Sunday 1st November

A bit bleak today.

Four pairs of fast runners, one of which barged a couple of pensioners off the path. 

Saturday 31st October

Calm and quiet, no runners, friendly chats with visitors.  Litter only at Durngate. Love the muted colours. Great tree clearing job done!

Thursday 29th - All good

Lovely morning, no litter, one artist painting. That was it! 

All good. 

Wednesday 28th October

Fairly quiet this morning - a few young families enjoying a stroll round. Only a small amount of litter. Ash branches from Recreation ground cleared.

Sunday 25th October. Fallen tree info

Two trees down blocking the western path and one low hanging, pics and w3w below.  Phoned into Tom Graham.  The northern most one had fallen from the park and the tree surgeons were removing it as I left

Sat 24th

 

How DNS has changed since all the rain. Puddles and little ponds all over the place. Remarkable habitat. The 6 cows were lying down near the gate to RCM. The four ponies were grazing in the middle of RCM.

The A34 three were close to the electric fence. Checked fence working

The 16 no collars were in the upper part of ME hay meadow.

The 12 in Lower Five were just standing around looking.

Traps empty.

Saw three little grebes, a great spotted woodpecker, and large flocks of wood pigeons.

Trees down Saturday 24th

Three small willows over the path near the lower bridge and a larger one across Red Hole stream path. Long boardwalk and upper loop accessible.  Cleared litter at Durngate. Sent pics to Sam 

Friday 23rd October

Very windy and wet today 😂. There were a few people out today, but not many. 

There was a little bit of litter, and I found a little campfire site between the fishermans gate and the fence seperating winnall south, but not sure how new it is. 😊

21st Oct

Slight difference in the outlook this afternoon! This morning I got drowned....This afternoon the sky is blue! 

A few walkers enjoying the Autumn sunshine.

No litter and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

The only things that were ruffled were swan feathers. Bit of a territorial battle going on.

The family with four were put out by the appearance of two interlopers and chased them for a considerable distance up stream.

Meanwhile their youngsters, left to their own devices, had a long bath!

PS. Sorry posting this late!

Sunday 18th September

 Quite a few walkers, one moderate runner.  No litter.

Sat 17th October

 All good. 

12 cattle in Eastern meadow all lying down enjoying the sunshine

16 no collars in MWHM munching away 

Two sets of ponies fine 

6 cattle inDNS restless:  bellowing and were huddled round the top gate. I imagine wanting to join their mates inEM. Came towards me and followed me back to the gate, which  I double checked was shut!

All traps empty  

Saturday 17th October

A stunning Autumnal morning. The greater spotted Woodpecker calling. Much less litter than a normal Saturday - maybe a chilly night helps. A fast runner forced me off the path without a glance. Ah well...

Thursday 15th October - All Good

A few visitors and a small amount of litter. A group of 4 lads making a film just off the path to going the reed beds. Promised me they were doing no harm I couldn't really see a basis to tell them to stop. Otherwise all good, no issues to report. 

Wednesday 14th October

Lovely autumnal morning - very quiet on the reserve and very little litter.

Met a couple of ladies at the Durngate entrance with a young puppy who had arrived on the advice it would make a lovely walk - explained it does but not with a dog and why, suggested a couple of alternative walks for them to take.

Several darter dragonflies enjoying the sunshine on what renains of the pond.

Hope the testing goes well on Friday - fingers crossed!

Sunday 11th October

A few walkers, several fast runners including two who barged past me on NW bridge. No litter.

Long tailed tits ☺☺☺

Saturday 10th October

Such a lovely morning. Heard the kingfisher. These broken trucks and a lot more near the mosaic where they try to swim. Another litter load in SPM under the spreading willow. Far too many fast runners if you want to observe wildlife, unfortunately.  

7th October

Very moist and very quiet. 

Pulled a can out of the stream in usual place. Played Grannie's footsteps with two young pheasants along the board walk. 

Goldcrests busy in hawthorn near the swimming area.  

Plastic lucozade bottle on far side of pond . Suppose it proves the contents gave the culprit tge strength to lob an empty bottle 18 feet or so. There's hope for us all.

Cooler

 Very quiet. 1 runner, 5 walkers. 1 piece of litter on the whole site. Couple of duck & swan groups. I assume thats Charlotte been mowing nettles etc

Sunday 4th October

Busy! 

Found a limping pigeon, many passing walkers and children were very concerned about it.  Called Charlotte and when she came over, it flew off.

Sat 3rd October

​Pretty quiet day, some runners and a few walking . 2 guys in nml smoking weed but were polite and left when I asked them to return to the path and public side. Nothing bad to report , gate is still missing on the rec side of the bridge . 

Saturday 3rd October

Lovely morning. A bag of 'ordinary' litter from the usual spots. Confident swans preening on the path. Guelder Rose berries looking beautiful. One visitor asked me if we had a cafe.

Friday 2nd October

​Not super busy today, quite a few runners, not many walking. Minimal litter which is good, and the cool weather has been lovely today. 

Thursday 1st October - All Good

Lovely morning, a few runners, one lady saying her prayers and a couple of general visitors.

Gate still not fixed. 

No litter for a change which was lovely. 

Missing gate off rec

 Hi all,

Thanks for reporting the missing gate off the rec. The bridge is all the responsibility of Winchester City Council and they are aware of the vandalism.

I'm not sure when they will make the repairs but please update if they do!

Cheers,

Sam

Wednesday 30th September

A beautiful warm sunny morning to end September  - though feels more like ending August!

Noted the MISSING GATE at the bridge entrance from the recreation ground and the potential hazard of the two pieces of metal sticking out. Couldn't remove them.

Very quiet on the reserve - a couple sitting by the bank of the main river and a lady reading a book on the bench at the northern end. Only a very small amount of litter.

Cool & damp.

 And quiet. Usual runners and walkers. No swans. Gate to North Wall has gone. I dont have the tools to remove remaining hinges which are obtrusive. Nice galvanised cistern presumably from farm days, and nearby decorated stone. 2 of us culdnt move Durngate posts to allow a vehicle in. I wonder if theyre seized, but have seen them open recently.

Saturday 26th September

Beautiful morning. Friday night litter in the usual spots, bad under the spreading willow in SPM with discarded nappy - nice. Saw a snipe flying away as I approached the pond, a real treat. 

Thursday 24th September - All good

 Bright sunny morning.

A few people were out walking.

All good.

23rd Sept

Swans moored up and peacefully preening

Couple of walkers and a runner. Chap enjoying painting the view. Retrieved a bag full of litter from the bench where the kids like to dip for tiddlers- including a rather vicious snapped off bottle top. 

Read Admiral up in ivy  and a few Speckled Woods . Common Darters on the pond. All else seemed peaceful.

Lovely autumn morning

 Quiet and low sun. Very little litter.

The gate to North Walls doesnt work because the fence is adrift, despite recent overhaul by council

Saturday 19th September

Most of the litter around the paddling stream and the Durngate Bench, with syringe packets and drug spoon packets common. A lovely Autumnal morning and the light is definitely changing. Nice to meet Charlotte after my round. 

Friday 18th September

​A bit busier today, I too am finding the most litter in the glade and by the two sluices so those are clearly the go to places at the moment . Cattle have done a good job grazing NML and that’s pretty clear now . Will be strimming tomorrow. 

Thursday 17th - All Good

A bit damp and drizzly, a few visitors, one polite runner.

The woody glade just south of the fence to NML seems to be the place for unpleasant litter, more today, dealt with. 

End 

Wednesday 16th September

Pleasant sunny morning. More visitors than usual. A bird watching couple from Hertfordshire commented on how they felt that the local Wildlife Trusts are managing their reserves better than the rspb these days. Reminded 3 young joggers that it wasn't a race course - they slowed down but probably speeded up again!  Saw a couple of lads hanging about in the trees near the southen end of the boardwalk near Park Avenue, one had a bike who assured me he hadn't ridden there just pushed his bike (!) I thought an elderly man had collapsed near the stream dipping platform - turned out he was on the ground taking a photo of fungi!! Removed the remains of a drinks party in the glade and broken crockery by the information board at the durngate entrance. The latch on the gate from the recreation ground isn't quite long enough - the gate can easily swing open.

Very light drizzle

 Quiet both human and animal. Saw 5 happy cows in NML.

Retractable post at Durngate entrance wont come out of the ground

Sunday 13th September

​Super quiet today, saw 2 runners and 2 walkers and literally no one else . Not sure why it was so empty, mix of rain and traffic I think. All ok no issues 

Saturday 12th September

​pleased to say no one has messed with the grazing animal sign at the top of the loop. Didn’t find any issues today, cows are really making a difference in nml . Few happy visitors looking at the birds . 

Saturday 12th September

A deluge of litter on and around the Durngate bench, I'm guessing from Friday overnight, because the rest of the site was clean and tidy. Dog mess on the glade. Glad to get rid of it all. Love the Guelder Rose berries.

Thursday 10th September - All good

 Apart from a few people running and walking all quiet.

 Pleasant dappled light when I started.

5 regular runners & walkers. Couple of gatekeepers dancing in the light. Next to no litter except under the alder in SPM.

Looked at North Walls gate. The parapet is faulty. Nothing I can do with my domestic tools. I though WCC had refurbished it during the closure.

Sunday 6th September

​pretty quiet in the afternoon, got quite warm too. No issues today, all signs still up and everyone quite content . 

Sunday 6th September

 Lots of walkers, including a couple who twice managed to get lost on a circular path.

Saturday 5th September

​The boardwalk was brushcut yesterday so that should be more clear now. No issues today, pretty quiet despite the nice weather. 

Saturday 5th September

A lovely morning,  though - to be frank - far too many fast runners to be able to enjoy nature as you walk round. A good full bag of 'ordinary ' litter in the usual spots. A couple trying to get into NML because their map said that was the River Path. We had a nice chat and I explained alternatives. 

Thursday 3rd - All good.

Passed one gentleman who as he passed I realised was soaking wet, obviously just finished a swim.

Another man walking his dog , very polite said he didn't realise no dogs.

Some unpleasant litter, dealt with. 

Latch on gate to recreation ground not engaging at all now, although it sort of works. 

Dry- ish

 Bit more water in Pond & puddles very much in evidence after 6mm yesterday. 1 runner 4 walkers, next to no litter. Animals in RCM looked ok but far off

Sunday 30th August

​Few more visitors today, apart from the odd downpour, not much rain so more people had ventured out. Paths have been strimmed again, can’t believe how fast things are growing at the moment. Barely any litter today and no issues . 

Saturday 29th August

​The rain meant it was pretty much empty today, saw a few runners who had decided to brace the weather but not really anyone else. No issues, new grazing livestock sign up . 

Sunday 30th August

 A few walkers, one runner, Charlotte strimming.

Thursday 27th - all OK

Late morning, quiet. Couple of lads set for a day’s fishing but very polite, and headed off to the playing field side. Not much litter, couple of unreachable cans in the pond … fascinating stuff …

26th August

All quiet. Few runners who were charming and stopped for a chat. Sadly rather a lot of rubbish in the thickets behind the bench 

Pulled most of it into a pile . Still more behind a fallen trees. Didn't have a big enough bag so could only remove a little.  Will try to return later today with bag and gloves! Think I spotted a syringe further over. Will leave that for someone who has right kit.

anyone remember dew?

 quite a bit on various vegetation!
Charlotte's path clearance noted and looks good. Surprisingly little litter considering festival. No spare sausages. Only 3 walkers. One nice lady had picked up a beer bottle which I was happy to take from her.

did a bit of vegetation snipping, mainly brambles at face height

Saturday 23rd August

​Pretty busy day with the music quite loud . I trimmed the paths so they hopefully are less crazy overgrown . Bumped into some lads coming to fish but they were fine and polite. No issues, signs still up . 

Sunday 23 August

Quite a few walkers and some runners.  The new track around the edge of the recreation ground has been approved so that may provide an alternative place for the strava-louts to terrorise walkers.

A new pathway to the river has appeared on the west bank in SPM at w3w arranger.working.proclaims

Thursday 20th August - Gate repair required.

A little litter, a couple of visitors on runners. The latch on the gate to the recreation ground is not quite aligned. You can close the latch with a bit of force but then it is difficult to undo. So gate is left swinging open. 

Someone may have had a go at the new no swimming sign at the North end but it's still ok. 

Otherwise all good. 

Wednesday 19th August

Very quiet this morming. Met a couple of people - main topic of conversation being the rain! Disturbed a young roe deer under the large sallow tree in NE corner whilst picking up discarded drink cans. It stood up and walked two paces but no further. Seemed okay but didn't want to frighten it.

Another music event this weekend on the old Rec rugby field. You have to walk round the outside of the fence as usual to reach the entrance bridge.

Cool but humid

 Swan family around

Someone told me about the fire.

Heard a deer in reeds at NML

Otherwise peaceful & quiet