My initial plan was to try and find a parking spot for the walk we didn’t do yesterday. But Nathan wasn’t too keen on that idea and suggested we go to Fleet Pond.
I had planned on taking Dolly to Fleet Pond tomorrow on the way home.
So I was very happy that Nath suggested it today.
I haven’t been to Fleet Pond for fifteen years or more. The last time would have been with the wolf pack. One of my last walks here I saw my first ever kingfisher.
For the record Fleet Pond is the largest fresh water lake in Hampshire. Plus the other interesting fact is it used to provide fish for the prior at Winchester in medieval times.
This was definitely going to be a walk down memory lane.
Start Point: SU 83044 55451
Distance: 3.05 miles
Total Distance: 17.47 miles
We parked by what Kate and I used to call poo (polite name) alley.
It got this name because this spot next to where the cars are parked is where all the dogs after getting out of the car would empty themselves.
One thing I instantly noticed was the new (to me) cattle grate. There would be many more around the walk. These have appeared since my last visit as it looks like the grazing with cattle has increased.
There had been grazing before but it was far more limited. If memory doesn’t fail me there was only about three grazing spots previously.
As you can see from above there are a few information boards around Fleet Pond. These have been added also over the years since. I think they are a great addition. Particularly the ones that encourage you to engage and “feel” nature.
The picnic benches had also been upgraded with some cool nature themed carvings, plus attachment points for dogs.
It was that picnic area end of the pond that Nathan spotted a Great Egret on the edge of reed bed of the pond. This was the first time he’d seen an egret.
Talking of wildlife Fleet Pond is alive with it. On and off the water.
On the water we saw the usual suspects of ducks, including a tufted duck, geese, and coots. Plus at least six swans.
One thing that did annoy me was a family with little kids were feeding the birds bread. I thought the advice was not to feed birds bread because it isn’t good for the birds.
In the woods, and on the upper field we saw robins, green woodpeckers, and tits.
To our amazement a dead tree that Nath as a very small kid was able to squeeze into was still standing (photo above).
Although we passed a lot of people not once did we feel crowded.
Walking round Fleet Pond I never knew how much I miss the place and having something so close to me like this.
It was really special returning with Nath and that he enjoyed it as much as I did.
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