Monday December 11th

 Ashamed to say I haven’t been to the fisheries for a while so put that right this afternoon . Walked down mill lane to check the north eastern boundary and thence along the northern boundary path to the road gate . Nothing untoward there . The river is high with the result that the area between the main road and the northern distributary is comprehensively flooded and the flow through the sluice by the gate is very strong . I couldn’t walk along the path by the northern distributary as it’s well flooded and I didn’t have wellies ! There is water pouring across the middle of the track to Marcos hut and the reed beds are very wet . Checked sone of the banks of the main river and the central distributary . Very wet but no overtopping seen there . Marcos hut is progressing but looks like quite a lot still to do . Overall nothing significant to report 

Julian bevis . 

Wednesday 15th November

 Walked down mill lane and across the bridges . The path is closed near the house the other side of the open space as it’s being repaired . All the distributaries very full and many of the ditches and carriers now have flowing water in them in consequence . Along the northern boundary to the gate which now no longer in a state of collapse . No signs of anything untoward . Walked along the northern distributary as far as I could go as the river has flooded the path on the bank . Much water backed up along the fence line by the main road . Followed the central path to where Marco is  working . Path much chewed up by vehicles being sued to convey materials to and from the new fishing hut which is beginning to take shape . Apparently three otters seen just beyond the hut . No issues anywhere . 

Julian bevia 

Tuesday November 7th

 I finally found some time to get down to AWF, albeit a short stay.

It was nice to meet Marco again who looks to be doing a grand job on the building. I was there to remove a leaning diseased tree which could of damaged the building. Wish I got there earlier to do it! But a successful fell with the help of Marco and John, one of my volunteers.

Sam

Tuesday October 3rd

 A car was parked in the parking area just inside the collapsing gate . Although the car was open and various tools and other kit lying nearby there was no sign of the driver. Walked along the northern distributary . Nothing untoward and no signs of life apart from a heavy swirl  under the far bank abiut half way along returning to the car parking area I followed the central track which has been substantially widened by someone driving a vehicle along it to the far end by the memorial tree . There I found another vehicle and the driver who it appears has been engaged to clear up the old huts ans to dispose of them . He knows of Sam but hasn’t met him . Nothing else of note 

Julian bevis 

Wednesday September 27th

 Having a bit of time in hand I paid another visit to the fisheries this lunchtime . Down mill lane to the bridges and thence along the northern boundary to the collapsing gate . Nothing out of the ordinary apart from the fact that I forgot the WD40.. the padloxk yielded after a  certain amount of cursing and  I again walked along the northern distributary to within aight of the mill lane bridge . Thence back to the path that goes towards the Distributary that comes down the east and across the south of the reserve . Thence back up the west side to the bouncing bridge and the car park and gate. Saw a couple of herons ( or the same one twice ) and a roe deer . Otherwise as mentioned before the woods are very still ( apart from the sound of what I think were some Jays having a “domestic “ and a crow with a sore throat. A few more of the tracks that might be otter along the northern distributary. 

Julian bevis

Tuesday September 26th

 Once again walked down mill lane to the bridges . Nothing untoward. Along the northern boundary path to the collapsing gate . Forgot the WD40 for the padlock but managed without . Walked the length of the northern distributary and sat and watched the river for a while whichbvery peaceful. Nothing much around . Saw a number of fresh deer slots and more what might be otter tracks . No signs of any fresh human disturbance . 

Julian bevis 

Tuesday September 19th

 Walked down mill lane to the bridges rh nice along the northern boundary path to th collapsing gate . All normal. The padlock on th gate is becoming very sticky . Will try and remember to take sone wd40  next visit. Walked along the south bank path by the northern distributary. Saw a heron who protested most volubly at being disturbed . A clutch of moor hens who scattered in all directions and a solo rose deer. No obvious signs of poachers but a few places where it looks as though someone might have gone into the river . Also looks as though someone has taken a dog along the path. Otherwise woods very quiet.,

Julian bevis

Wednesday September 13th

 Down mill lane and thence over the bridges and through the field on the eastern boundary as far as the main river . Nothing untoward . Along the northern boundary to the main road and into the reserve via the collapsing gate post . Seemingly nothing amiss. Saw a dark Range Rover in the reserve parking place. . Registration ML17NGX. I didn’t see anyone around despite waiting for a while . Walked short distance along the northern distributary but saw no one and no evidence of malfeasance . Will spend more time next visit, had to return to Winchester earlier than planned today. Woods very quiet . No fish rising . 

Julian bevis 

Reserve Update

 Hi Guys,

There is a trail cam on site which is picking up some poachers on the top river. Please keep an eye out and report any evidence such as left out lures damaged banks etc.

Thanks for your help,

Sam

Friday September 1st

A swift visit today . Down mill lane and over the bridges to check the eastern perimeter. No issues and the makeshift barriers seem undisturbed. Along the northern  perimeter path , again no apparent issues , and round to the collapsing gate  or rather the collapsing gate post . Took a middle path to the middle distributary and went right handed to the bouncy bridge thence only as far as the junction of this stream and the notthen distributary and sat and watched a much more pleasant scene than yesterdays sodden outlook. Despite the sunshine the woods are very quiet and again no fish rising . No issues anywhere 

Have a good weekend 

Julian bevis 

Thursday august 31st

 My very belated first “ official “ visit after Sam’s excellent briefing a few weeks  back . Apologies for the delay in getting started . Holidays and work ! Walked down mill lane and over the bridges thence into the big meadow to the east of the site as far as a wooden bridge over a ditch. No signs of any issues. Thence along the footpath on the northern boundary and round to the collapsing main gate . From there straight across the site to the far side by the memorial tree. Sat on the bench there and watched  and listened to the world going by. Then left handed to the northern distributary and back to the main gate . Woods very quiet. Very few birds and no sounds . No fish rising which in marked contrast to when I was last there . Saw a few deer slots . No signs of anyone transgressing and no  evidence thereof. Was though greeted when I left by a bunch of kids with a VERY noisy player walking along the main road.  

Julian bevis 

Monday 28th August

Started by the bridges at the eastern side (dog dipping area). Our barriers remain intact with no sign of intrusion. Main gate slam post has completely had it. Think the gate is holding the post up! Did the circuit. Surprisingly wet in places. Not too much rafting of material to report. No new trees / branches down. All good. Plenty of birds about. Couple of kingfishers, black caps, long tailed tits, great tits & chettis.

Wednesday 23/08

 Spent the day doing WCC with the ecology team, unfortunately nothing found other than a large number of Bullheads. 

Had time spare to clear the snags of cut weed from up stream works stream, quite a few blockages on northern river. Saw a kingfisher 3 times along this stretch.

Tuesday 22/08 we cleared a fallen ash and hawthorn from the beat too.

Sam

Thursday august 3rd

 Given a most comprehensive guided tour by Sam . Very good to meet Adrian hull also there . What an interesting site . Very much look forward to working here with Adrian and Sam 

Best 

Julian bevis 

PS Adrian thanks very much for the lift back into Winchester whixh much appreciated 

Thursday 3rd August

New site visit with Sam & Julian. Sam showed us around the boundaries for future warden roles, pointing out the various hazards.