During the half term at the start of this month, visitors to Radipole got stuck into the construction of this rather odd looking thing.
It’s a bug hotel or as Michelle (centre manager) calls it, Buggingham Palace... and it was finished off yesterday with a very fitting thatched roof.
It is made of pallets stuffed with stones, sticks, reed stems, wood chips and other fragments. These provide thousands of nooks and crannies, places of safety out of the elements for creatures to hibernate and hang out in. Like the Lone Biker of the Apocalypse in the film Raising Arizona, the winter weather can be “especially hard on the little things” if they can’t tuck themselves away from the worst of the elements, so they benefit greatly from structures like this. Arne nature reserve has one and a vast variety of wildlife has been found taking advantage of it, not only invertebrates but also newts and common lizards. It will be interesting to see over the coming months who takes up residence in this rent-free property.
Whilst I’m blogging I should probably give you a summary of recent sightings, so I shall!
Starlings were the main feature of last week but this week their numbers diminished rapidly, but there are still plenty more things to see. Marsh Harriers have been very easy to spot recently with three, possibly four, individuals seen hunting over the reserves. Our other reedbed dwellers, Bitterns and Bearded Tits have been putting in regular appearances with the latter showing off really well very close to the Discovery Centre on occasions. Other scarcities on the reserves have included Water Pipit at both Radipole and Lodmoor, Green Sandpiper at Radipole, one, possibly two, Firecrest at Radipole which were joined by a possible Siberian Chiffchaff seen on Sunday morning. So well worth a visit at the moment! If it doesn’t get too cold it just might be worth still keeping a look out for a late flying Migrant Hawker dragonfly - one was spotted at the weekend at Abbotsbury. Talking of hanging around ‘til the last minute... four swallows flew over Radipole on Sunday - no rush obviously.
That's a really snazzy mansion you've made there! Look forward to seeing what takes up residence over winter.
By the way, had an excellent view of a Bittern at Lodmoor from just past the post box on Southdown Avenue on Sunday morning and we also had a good view of the Green Sandpiper plus one of the male Marsh Harriers flying low over the reeds.
The newly cut 'viewing' areas and pathways on Lodmoor have opened up the pools again and improved sight lines greatly although you do need wellies or good boots in this weather!
Seize the day!