Our Hides Past and Present and the Viewing Shelters

As you know the North Hide and boardwalk is currently closed as they have come to the end of their lives. With this in mind, our Discovery Centre Senior Assistant, Danny Bartlett and I were discussing the North Hide and the untimely passing of the other hides which were here on Radipole Lake and over at Lodmoor. Danny was on hand to witness and photograph the tragic fates of our former hides.

Buddleia Hide

Radipole Lake was leased to the RSPB back in 1976 and the hides date back to the late 1970's/early 1980's. There was a large hide on the Buddleia Loop known as the Buddleia Hide.

Danny was on hand to take photos of the fire crews attending and to watch the drama unfold.

The fire at it's height and the hide came crashing down.

Southdown Hide

The Southdown Hide over at Lodmoor suffered a similar tragic fate in the  summer of 1996. Another hide know as the Toll Hide also came to an untimely end, not by fire but by vandalism. Though it was deemed unsafe to use much of this hide was salvaged and recycled elsewhere.

Radipole Lake Viewing Shelter

In the place of our hides we now have our Viewing Shelters. When they were first built they were plain and grey in colour. Unfortunately they were subject to graffiti and vandalism. So back in the winter 2011/12 several local schools and adult day centres were given a selection of boards to decorate with wildlife images.  

Once completed, the boards were put back into both the shelters, and have had the desired effect. This was to try and instill a bit more respect for the shelters and the reserves (were still working on that), as well as giving the children who designed the art work a sense of ownership and an interest in the reserves.

During the summer when the boards went back in the shelter, many of the local children came down for the first time to show their parents their artwork.  

The North Hide

In the late 1970's Doug Ireland, the Radipole Lake warden at the time and members of the South Dorset RSPB Group dug out the North pool by hand.  

The chap on the left in the cap is Doug Ireland, Goldcroft Avenue where the RSPB Radipole Lake Office used to be is behind them. When the pools had been dug out the North Hide was built.

The current North Hide dates at least to 1983 onwards, so it is 35+ years old and seen many years service. The boardwalk to the hide was built  in 1996.

The new scrape is now coming on very well. Pete, one of Radipole's volunteers has been keeping a record of some of the species who have been visiting. As you know there will be a new trail to a viewing structure overlooking both the new scrape and the old north pools. We will keep you updated. Thanks to Danny Bartlett for sharing his images of our past hides.