August 2018 RSPB Radipole Lake Late Summer Update

August is traditionally a quiet month for birds but we have been lucky enough to have one of our largest visitors, the Great White Egret, visiting our reserves this month.  A Great White Egret has been recorded daily over at Lodmoor since 30th July.  On 10th August two were seen and the very next day three were counted and were around for a few days.  On 15th August the Great White Egret was seen outside the Discovery Centre window at Radipole Lake and has been seen every day from the Discovery Centre since.  Three were seen at Radipole on 20th August.  This week both reserves have had at least one present every day.

Photo Credit: RSPB Radipole Lake volunteer, Martin Jones-Gill, snapped this photo from the Discovery Centre window on Wednesday 22nd August.

One of our resident Mute Swan families, often seen by the viewing platforms on the Buddleia Loop, were seen today all snuggled together having an afternoon snooze.

This month the Purple Loosestrife is becoming abundant in the hedgerows and in the damper areas of the reserve.  From the large viewing platform near the Discovery Centre among the Purple Loosestrife is one of Radipole Lake's rarities, the Golden Dock.

The plants are a yellow-green when flowering but turn golden when in fruit.  This species is only seen in three sites in Dorset - Radipole Lake, Lodmoor and Overcoombe which means it is also a Dorset Rarity.

Finally, a juvenile Cormorant was seen from the Discovery Centre window performing a contortionist act preening his feathers and keeping our younger visitors entertained.

Photo Credits: RSPB Radipole Lake Volunteer, Martin Jones-Gill