It's been a warm and sunny week at our Dorset reserves!
This weeks Night Wildlife Walk was treated to the Nightjars flying and churring, as well as Dartford Warblers, and even a Tree Pipit! Next week will be our monthly Weymouth Wildlife Walk at RSPB Radipole Lake! With the birds, dragonflies, and orchids all showing well it's sure to be a good one.
This week our Warden team were busy with post removals at Holton Lee, Bench maintenance at RSPB Radipole Lake, and Knotweed control at RSPB Lodmoor. Next week the warden team will be at RSPB Garston Wood repairing fences, and at Weymouth doing some path cutting and maintaining the sluice gates, as well as installing new doors at the RSPB Radipole Lake Discovery Center.
Photo above: Robin Fledgling being fed a moth at RSPB Arne by Léonard D'Aranjo
The fledgling birds descended on the feeders at RSPB Arne this week, hopping around and still begging for food, much to the delight of our visitors. The White tailed Eagles were spotted once again, as was one of our Cuckoos, as well as the Spotted and Pied Flycatchers. The rare Silver studded blue butterflies have also emerged on the meadows and heaths.
At RSPB Lodmoor the fledgling Bearded Reedlings made spotting these birds easier as they explore the reedbeds. A Great White Egret, Whimbrel, and Ringed Plover also made an appearance, while Common Terns continue to visit. RSPB Radipole Lake saw even more dragonflies this week with Hairy Dragonfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Norfolk Hawker, and Black Tailed Skimmer, with many damselflies including the banded demoiselle and beautiful demoiselle, as well as a pair of Hobbies taking advantage of the plentiful food.
Photo above: Hairy Dragonfly with its prey at RSPB Radipole Lake by Léonard D'Aranjo
It's been wonderful to see so many visitors and families enjoying the reserve, the wildlife, and the good weather this week.
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