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Emma Foulger

Spring is here you can feel it and see it all around you, comma butterflies on the wing and a stoat seen slinking through the reeds. Radipole Lake has been busy the last few weeks with birds arriving, nesting, passing through on migration and even taking a little holiday for a while elsewhere.

Latest arrivals are the buff and pale yellow coloured chiffchaffs who sing their name over and over again, (just in case we forget who they are!) some over winter but many migrate and so at this time of year their numbers swell, meaning you are never far from a chiffchaff. Chiffchaff photo credit: RSPB

Also seen passing through Radipole Lake on migration from Africa are the wonderful sand martins, flying high in the air with white bellies and brown wings on their way to their breeding grounds across Britain. Will our specially constructed sand martin wall tempt them to stop here and breed this year?  

 Nesting already are the Marsh harriers who have been seen carrying twigs and reeds this week which they will build into a mound for nesting on. We will keep you posted as to how they get on.

Bird in residence, the Hooded Merganser left us for a months holiday only returning last week. We still do not know where he went! Do let us know if you saw him on his travels. Hooded merganser Photo credit: RSPB

 

Find out more about our National Campaign: Birds Without Borders and how it is helping migrant birds:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/birdswithoutborders/index.aspx

 

Upcoming Event

Sat 22 & Sun 23 March   Strictly Grebe Dancing   10.30 am-3 pm

If you’ve never seen a pair of Great Crested Grebes doing their courtship display, you don’t know what you’re missing. It is simply delightful. They shake their heads in sync and dance round and round. Just come on down this weekend and see for yourself! We will have friendly guides on hand during the weekend and viewing telescopes around the reserve. There will also be Grebe themed activities and a nature trail for children to follow. Free – no booking required.