BLASHFORD LAKES - - - NEW FOREST
AND WHERE HAVE ALL THE YOUNGSTERS GONE? By Jim Day
The primary purpose of this website, is to encourage the younger generations, to become involved with wildlife and delight in all the wonders of the natural world.
All little girls love to sing, hop, and dance. All little boys love to fight. Gradually, maybe because they are told the ‘No’ or, ‘Not like that; try doing it this way’, enthusiasm palls. All boys and girls love animals, love to draw them, play with them, see them, nearly all their stories and all cartoons feature animals, and no one tells them to grow up and lose interest in wildlife. So what happens?
As they approach their teens, this enthusiasm begins to weary. Perhaps it is understandable to a degree, as the hormones kick in during the traumatic adolescence, but judging from our experience, this love of nature is not rekindled. There is a vast generation gap. It is rare sight whilst out in the field to see a teenager, or someone in their twenties or thirties, within a group of naturalists, and virtually unknown to be by himself or herself with a pair of binoculars.
So detached have some become that I recall the occasion we were showing a teenage lad a Kingfisher through the telescope. He was open-mouthed in amazement, then waved his hand in front of the scope and asked in all seriousness, ‘Is it real?’ He must have literally believed that the scope was a virtual-reality device.
Blashford Lakes Study Centre owned by Wessex Water, and run by its warden Jim Day, encourages schools and youngsters in a range of ways, with varied activities, especially during the holidays.
It must always remain a welcoming sight seeing kids having fun in the outdoors.During the winter months, the centre itself usually has Siskins and Redwings present, Ibsley Water is a good place to see Berwick ‘s Swans, and a Great White Egret has been wintering on the lakes.
Going from Portsmouth west, it is easy to find. Just turn right at Ringwood, go a couple of miles and you will see the signpost to turn right, and then you will see the Blashford Lakes Centre.
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Blashford Lakes Jim Day
The Avon Valley has been the location of extensive sand and gravel quarrying since the 1950’s, and as these quarries were excavated below the water table, the Blashford Lakes were formed and very quickly became established as valuable sites for wildlife. Well known to birdwatchers, Blashford Lakes is a complex of Lakes situated on the western boundary of the New Forest in the Avon Valley to the north of Ringwood. Although all are privately owned many can be viewed from public footpaths and bridleways.
The Blashford Lakes Wildlife Reserve is managed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in partnership with the New Forest District Council and the landowners, Wessex Water and Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water. The 490 acre site encompasses Ibsley Water and Ivy, Ellingham, Blashford and Mockbeggar Lakes. The reserve also boasts a well-appointed centre, which serves as a base and starting point for exploring the history and natural history of the site, including a good firm footpath leading to the fully accessible bird-watching hide that provides good views of winter wildfowl on Ivy Lake. Although there is no current access to the Mockbeggar Lakes or Ibsley Water, screens accessed from the roadside provide good views of these stretches of water. In addition to working with visiting schools, youth groups and adult special interest groups, a full time Education Officer provides a busy programme of holiday activity days for children, guided walks and events.
The quarrying of sand and gravel, within the reserve, has meant that access to enjoy its special qualities, has been restricted. However the Wildlife Trust has been fortunate to receive funding from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, with the help of the Countryside Agency, which will enable considerable improvement in access. Over the next few months, Blashford Lakes is going to be even busier than usual; as well as the thousands of wildfowl that visit the area every winter, volunteers, staff and contractors will be working hard creating two miles of surfaced paths, boardwalks, tern islands, bird-watching hides and sculptures, along with improved signs and leaflets. The planning permission received will enable a series of circular walks around the reserve to be created, which will be accessible by all, and link into the existing New Forest public footpaths and the Avon Valley Long Distance Footpath.
Works are expected to be completed during 2006 with a grand opening on Saturday 23 September. Visit www.hwt.org.uk for up-to-date events information, wildlife news and visitor information for Blashford Lakes.
Blashford Lakes Centre – How to find us
New Forest OS Grid Ref: SU 151 079
By Public Transport:
There is an hourly service of the X3 Dorset and Wilts bus service between Ringwood and Salisbury with a request stop at “Ellingham Crossroads”. From there the main reserve entrance is a short walk of 400 yards along Ellingham Drove, turning right into the Wessex Water site (see below).
By Car:
Approximately two miles north of Ringwood on A338 Ringwood - Salisbury road, take the Moyles Court/Linwood turning at Ellingham Crossroads into Ellingham Drove. After approximately 400 yards, turn right into the Wessex Water site (the sign is easily visible from the road). There is car parking available outside the centre at the end of the gravel track leading from the tarmaced surface of the main entrance.
Please be aware that access to the centre and hide is still currently restricted but this is set to change - watch this space. For information on opening times contact the centre as detailed below:
Blashford Lakes Centre Ellingham Drove Ringwood Hampshire BH24 3PJ
Telephone: 01425 472760
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