18/04/2026  9.00 - 13.00  Dockens Water path and North side. Usual hide and path check. Minimal trimming required as yet. Ed accompanied me for half the morning and may have noted some additional issues. 

Issues of note:

• Small tree blown down across the northern path from the south side tree line - pushed back onto the hedge but still attached, could do with cutting, especially as the CES is due to start soon.
• Two visitors with dogs seen on the South side. One coming down the path alongside the Track - ?labrador type on a long lead [seen by Nigel]. One on the heathland area behind the car parking site at the top of the drive - Husky cross on a short lead - [seen by me, latter's owner reminded of  Reserve restrictions].

Sightings:

• Mallard and Tufted Duck pairings seen on northern Silt Pond, plus a female Mallard with 5 ducklings.
• Sand Martins very active at Goosander Hide.
• Mistle Thrush seen on the scrape.