Sunday 30th November

Lots of walkers. Kingfisher on the Itchen.

Funny smell and a muntjac on the pond path. Probably not connected.

Beer cans.

Had a chat with a group of five runners. 

Friday November 29th staff update

Raked off the remaining cut sections as part of our meadow management.

Cut some low branches on the boardwalk. Another might need cutting but requires and chainsaw.

Levels are very low, particularly rec side. In discussion with winchester city council about potential solution.

Thabks for all your blogs and support!

Sam

Friday 28th November

​Very quiet apart from two squirrels and some blackbirds. Passed a couple of runners but no one else on site 

Thursday 27th November

Quiet, one painter, three visitors, minimal litter. 

Kingfisher at north end of Redhole Stream.

There’s a log/weed blockage solidifying further down Redhole Stream.

Sunday 23rd November

 A few walkers, some not being very courteous to a swan on the path.

My favourite photographers were in.  Very sweet couple, loads of expensive equipment, never see anything!  

No litter.

On the way out, I noted the rugby club were using the pathway between pitches for training exercises.  This is a well used route from the west side of the park to the NW bridge.  They don't normally use it, other than for spectating parents (who have to be kept back from the touchline with tape, but that's another story). I asked politely if they could keep it free for nature reserve access.  I got a load of condescending mansplaining from one of the coaches. I spoke to the person in charge and he said he would keep it free in future, so it is possible after all 🙄.  

Saturday 22nd November

Quiet and damp. Admired the recent meadow cutting. Not much litter today,  but one syringe plunger and one bag of cannabis sweets. 

Thursday 20th - all OK

Just a few visitors and photographers. And an artist capturing late Autumnal colours! Almost no litter. Perfect Thursday visit.

Wednesday 19th November

 Several people wrapped up warmly enjoying the fresh air and sunshine  after the sleet showers and a swan snoozing on the river bank near NML

No litter for once!

cold

 not much of a frost but some was on the board walk. Very quiet apart from swans. Met a Catholic lady saying Morning Prayer. Cant help but agree it's a good place to do this.

3 runners

Sunday 16th November

 Two photographers one fast runner.  Bramble blossom.

Thursday 13th

Three visitors.

Pizza boxes and coke bottles in the undergrowth on the track up to the pond. Cleared away.

Otherwise all good. 

Wet!

 Only 2 walkers, no litter. 10 - 20 finches in glade area plus a pair of blackbirds. Usual swans & moorhens along river. Also fungus season

Sunday 9th November

 A few walkers.  More litter than usual.  A kingfisher on Red Hole Stream

The branches over the boardwalk at the southern end - mangrove swamp - seem a bit lower than normal (or maybe the boardwalk is higher, or I have grown).  Someone a bit taller than me or running may bump their head.

Family with a dog.  Hadn't seen the THREE signs at Durngate.

Thursday 6th November

All good, 7 visitors and one artist. New species recorded on the chalk board at Durngate, unfortunately I didn't see it ;-)

Weds 5th Nov staff visit

No evidence of encampment, had a good search around the original location and some other secluded spots. Nothing else to report. Thanks all for your checks!

Wednesday 5th November

 All quiet ahead of fireworks!

Had a chat with a photographer with an impressive piece of kit. He's just applied to be a volunteer lookerer for Winnall - suggested if successful he'll need a pair of wellies! Sorry Sam forgot to ask his name.

Also had a nice chat with a couple on holiday from Kent who hadn't been before and keen to find out more about the reserve.

Sadly more litter than of late in the usual places and a blue jacket has been left on the Durngate bench.

damp

 no sign of rough sleeper.

no litter. Couple of runners and walkers.

Very quiet including on the wildlife front. Heard a cetti's.

Has anyone seen evidence of water voles? I've seen nothing lately, no spoor, no chewed leaves, but then I'm not surveying from the water :P

Sunday 2nd November *person camping in the woods*

Lots of people about: walkers, birdwatchers and a number of not-very-courteous runners.  Spoke to one man on his second lap, he was polite and walked past me on his third lap.  Also spoke to a couple running abreast, they were also polite.

A man is camping in the woods by Red Bridge at agency.outgrown.seaside.  Looks like he has been there for a while.  He was friendly, said he wasn't homeless, just "passing through".  I let him know there was a homeless shelter in town.

A woman with a huge dog by the Durngate entrance, I pointed out the sign on the gate and she loitered for a bit then turned around and left.