26/07/2025  9.00  -  13.00  Docken's Path from top of drive to Rockford entrance and Blashford North..

Requiring attention on Docken's Path:

1. Over the path going up from the top of the drive is a low hanging oak tree branch.

2. Just before the Rockford path turning, logs are in and partially blocking the Docken's water.

3. On the path from the road, where it bears left towards the bridge and Moyles Court path, the supporting posts of the dead hedge have been pulled out/knocked over!!!!!

Sightings:

Great White Egret flying across the south end of Ibsley. Pairs of great crested grebes nesting - one pair at the west end of the birch trees in the water along the south west bank at Goosander, another pair just beyond the northern tip of Spit Island.

The 5 ponies seen just north of Lapwing hide, coming out of the trees immediately beside the hide, ie. from the woodland west of the Silt Pond!

Goosander and Lapwing

 1 hr 21 July litter pick to Goosander and Lapwing hides plus pull-in.

No issues except litter.

Nicky

17th July Rockford and Spinnaker

From Centre down Rockford path - cut back a lot of brambles and other overhangs. Path will need some work inside the next 2 to 3 weeks in places. Path passable from sailing club to entry gate at Spinnaker North side. Pleased to report that there was no litter or any evidence of nonsense around the lake - could only walk so far due to thick gorse bush next to the donkey field. Gave Pete a verbal update.

 19/07/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North  Usual path and hide checks. Bramble reduction on eastern path beyond cross path has improved access++. Verges beyond the northern bench still need cutting. As does the repair to the rail alongside the Clearwater pond. No obvious misuse of Goosander hide this week.

Sightings: Limping Lapwing on spit in front of Lapwing hide although doesn't seem to hinder it's movement much. The 5 ponies seen on the shore south of Lapwing hide. Deer carcass on western shore in section 2, south of the rails in the water.

Late post re 30 June

 30 June 1.5 hrs in total walk around Wild Walk and full circuit of Ellingham Lake cutting back brambles and some nettles. Not much litter found.

Nicky

 12/07/2025  9.00  -  13.00  Blashford North  Path and Hide check. 

Issues of note: 

1. Verges of eastern path, beyond cross path, need cutting to maintain path width.

2. Goosander hide windows left open. ?Smell. ?used for drug use previous evening.

3. Empty cans dropped in Hanson Plant.

Sightings of note: 

1. 6 well developed Common Tern fledglings with 2 adults on spit in front of Lapwing hide.

2. Dead carp in the water to the right of Goosander hide.

 05/07/2025  9.00  - 13.00  Blashford North  Usual path and hide check. Good to see that the lack of rain had slowed down the bramble growth!  No obvious problems except the verges of the eastern path do need cutting ++  A willow tree arching over the path a short distance south of the board walk does look as if it could come down at some point, in the not too distant future.

At last the spit in front of Lapwing hide is now visible above the water. Did see one stranger in the Goosander hide though................It was Jim. Great to see him and catch up. Was filling in time at one of his favourite places before he picked up his son from a birthday party at Moors Valley!