hide. Otherwise Ibsley quite quiet.

On returning to the south side saw 2 gentlemen watching Great spotted woodpeckers entering and leaving a nest in a telegraph pole to the east of the gate back into the south side - had been standing watching for 2 hours approx!!!!!

Triathlon prep seemed to be going well.

 03/05/2025  9.00 - 13.00   Blashford North     Usual bramble and trip hazard trim -growth increasing!

Issues of note:  1. A car parking at the top of the drive seen driving onto the lichen heath to turn round. Broken posts taken from pile left by the hedge and laid along line of 'dragon's teeth' to remind visitors of the boundary until replacement completed.

2. As per messages of last two Saturdays, the tree lowering over the boardwalk at the north end still needs cutting back!

3. Fresh gull carcass on the shore to the west of Tern Hide.

4. Rafts at Goosander Hide - right hand raft tilting, bung of SW corner float partially under water.