Our reserves have been bustling this week with both visitors and wildlife, with fishing Osprey, soaring Goshawk, and swooping Hobby stealing the show, and Great White Egrets made their first appearance this year.
A misty full moon walk this week treated visitors to an atmospheric evening. Next week our reptile survey walks continue, with the session selling out last month, and next months walk halfway there, we're excited to show you more of our rarest reptiles. Our first Nightjar walk of the year will also be running, on the lookout for them and other nocturnal wildlife such as our 12 species of bat. Our birdwatching for beginners guided walks also continue this week to introduce you to the array of birds here at RSPB Arne. At RSPB Radipole Lake we'll be hosting another Weymouth Family day on June 1st, this months free activity will be making wildflower bombs to take home.
The Warden team has been resurfacing the car park at RSPB Arne, and clearing paths across our reserves. Next week they'll be some surveying at RSPB Garston Wood, soft rush control at RSPB Lodmoor, and performing water meter checks and path cutting at RSPB Arne.
Photo above: Nightjar roosting on a log by Verity Hill (rspb-images.com)
The wildlife continued to show well this week with Nightjars and Cuckoos heard at RSPB Arne, while Dartford warblers and Osprey were seen a lot this week. Goshawk and Marsh Harriers also gave good views, likely looking for food for their chicks. Some chicks have already fledged, with Robins, Blue tits, and Blackbird fledglings hopping around the reserve. RSPB Lodmoor and RSPB Radipole Lake welcome some ducklings and cygnets, while the Common Tern is still choosing nest site.
Dragonflies and butterflies continue to appear, enjoying the sunny weather, with Four Spotted Chasers, Hairy Dragonfly, and Emperor Dragonflies, and many damselflies, including Large Red, Common Blue, and Blue Tail Damselflies spotted across our reserves. RSPB Radipole Lake is starting to see Bee Orchids appearing, hopefully blooming very soon.
Photo above: Hobby perched in a dead tree by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
If you'd like to keep up to date with what's going on at our reserves, take a look at our events page and follow us on social media:
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Events at RSPB Arne and Garston Wood
Events at RSPB Radipole Lake
Events at RSPB Lodmoor