28/02/2026  9.00 - 13.30  Dockens Water path and North side. Path and hide check.

Issues requiring attention:

• Large dead tree, just before the new pylon on the south side of the Dockens Water path, is dropping dead branches onto the path. ? needs cutting back. 
• Small tree drooping over the north end of the Eastern path. ? needs removal/cutting back.

Sightings of note:

• two male adders reported by Goosander Hide. Excited visitors managed to get a photo!!!

Fishing gear was seen being unloaded from 2 Vans parked outside the main gate on the south side - ?plus from one parked at the top of the drive. ?fishermen from the new Ellingham Lake enterprise. Catherine investigating and ?directing parking to the Water Ski Lake site. 

 21/02/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Usual path and hide check. Clearance of some remaining twigs etc. on paths from last weeks tasks.

Issues of note:

• Small tree/branches drooping over north end of eastern path
• Plastic bottle in brambles outside Goosander hide and 3 glass bottles on the bank, and one in the water, by the culvert in the Hanson Plant. The 3 glass bottles washed and left in the kitchen for removal to glass recycling point.

Outstanding tasks:

• creation of log pile, from trunks/branches on verge of eastern path, for potential lizard sightings, ref Lee Hamilton's facebook entry 17th Feb.
• clearance of willow growth in front of western screen on north path, to improve visability over silt pond.

 14/02/2026  9.00 - 12.45  Dockens Water Path and North side. Path and Hide check. 

Reserve was very Busy!!!!!  Removed some remaining debris from the paths that was leftover from the Tues & Thurs tasks.

Main issue:

Bench in the Hanson Plant has been removed/?stolen!!!!!!!!!!

 07/02/2026  9.00 - 13.15  Dockens Water path and North side.  Path and Hide check. Little trimming required.

Issues of note:

• a lot of debris collected against the old footbridge beyond Rockford entrance, large branch on the far side and a large upright pipe on the nearside!!!!
• Tin cans seen in brambles on east of path and in the Clearwater pond from the road to the Goosander turn.
• Faulty catch on the low window in Lapwing Hide. Possible to use but with care. Lower part of hook bent. ? Catherine to check.
• Two blocks of wood found in the water by the boardwalk. ?offcuts washed up by the high water level or ?blocks washed out of the boardwalk itself. Left on the ground beside the south end.
• Improved drainage channels needed from puddles on the path to Goosander
• Glass bottle found in brambles behind the bench in the Hanson Plant [ tin cans and plastic bag found there on Thursday]

Action taken:

A couple of small channels made in the sides of the large puddles on the main drive to encourage some drainage. Would it be worthwhile making some more or slightly larger channels to help in the interim until Robin can come again/drive replaced?