Wild Walk and to Goosander

 23 June 1.5 hrs in total litter walk to Goosander hide, woods, entrances and  Wild Walk. Some litter, no other issues.  Nice board at Swift Tower! Otter seen again Ivy S.

Nicky

 21/06/2025  9.00 - 13.30   Blashford North   Bramble & trip hazard trimming. Hides checked. Path to viewing platform trimmed. Bin lid found by path in Hanson plant; ? dropped off trailer on the return from sign fitting near Goosander on Tuesday.

Needing attention: Verges and nettles on eastern path need cutting in several places; worst part beyond northern most bench.

Sightings of note: Pair of Great Crested Grebes nest building on furthest branches at the foot of the bank, SW of Goosander hide. 4 ponies seen in Section 2.

Tour of hides

 16 June 1.5 hrs in total litter walk to all hides except Ivy N.  Also around car parks and entrances.   Bramble needs cutting back on path to viewing mound at Tern car park.

3 people saw otter at Ivy south.

Nicky

 14/06/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North    Bramble trimming and hides checked.

Needing attention:          Eastern path beyond crosspath - verges/nettles require cutting, worst areas -leading to and north of northern most bench.

Issues of note:        Willow trees turning brown++ , particularly those around the reedbeds, east and west,  ?cause.

Sightings of note:      Large 'flotilla' of greylag geese on Ibsley ?due to moulting.  2 roe dear resting on bank SW of Goosander hide. [seen there last week as well]

No ponies seen.

To Goosander hide

 9 June 45 mins litter walk via woods and car pull-in to Goosander Hide.  Muntjac near lower car park.  Some litter and dead fallen branch moved off path no other issues.

Nicky

 07/06/2025  9.00 - 13.15  Blashford North.  Usual path and hide check.

Requiring attention:

1. Nettles along verges++        2. Reeds alongside the boardwalk.      3. Branches drooping over boardwalk - midway along.  4. Rotten board at the beginning of Lapwing hide ramp.

Sightings of note: 1. Dead rabbit on verge of Eastern path, just north of the crosspath.    2. Flock of 32+ great crested grebes on lake in front of Lapwing hide.    3. Large flock of Greylag geese in the centre of Ibsley Water, a few more on the shore/spit island. 

4 ponies in section 2 on western shore. Interesting/charming small mammal seen by the Centre - Nigel investigating.

Round Ivy Lake etc

 2 June 1.5 hrs in total litter walk around Ivy Lake, Ellingham Pound and woods to road entrance.  Not bad no issues.  1 Dunlin on Ibsley earlier.

Nicky