Colour on a Dull Damp Day

A dull damp day on the reserve today.  I went for a short wander between the showers this afternoon and was immediately rewarded with Bearded Tits pinging in the reedbeds close by the Discovery Centre. Also very young not long hatched Tufted Duck and Moorhen chicks.  Our Mute Swans and cygnets family were sheltering under the large tree in the car park.  The cygnets are getting quite large now.

A positive of our wet weather is the damp bring out the colour hues on the reserve.  From the viewing platform several shades of pink-purple flowers were among the reeds.  The Purple Loosestrife and Greater Willowherb are in full bloom, the Hemp Agrimony and Teasels are starting to come into flower.

One particularly bright hedgerow plant is the Montbretia glowing again the damp green of the path verge not far from the Discovery Centre.  This plant is widespread over the UK and is more common in the west.  The Montbretia on the reserve is a hybrid originally from South Africa which first introduced to the UK in 1880 from France.  It escaped into the wild in 1911.

Other news is that the Marsh Harrier juveniles have now fledged.  Though not the best year for the Common Terns over at Lodmoor, 13 chicks did fledge.  The Little Terns had their best year ever with over 70 chicks fledging.

For all the latest sightings, contact Radipole Lake Discovery Centre, details below or pop in and see us. Hot and cold refreshments, sandwiches and snacks available.