Wednesday 31st January

 Met several people walking and a couple of joggers on their own. Picked up small items of litter plus a couple of cans and bottles. Found a pair of black gloves under the bench by the dipping stream and left them on the bench- hopefully the owner will find them. Nobody we saw queried why the path up to the northern end was still closed.

With Sam's permission I have put up a poster advertising the events organised by the Winchester Local Area Volunteers for HIWWT on the Durngate entrance notice board. Hope you can join us this winter/spring.

Anne and Tim Ardill

Tuesday, 30th January

Over-topping remains in No Mans Land & Swimming Pool meadow, though with diminishing energy (vs last week). No other person around. 

Sunday 28th January

 As I walked in from NML through SPM, I saw some bobble-hatted walkers ahead and assumed the reserve had opened while I was away.  The locks on the outer gates suggest otherwise!  Some litter as well; people are breaking in to eat crisps.

Post by Durngate knocked down (the one with the membership poster).

Very noisy this morning.  Saw a grey wagtail and and a couple of awfully common snipe, and Merlin picked up a treecreeper and siskin amongst the usual crowd of tits, robins, wrens.  Some amorous squirrels too.

Friday 26th January

 A splendid morning. The full moon in my back as I watched the sunrise.

The water is still a feature along the paths with no dry way through the T-junction to the pond. A fair bit of path erosion as well. One tree fallen across the path, as reported by Adrian. Lots of small branches on the paths, presumably from the high winds. I cleared up the larger ones. Lots of Songthrushes again, with three by the pond, singing fit to burst from the tops of trees.

Wednesday 24th January

 The male mallards looked resplendent in the morning sunshine. No sign of the beautiful red admiral butterfly spotted a few weeks ago but then again we have had freezing temperatures and gales since then.

Friday 19th January

 

Out and about by 0740. Sky already light but sun didn’t pop up over the Moors until after 8 (no chocolates were harmed in the making of this pun). Quite a bit of damage to the footpaths apparent as the water levels continue to recede. Lots of sheet ice though so I was tippy-toeing around in places. My garden thermometer said -7C when I set out. Itchen level at the Durngate sluice gates was down a mere 2cm from a week ago although in general across the Reserve levels have dropped by about 10cm. 

The level of bird spotting in recent blogs is excellent with first prize currently going to the Firecrest observation 👏. I’ve not ever seen one on the Reserve -  only Goldcrests. For anyone interested, they are both our smallest bird. Both have a yellow/orange racing stripe on their heads. The Goldcrest has a ‘standard’ face below that while the Firecrest continues the vibe with horizontal stripes across the cheeks. Both have high thin songs but the Goldcrest’s is more rhythmical with a flourish at the end. I saw a flock of Siskins in the trees by the River Park entrance and some Redwings by the pond. A Mistlethrush rattled away as I entered No Man’s Land.

Thursday 18th January - gave it a miss today

 Nothing to report primarily because I didn't go today, at Sam's suggestion!

Wednesday 17th January

 Dull and chilly. Had a quick inspection from North Walls recreation ground entrance- icy under foot didn't go all the way round.

Anne and Tim

Monday 15th Jan

Water levels down from last Monday with the path alongside the playing fields now “only” has 2cm to 5cm covering it. Boardwalk infrastructure and bridges all ok.

Sunday 14th January

Wellies needed a wash...

Well, Winchester has that outdoor pool it always wanted, and later in the week, an ice rink.  Another side hustle to add to the b&b and funeral business.  This time next year, we will be millionaires.

Water up to 3/4 welly deep in places, paths eroding fast.  Some videos below (actually just one, the other is too big.  Can send separately).  Litter by the glade, which suggests someone is getting in.  Boardwalks much the same as usual.  

Birds galore: Robin, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Wren, Grey Wagtail, Long Tailed tit, Firecrest, Snipe and Kingfisher.

Met a lovely gentleman by NW gate who was disappointed that the reserve was still closed.  I showed him the photos and videos.

Pond photo shows how much the water levels have dropped since Tom's visit on 5th January

*Reminder: I am away next week*

 

Friday 12th January

 A leaden sky and a thin wind at dawn. Blackheaded gulls flying north from the coast in V formation. Water only down about 2 or 3 inches along the paths. Sam saw several Common Snipe along the boardwalk yesterday and sure enough I flushed out a pair. Lots of Songthrushes singing about, but no Cettis heard. Carrion crows seem to find the wet ground good for feeding as there were a lot about, including in the meadows up north. It is all still very much submerged.

12th Night (Fri 5 Jan) Hydromania

 Arrived at dawn and noted the usual gaggle of social swimmers. Was rather surprised to see that the two streams by the footbridge had joined up, making the footpath disappear beneath the waves. I carefully waded (anti-clockwise) towards the pond and the Durngate. Using my wellies as a measure I found that the deepest parts of the path were about 30cm or 1 foot in old money. I was startled by a lot of splashing and thought that I might have disturbed the Roe deer but no, it was two middle-aged male runners gamely sploshing along towards me. They apologised for their stupidity - you don’t often get that, do you ? The ‘pier’ on the pond is now full of water and looks like a miniature harbour. It could become a model boating lake if we aren’t careful 😄. Counted four Songthrushes around the pond, all in good voice.

Thursday 4th - passing by only

Exited the North via Swimming Pool Meadow where there was a lone deer. Chatted to a lady who thought she was hearing thrush songs. Came across this pair fast asleep by the track - they only woke up when I coughed (politely, of course).

Can't do Wed 10th January

 Apologies for the short notice but we can't do next Wednesday 10th January.

Anne and Tim

Wednesday 3rd January

 Good to be greeted with sunshine and a heron this morning. 

A tree has come down in the recent stormy weather at the NE corner of the rugby playing field close to the site of the old outdoor swimming pool. Not on the reserve but now lying across the stream flowing along the southern edge of RCM.

Chatted to a good number of people making the most of the morning sunshine and explaining why the path has had to be closed beyond the board walk. Everyone appreciated the problem!

Reported to Sam that we had found some rough camping gear by the bench at the stream dipping area. He's bringing a wheelbarrow on Friday to remove. Collected up a plastic bottle but otherwise spent time clearing small branches from the boardwalks and path. 

Anne and Tim 

Tuesday 2nd Jan (staff check)

 The water levels are high and look to increase. I'm meeting Winchester City Council to discuss what impacts the site might undergo in an event such as 2014.

The path is heavily eroded in SPM (as you all know). Therefore, I've locked the gates shut with signage. Please ensure they remain locked and signage stays in place.

Thank you all for your help,

Sam