Thursday 4th September

All good, just one visitor. No litter. The pond remarkably full again and the reeds have encroached a lot whilst the reserve has been closed. 

welcome to autumn

 first day back. Alone on the reserve and no litter. Boardwalks look and smell good. Nice to see cows in RCM. A buzzard flew off the watching tree just as I pressed the shutter. Noted the blocked sluices at North Walls bridge

Sun 31st August

Weather wasn't sure what to do with itself today, rain and cloud then blue skies and sun.

Started off with trimming the glade, no litter thanks to Rachel's litter pick yesterday. 

Moved onto red hole stream path and strimmed the southern end.

Saw the lovely cygnets with still some growing to do, takes a long time I had no idea.

Strimmed the left side of the top loop before a downpour ruined my session. 

Replaced the chain and lock on the right side top loop gate. 

Quick strim of the pond memorial as well.

Found Lynne and Dave today and had a nice chat with both. 

Couple visitors reported a muntjac with a maggoty leg hiding under the new boardwalk at the top end. Went to investigate but couldn't see it. 

Then played defense on my way out as two separate groups with fishing gear AND a guy on an electric scooter all tried coming in at once, a coordinated attack! Luckily all were understanding and left after a quick word.

Redid the chalk on the info board at durngate, the yellow chalk won't come off! 

Sunday 31st August

 Looking lush and green, spick and span..  Lots of walkers...no runners.

Sat 30th August

Quick one today before the rain began, adjusted the mini sluice gate to allow more flow. Pond filled up quickly with the rain yesterday!

My mistake with the chain on the gate near mini boardwalk, removed in the reopening process but will return tomorrow. 

Cleared up some glass near the rec bridge and picked up the runners sign which was on the bridge gate but had been flung over from the rec side. Noted to replace once the bridge is repaired.

Wonderful morning, saw a couple of families with little ones in full waterproofs, very prepared!

Also ran into Rachel who kindly wished me luck for the upcoming Uni move. 

Saturday 30th -

Took an “off-duty” stroll round the reserve this morning. Wow! Those boardwalks. Very nice, and an extra viewing/passing platform too. Very quiet, no litter except an empty wine bottle (someone celebrating the reopening in the time honoured way).

Couple of things for the new maintenance list:

- Chain and lock missing from the SPM east gate;

- One board on the Red Hole Stream bridge needs replacing soon;

- lots of cut reed on Rec side from WM north

Soggy board

Fri 29th August OPEN

Officially open again with a beautiful brand new boardwalk!

Contractor and I have been clearing the scrap mesh from the old boardwalk today and tidying up before opening up around midday.

Cleared around the boardwalk in the wooded area.

A few trees fallen over onto the paths after the rain so I cleared those. 

Sadly campfire remains in the glade.

Mini sluice gate built back up with boards again, will keep an eye and adjust over the weekend.

Sheared back some reeds at no man's land loop as it was far too wet to strim today.