29/11/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens path and Blashford North. Path and hide check. Removal of fallen twigs from paths. Primary areas requiring leaf blowing when circumstances permit are Dockens Path, from the footbridge to Rockford path. On north side, from the road to east and west paths to Lapwing hide as far as the cross path.

Sightings of note:  2x WTEs on the Somerley side of Ibsley Water. One resting for a while at the top of a tree on the Somerley side of the road, level with a point just north of the gate between sections 1 and 2 - best view form Goosander. Also the 2 were seen flying around in that area from both Goosander and Tern hide. 3 visitors came across from Jersey today specifically to see the WTEs!!!!!  - they were very lucky!

 22/11/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North and Dockens Water path.  As anticipated, leaf blowing required on large parts of the path alongside Dockens Water to Rockford Lake entrance. Plus parts of north side, particularly southern sections of east and west paths and the boardwalk. The latter slippery from rain and leaves. 

Drainage channels opposite the eastern end of cross path require clearance and 'enhancement'.

Pile of felts, approx 30metres south of Boardwalk, awaiting collection.

Potential willows by the cross path and round the Tern Hide car park, suitable for weaving material, reported to Chloe.

Tuesday Nov 18 2025. 10.40 to 12.10. Hanson, Lapwing circuit, Goosander, Dockens and Tern Hide

Nothing to report other than the Lapwing path boardwalk being quite slippery in the frosty conditions. Be careful on such mornings. Three Green Sandpipers from Lapwing and good views of a perched Buzzard from Goosander.

 15/11/2025  9.00  -  13.00  Blashford North. Usual path and hide check.  Dead tree cracked and falling to the right on eastern verge of path to Lapwing hide, beyond the Goosander turning. Not over the path but could fall onto the Mockbeggar fence. 

Empty vodka bottle found behind the bench next to where the Lapwing path divides. As expected leaves ++ in places. Boardwalk slippery. Hanson Plant - door grid and camera both in place. 'New/temporary' generator very noisy.

Hides busy ++ but seem OK. No WTE sightings during the morning. 

Friday 7th November 2025. 13.15 to 15.25. Spinnaker Lake, Tern Hide, Hanson area

Nothing to report from Spinnaker. The rain prevented a longer look in the open. I'm impressed with the tidyness of the anglers; they rarely leave any signs of their occupancy. Nothing to report from Hanson. A lot of interest at Tern Hide with an adult WT Eagle having spent all day there up to 15.30. Also a sudden increase in gulls on the water. The WT Eagle also roosted overnight and was at the lake the morning of the 8th. Distant pic attached.

 08/11/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North. Path and hide check. No obvious problems.

Brenda, Kevin & Co bird ringing in and near Lapwing hide. All hides busy. 

Sightings: 

Firecrests, goldcrests, tree creepers, wagtail and kingfisher seen by visitors along the Dockens Water.

White tailed eagle flying in north west corner of Ibsley. 

Numbers of birds and different species on Ibsley Water now starting to increase ++. 

Hanson Plant: No evidence of fishing. Door guard and camera, both in place.

Thursday 29 October 2025. 10.15 to 12.45. Ivy South then Lime Walk, Ivy Lane/A338 corner entrance, Ellingham Lake Walk, Tern Hide and Hanson path.

Nothing to report at Ivy South. Still plenty of fungi along Lime Walk but the Willow hut is a bit tatty. I then checked the signage at the Ivy Lane/A338 entrance and scratched my head for a bit. The welcome sign allows dogs to enter on leads, but a secondary directional sign a few metres along Ellingham Walk has no reference to dogs at all but has an arrowed sign to the right, for the Lime walk, with a total restriction on dogs (attached pics). To my mind this allows dogs on leads to continue along Ellingham without a sign to the contrary. Is this not very confusing and against the rules? Ellingham Path showed no sign of trespass and the gate into the pound area was correct. All in order at Tern Hide and Hanson.

 01/11/2025  9.00 - 13.00  Blashford North+  Path and Hide check. Bramble trim plus removal of twigs/small branches blown down. Large branch/small tree removed from western path, north of cross path. Couple stopped from riding bikes along path to Goosander.

Reports from visitors:

1. During the last couple of weeks a person was seen coming along the shore near the Osprey Platform. He returned back east when he saw a person in the Lapwing hide watching him.

2. A visitor who had used the new screen along the Rockford path reported that one of the window locks could not turn as the wood of the window frame had swollen in the rain. He felt if the lock was lowered a little it would work OK. He thought the new screen was a very good addition.