31/01/2026  9.00 - 13.30  Dockens Water path and North side.  Path and hide check.

Issues of note:

• Branches in the Dockens Water and collecting debris, principally in the 30 metres before the Rockford path.
• Verges of the Eastern path, particularly the first half, north of the path divide, awaiting clearance of broken branches and some vegetation.
• White plastic bag at the base of the bank on the far side of the Clearwater pond, seen from the bench in the Hanson plant.

Characteristics and sightings today:

• Water level in Ibsley almost covering the rails in front of Goosander hide.
• Most of the birds on the north and north-west areas of the lake - good mix of species, very few on land. ?some species taking advantage of the flooded areas along the Avon valley.
• 2 red kites flying south, high above the Welcome Hut at lunchtime.

 24/01/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water Path and North side.  Path and hide check.

Issues of note:

• small wheel [?source] found alongside Dockens Water. Returned to Welcome Hut, left alongside the ramp.
• door handle loose at Lapwing hide. ?new screws and/or plugs needed.
• plank near north end of boardwalk feels 'spongy', ?rotting.

Geoff brought in some skeletonised mole and other [?rat] carcasses to hand on to Chloe. In the blue plastic bag left on the moth trap in the water tank shed.

 17/01/2025  9.00 - 13.15  Dockens Water path and North side. Path and Hide check. Usual twig and small branch removal. No immediate major issues but issues for attention in near future:

• Slim branch overhanging eastern path from the left hand side, approx 30m north of cross path near the first bend - potential to drop further.
• Some clearance needed on the verges north of the east and west path divide
• Not unexpectedly, drainage channels need clearing/improving at east end of cross path and on path to Goosander.

Two 'tent' pegs hanging alongside a fence post on the northern path [ ?Brenda's used for mist nets] plus  brown peaked cap found in the Tern hide. All returned to Catherine at the Centre.

Tern Hide area and Ellingham Lake

 12 Jan 1hr litter pick car parks, Tern Hide and viewpoint and around Ellingham Lake. 7 goosander on Ellingham Lake.

Nicky

 10/01/2026  9.00 - 12.30  Dockens Path and North side. Usual path and hide check.

Issues of note:

• ? Swan carcass on Ibsley Water; in from the western shore, opposite Lapwing hide.
• Seat/walking stick left in Tern Hide. Taken over to Chloe at the centre.

Otherwise path and hides clear.

Circuit of Ivy Lake

 5 Jan 1 hr circuit of Ivy Lake, litter pick pr bullfinch s end of Rockford Path. No issues.

Nicky

 03/01/2026  9.00 - 12.30  Dockens Water path and North side.  Path and hide check. 

Issues of note:

• The boardwalk is icy/slippery ++
• Now the water level in Ibsley has risen substantially, the shore line vegetation in front of Lapwing hide needs cutting to allow visitors to see the birds on the shore. I think sandpiper and wagtails were there this morning!
• There appears to be some foam in the centre of the Scrape - seen from the viewing screen in the Hanson Plant. ? source
• Some of the hide windows are not always being closed or secured.

Door grid and camera in the Hanson Plant still in place.

29th December 2025. 13.15 to 14.40. North Hide, Lime Walk, Ivy South to Woodland, Tern Hide

Nothing to report. Just outside Reserve there were 50+ White-fronted Geese and a Bean Goose on the watermeadows at Ibsley.