Autumn approaches as we enjoy the last days of summer at our Dorset Reserves, but for our wildlife Autumn is already here!
The Ospreys continue to excite as more arrive at RSPB Arne to fill up on fish before continuing their migration, and showing well on this weeks Osprey Walk! Our penultimate Reptile Survey walk was also this week, with visitors getting to see grass snake, slow worm, and the ever elusive Smooth Snake! There are only 3 tickets left on our last Reptile walk of the year (26th September) so don't miss out.
Next week will be the start of our Wildlife Lagoon Walks, exploring areas of RSPB Arne that are closed to the public to look for rare species, with the added chance of seeing migratory birds too.
Tickets are also selling fast for the Bird Ringing and Guided Walks at our Dorset Bird Festival, 21st & 22nd September!
Photo above: Grass Snake by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
With changing seasons comes a change in wildlife too, many of our summer visitors such as reed warblers and sand martins have left our reserves, while waders such as Ringed Plovers arrive on migration. Many passage migrants will be moving through our reserves soon, likely including some very rare species, like the Spotted Crake seen at RSPB Lodmoor on August 22nd. Keep your eyes open around our reserves as you never know what you might find.
The insect life is also changing on our reserves, with late flying Purple Hairstreak butterflies, Four spotted Footman moths, and Migrant Hawker, Common Hawker, and Lesser Emperor dragonflies, all taking to the wing, replacing the insects of spring and summer.
At RSPB Arne we have been treated to lots of visits from the White-tailed Eagles showing up several times almost every day, as well as Spotted Flycatchers and Redstarts passing through on migration. Some visitors also managed to photograph a Smooth Snake on our paths this week! At our Weymouth reserves, the Kingfisher and Bearded Reedlings have been making brief appearances, while the Great White Egret continues to wade across the lake in front of our Café, searching for fish.
Photo above: Ringed Plover by Leslie Cater (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