30/08/2025 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North. Usual path and hide check. Bramble and trip hazard trim where possible. New rail looks good!!!!! No obvious problems except the outside of the western/large windows in Tern Hide need cleaning++
Sightings: Black tern still reported on Ibsley; Teal and Great White Egret on Gull island. Still a few Sand Martins flying around.
Only two ponies seen near the base of the spit between Goosander and Lapwing but others easily hidden by nearby bushes.
Busy bank hol so just a short litter and bramble walk on Wild Walk. Black tern Ibsley Water, red crested pochard still on Ivy Lake. Also 2 young great crested grebes with adult.
Nicky
23/08/2025 9.00 - 13.15 Blashford North Usual path and hide check, bramble and trip hazard trimming where possible. No new problems except for substantial leaf drop littering entrances and ramps to hides. Replacement rail alongside the path to Goosander hide turning looking good!!
Sightings: Great White Egret on Gull island, Little Egret on spit in front of Lapwing hide. One of the Great Crested Grebe eggs has hatched on the nest in front of Goosander hide.
Only four ponies seen on the base of the spit between Lapwing and Goosander, but the fifth could have been hiding behind bramble to the south.
18 Aug 1 hr down Rockford path. Some litter removed, brambles pushed back. Red crested pochard female on Ivy Lake.
Nicky
16/08/2025 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North Usual path and hide check. Bramble and trip hazard trimming where possible. No new issues seen beyond those already reported.
5 ponies seen between Lapwing hide and spit to the south. Juvenile pied wagtail performing well in front of Goosander hide. Great Crested Grebe still sitting on nest to the left. Most of the Sand Martins appear to have left now.
11 Aug 1 .5 hrs in total litter pick and bramble trim around Wild Walk and to Ivy N and woods. No other issues.
Willow Emerald damselflies on boardwalk nr Ivy S (not my find). Flock of migrating willow warblers in trees by Ed Centre.
Nicky
09/08/2025 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North Paths and hides check. Brambles and trip hazards trimmed where possible. Hides appear OK.
From Lapwing Hide 5 ponies seen on spit between Lapwing and Goosander. From Goosander a buzzard seen on the same spit searching/feeding on items on the ground - not sure what! Bird carcass hanging from the wire mesh surround, on the southern raft in front of Goosander.
Action required in preparation for the migrant birds return - cut/mow the vegetation along the shore line in front of Lapwing hide to clear sight lines to the spit and the shore. Possibly around the spit between Lapwing and Goosander as well. And clear the shore in front of Tern Hide.
On south side, vegetation needs trimming behind the sign about the Dockens, on the left near the top of the drive. Currently not able to see the areas referred to on the sign.
02/08/2025 9.00 - 13.00 Blashford North Path, hide and main car park check. Hides seem OK.
Action points:
1. Left-hand verge of eastern path, beyond most northern bench, needs cutting, ? with BCS, to remove trip hazards.
2. Action to restore sight lines over Ibsley Water from the viewing platform before migrants begin their return:
- Cutting of trees along north and east hedges around main car park
- Cutting of trees on the lake side of the northern hedge
- Cutting of trees within the bramble on the slope in front of the platform, and to the eastern side of the path up to the platform along the car park edge. The latter to restore the sight line to Spit Island.
5 ponies seen on spit between Lapwing and Goosander.
