Tuesday 29 April

A lovely day on the Moor with plenty of Warblers active at the Pond. I noted two grandparents with two very young children in tow, stepping off of the Boardwalk and trying to navigate through the bushes and small trees. I asked them to stay on the permitted path. They did comply.  

sunny and warm

 Loads of sound. Saw my first robin fledglings yesterday.

Water at Durngate 36.98. Although EA said it's been rising (despite no rain for ages) the pond looks lower

Usual runners. No litter. That's not frost in the river, it's willow seed. There's a limb down across Red Poll which is catching litter, and the moorhens were moaning about having to walk over it.

I won't be around the next 3 weeks. Look out Isle of Wight, here I come!

Sunday 27th April

 Quiet but I was early.

A fair amount of litter. Pond water levels quite low.

Comfrey and cowslips blooming.  

Chiff chaff, nuthatch, song thrush and wrens chirping away.

Friday 25th April

Few walkers with the occasional runner - nothing to report today.

Thursday 24th - all OK

A few folks around. Lots of bird activity at the pond (more than usual). Quite a few of the thorn whips planted in the swimming area are showing leaf - a relief after the dry spell after planting. The main boardwalk has some new maxims for passers by to consider … and the rusty wheel rim left by the Red Hole Stream bridge is now in the main entrance rubbish bin, as is a used fire extinguisher someone had kindly donated …

Saturday 19th April

The laminated 'no dogs' sign on the Durgate fence at the entrance was torn off and too damaged to put up again. Graffiti on the River Park bridge and dog mess on the path to the pond. Got rid of both. 

Lovely to see the Ladies' Smock coming out.

Mostly pairs of runners, well behaved. 

Easter Monday

 Sorry I forgot to report last week's round. I did do it, honest. With my granddaughter helping. Nothing to report as it happens.

today, there's been 4mm rain in the last week and river is as low as I've seen it for ages. That seems likely to change. I was out early enough not to see many people. 2 regulars, 1 small family and 2 runners. Clear bird footprints at the Pond and cowslips at the Glade. Very little litter except a car wheel at Swift's bridge, too big for me to move today. There's also a pile of metalwork across the river at Colson Road, but clearly came out of the main channel. I wonder if it's the same group who found unexploded ordnance on Saturday by Twyford Lock. Clearly lots of holiday activity around and very dramatic.

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Friday 18th April

Lots of bird song on site this morning and very few people. The chalk board has been cleaned and updated to.

Thursday 17th

Lovely sunny day, the reserve very quiet only saw one person. There is a log blocking the Red Hole Stream with a bit of litter accumulating. The chalk board at the Durngate entrance is a bit overwhelmed with chalk markings. 

Wednesday 16th April

 Fairly quiet chatted to 3 lots of young families walking slowly round. Good to see a couple of sedge warblers flying in and out of the reeds by the pond -  nest building? A couple of brimstone butterflies braving the gusts of strong wind.

Removed an empty wine bottle from Durngate bench but only small amount of litter otherwise.

Sunday 13th April

Only a few people about.  Had a word with two runners when they didn't slow for me again on their second lap.  They just looked at me like I was an idiot.

 Friday 11 April 

Three groups of wild swimmers noted at 1400 hours

1. North-east end of boardwalk by wooden bench around 10 teenagers
2. Near the entrance to the Sanctuary area where clay flood defences have been built, 5 to 8 teenagers 
3. On the bank opposite the North Walls Park wild swimming area, around 10 teenagers. 

Friday 11th April

All quiet today, though the recreational Footbridge on the water vole trail has a faulty gate. Luckily the gate isn't wide open. 

Thursday 10 April

Three cyclists noted passing along the path at speed parallel to the School of Art at 1445 hours. I was too far away to offer a challenge. 

Thursday 10 April - not checked today …

 … but I think another volunteer/looker (Mike, not on this blog) went around …

Wednesday 9th April

 A lovely morning with a few couples strolling round, one was surprisedat seeing a cormorant. Two young families taking each other's photographs on the bench in the stream dipping area and although local it was their first visit and said they would definitely come back as it was so beautiful.

Not much litter and no swimming.

Anne and Tim 

Reserve update Tuesday 8th April

With the weather improving, so does the pressures on the reserve. Thanks Richard for highlighting where people have been swimming. A different location to the useful spot. Probably the worst place someone could swim as it will damage the bank repairs and contribute to erosion uring periods of high levels, maybe they would listen to that? Also worth reminding them there is a sewage outlet a few hundred metres upstream on that river, but it does effect the Barton too due to connecting streams. They don't need to know how little discharge actually comes out!

The pressure does highlight the value of having you all on site so thank you for your time.

On another note I heard my first sedge and reed warbler today. In the south the pond had at least two pairs of sedge warblers present. The 15 ducklings emerged and walked down the path. One duckling had enough and lost itself from it's family who had walked to he main river, with a member of the public we carried the little one to join its family.

We had 2 of our practical work party volunteers out on site too. We have made some boardwalk repairs and the bridge repair. There is still more to go but hopefully that's the worst of it. If you notice any issues please post on the blog or if urgent don't hesitate to call.

Thanks again,

Sam

Paul - will you be wardening in Durngate on Thursday this week?

Sunday 6th April

Bike chained to the noticeboard by NW bridge.  Gone when I left.

Lots of people about.  A couple of runners.

Mothers' Day Card wedged into the bench at north end of main board walk.  Assume for Penelope. I left it there but really think you should discourage the creation of shrines on the benches.  It creates litter and makes the benches unusable for others.

Saturday 5 April

A beautiful morning on the Moor and I observed my first Swallow of the year. I collected some litter from various locations which has now been recycled at home. 

Friday 4 April

 Although not witnessed by myself, I was informed a group was swimming on the Moor today. A few beer cans and crisp packets were found at this location 5 April 2025. 

Friday 4th April

Lots of bird song on site today, didn’t see a single person on my walk round and no significant litter either

Reserve Update

 Hi Folks,

Urgent boardwalk repair undertaken. More to come tomorrow.

Few updates:

- water rail survey going on tomorrow to identify breeding pairs

- Butterfly survey started last week, we have a few new people undertaking the survey now as Bob retired.

- I'm undertaking the territory bird surveys for the south of Winnall this year

- Boardwalk replacement bid has been successful and funds should be coming through soon. We will buy materials and wait for the ground to dry up. We hope to start the works July. 

- I may try a different approach to grazing the south this year. No mans land and swimming pool meadow have consistently been grazed with little change in plant community, 'it looks like it wants to be a reedbed'. So this year I won't graze those parcels until September. I'm hoping this will improve reed and sedge warbler, and reed bunting populations in those parcels at the detriment of no other species. By grazing in autumn we can get some thatch removed, do some embankment grazing and create a mosaic of reedbed habitat. Gotta try these things out :)

If you feel I've missed any of your posts regarding a certain matter please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. Whatsapp is the best way to contact me: 07825201545.

Thank you all for your support and time,

Sam