all quiet

 1 runner, 1 walker, 1 photographer, 1 duckling, 1 sedge warbler, 1 moorhen, 0 deer, 0 litter. Not at all bad. Despite Saturday night water fairly low and passable in trainers. Fair bit of song again.

Sunday 28th April

 A few people out and about

Irises popping up by the boardwalk.  Cowslips in the picnic glade.

Saturday 27th April

Spectacular birdsong this morning, with lots of Goldcrest around the meadow and willow warbler at the paddling stream, plus Reed Bunting at the pond. Clear sightings of Greater Spotted Woodpecker, female blackcap and this Heron, who let me watch him for ages. Happy chats with happy visitors, and the Flag Iris are coming out. More signs of drinking though, with many more beer bottles than recent weeks.

Thursday 25th April - all good

All good, but didn't see Paul's cuckoo.  Sedge warblers very visible today. A few enthusiasts and others out - appreciative of the state of the reserve. No immediate maintenance issues (SPM path now a big job). The side rail on the cross-walk has reached crumbling stage (see pic) - one for the long-list.

25th April and a cuckoo?

A lovely sunny start to the morning.  Drying out well in the main but still too much damage at top loop. On the positive side, spotted a cuckoo [as far as I know] will post photo ASAP.  Second positive is that there were no inconsiderate joggers which is super. Lots of bird action all over and the deer too. Enjoyable couple of hours. 

Wednesday 24th April

 Finally people able to walk round without needing wellies! Met a party of nursery children all enjoying a picnic on the pond dipping platform. Met Sam again with members of the ecology team inspecting the fungus ridden tree leaning over the park stream by the old swimming pool for signs of any bat roosts in preparation for removing it.

Anne and Tim Ardill 

all quiet

 Water levels down, only a couple of very small flows, you could go round in trainers BUT . . . what if it rains again? Durngate gauge down to 50cm. Long may it continue.

No usual runners. 1 runner 1 walker and 1 deer.

Nice lot of birdsong in different parts. Spring does indeed seem to have sprung. Couple of ducklings by Trinity. Think I heard a blackcap telling me off but not entirely sure.

Sunday 21st April

 Busy today.  Walkers, couple of runners, photographers, man with a bike who I have spoken to before (the one who was nicking plants from the pond).

Yellow comfrey popping up.  

Saturday 20th April

A lovely morning. Heard a willow warbler singing near the fishing lake. I've just come back from the Lake District where they were everywhere.  Lots of happy visitors, not much litter today. The picture of lady's smock is from 2 weeks ago - over now.

cold wet and miserable

 ok, you don't need to say I'm always miserable!

Not much to report. 1 walker, 2 regular photographers and a regular runner. No litter on site, just around Durngate bench. Durngate gauge at 58cm, I think that's the lowest for months.

Heard a couple of cetti's; and sedgie's are about but missed them. Dead rat on boardwalk - dealt with. Looked squashed but pre or post mortem I couldn't say

Sunday 14th April

 Otter footprints in SPM.

The warblers are in town and lots of people out to see and hear them.

New ducklings in the mangrove swamp.

Saturday 13th April

Lovely to hear the increasing birdsong everywhere, and a great sighting of a Reed bunting at the pond. The Spring is about 2 weeks ahead of the Lake District, from where I've just returned. Medium litter, quiet, mostly runners - alas not all of them courteous! 

Thursday 11th April

 Nice walk this morning with lots of bird song, usual water everywhere.  Only spoilt by one inconsiderate jogger, yes they're back ! No attempt to slow down. No litter. Wellies still required. 

Apologies unable to do Weds 17th April

 Sorry we are on a guided tour of Butser Ancient  Farm next Wednesday.

Anne and Tim Ardill 

Wednesday 10th April

 Despite the rain overhead the water level on the paths is definitely dropping overall though still some overflowing in the usual places. Very quiet just one person walking round and only one piece of litter - perhaps the rest had blown away!

The wearing appropriate footwear sign has come loose on the recreation ground entrance gate. Didn't have any pins so tucked it behind the dog notice. Hopefully soon it won't be needed! 

Good to spot one or two yellow flag iris in flower amongst the reeds. No deer seen this week and no sighting of mum duck with her seven ducklings -  I wonder how many ducklings have survived the week?

Anne and Tim Ardill

Sunday 7th April

 A few people about. Had a nice chat with a lady visiting for the first time.

Deer by the pond, including a new one on wobbly legs, hardly bothered by the presence of humans.  Not sure if that's a good thing.

Wednesday 3rd April

 Still lots of overtopping.

Lovely to watch a female mallard take her 7 ducklings for a swimming lesson along the flooded path by the pond junction!

A single deer on the path near the pond - didn't bother moving until my phone suddenly rang about 3 metres away. 

Very quiet - met a lady from the OS near the Durngate entrance who had been sent out to check a path on the ground as trees in the way of the aerial survey. She was beginning  to realise that she was in the wrong area and we redirected her to the Hillier's Way car park and the Nun's walk.

Some litter but not too bad considering it's the school holidays.

Anne and Tim Ardill

all fool's day

 As it's a holiday there were a few families and photographers about. Thankfully all with decent footwear. Nothing special that hasn't already been reported. No deer on site but one across the river at the top of the boardwalk