Is this weekend the end of the cold weather? I’d rather not risk saying it is but at least the Weymouth reserves feel a little more spring like. There’s been some real spring highlights over the last few weeks, perhaps best of all being up to six Garganey which have been seen well from the North hide at Radipole most days. This was taken when a few were hanging around the buddleia loop a few weeks ago.
Yesterday a stunning Osprey flew over the Discovery Centre and was enjoyed by loads of visitors at the time. As usual, it didn’t hang around and was keen to carry on its northward migration which meant no time to get a photo but this picture I took last week whilst I was counting migrating birds of prey in Gibraltar. Ospreys were quite numerous compared to past years so we might see a few more over Radipole and Lodmoor in the coming weeks.
Warblers are now turning up in good numbers. Chiffchaffs being most numerous but Willow Warblers now seem to be a little more obvious. Goldcrests are on the move and if your lucky you might spot a Firecrest which have also been migrating through. This was one trapped, ringed, and safely released at our office garden adjacent to Radipole yesterday morning. Stunning little birds!
There’ll be a chance to learn more about ringing and the chance to get close to other wildlife tomorrow at Radipole. The current weather forecast isn’t too promising but as it stands there’ll be a ringing demonstration from 9am near the North Hide but rain looks to set in from mid morning so come along early to beat the weather. If the rain comes in early we’ll have to abort! But for the rest of the day there’ll be displays in the visitor centre and pond dipping and possibly more!
Lots more things to blog about over the coming weeks including pics from some of our events which have been a roaring success over Easter but here's a taster of whats been going on!