27/09/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North.  Path and hide check plus:

Paths and bank raked at fence repair point. Two issues need a bit of extra work

1. Clearance of bramble on E bank, south of crosspath, where it is still attached, and the attached stems at the corner where the vegetation has been removed. 

2. Deepening of channels near the corner leading under the eastern fence, that drain flood water from the path during the winter. Shallow channels started to indicate the positions required.

 202/09/2025  9.00  -  13.00  Blashford North  Usual hide and path check & trim.

Issues of note:

1 Section of Mockbeggar fence down at eastern end of cross path with several posts broken - ? from deer activity. Probably no immediate risk of livestock escape from Mockbeggar as no grazing appears to be going on in the vicinity at present.

2 Western screen overlooking silt pond on north path - fungi present 2-3m away at the bottom of the bank to the right, and at the base of a small group of young willow that, if removed, would give a much better view from the screen!!

5 ponies seen in Section 2

Some visitors have been asking if the recording from the swift tower will be switched off for the winter as probably not needed at the moment?

 13/09/2025  9.00 - 13.15  Blashford North  Usual path and hide check. Brambles and trip hazards trimmed where possible. No obvious problems except for the following.

Action needed:

Goosander Hide - latch of front, low window worn and not consistently locking on opening the window. Danger of falling onto visitor's head. Temporary action taken. Small stone placed at back of latch to help alignment and more consistency in locking but not guaranteed to be a secure repair. Latch is old and probably needs replacing ++

 06-09-2025  9.00 - 13.00   Dockens Water path: light branches have dropped into the stream near the low rail.

Blashford North: Sign by the entrance from Ellinghan Drove had lower tape removed and DOGS written. Tape has been replaced and writing covered. 

Action needed: 

1. Bramble bush extending over the eastern path on the first bend after the cross path.

2. Branch has cracked and dropped over the path to Goosander.

Sightings:

Osprey reported flying south around 8.30am. Spotted Flycatcher reported in the clearing by the new bee bank.

Lapwing Hide : 5 ponies in front of the hide. Harris Hawk seen flying over Ibsley plus a group of 3 Buzzards.

Tern Hide: Clouded Yellow seen flying in front of the hide.