end of month

 sunny and warm by the time I got round! 2 of my regular runners were back. A man complimented us on keeping the reserve clean and tidy. Said it was his route to work.

Next to no litter apart from a food tray in Barton carrier at Riverpark - which I managed to retrieve. Levels below 37.00m first time for ages! (but officially rising). Clearly visible on strand lines on main channel. As already observed, boardwalk is not improving. This is a new opening. No butterflies (too early in the day?) but plenty of birdsong, report of a deer and 2 swans south of magic mushroom showing signs of courting.

Sunday 30th March

 Quiet at first then lots of people turned up including one bargy runner doing laps.

Boardwalk is coming apart at twisty.unhelpful.weeps

And particularly bad (see pic) at rise.umbrella.scrub

Wrens winning this side.  Green Woodpecker on the western side.  Jay on the pond path. No curlews.

Saturday 29th March

Lovely to see the willows greening up. More superb bird sightings at the pond, and great birdsong, but no toads visible. I know they are there! Less litter than usual.

Friday 28th March

A few people enjoying the sun today with little litter and little disruption. 

Thursday 27th - maintenance

Further to Paul’s blog. A few folks around. Nursery school group on the platform learning about pond life. Photographer who’d only seen a pheasant. Some drinkers at the first bench inside the gate well into the Heineken and white wine; they tidied up when I first passed and I thanked them on the way back, so we’ll see tomorrow …

Someone has lost a Netherlands residence card. It was on the notice board ledge and I left it there for collection, hopefully.

Maintenance:  I think we’ll need to shore up the main boardwalk again near the top end before long; and the soggy board(s) on the bridge aren’t getting any better.

Stringers gone in couple of places

27thMarch Early AM

Very quiet in general with a few slightly irritating joggers who never seem to show any respect for anyone or anything. 

Sadly some drug paraphernalia on first  bench by river after Durgate. A reported and removed but unpleasant.  Couldn't see any discarded syringes but fear they may be around somewhere,  so be careful. 

On the positive side no other litter or problems.

Birds are starting to get excited and noisy! 

Wednesday 26th March

 A few people walking round including a photographer who had just taken a superb photo of a Cetti's warbler at the pond. Two cyclists disappearing off in the distance as we arrived. Several male and female brimstone butterflies near Durngate where great tits and chiffchaffs were dominating the bird calls. A small amount of litter mostly at the Durngate bench.

Anne and Tim