If you have visited Radipole since January you may have noticed that something has been missing. Not the wildlife of course, there have been all the usual suspects about like otter, kingfisher, water vole, the explosive cetti's warbler and the ever present marsh harrier and also some great new arrivals; yesterday in the sun you could hardly hear yourself think above the noise of sedge and reed warbler competing for space. I'm talking about us (well not necessarily me, but RSPB staff and volunteers nevertheless). Well I'm incredibly happy to announce that we're back (yes that is a good thing!).
On Monday the 14th May come down to the reserve and join us as we open the brand new Wild Weymouth Discovery Centre and show it off. We are going to be joined by the mayor, our MP and various schools, RSPB folk and visitors alike so it would be great to see you there to show you around. You'll be able to have a local ice cream if it's sunny, but in the more likely event of the day being like the rest of the month so far you can enjoy a hot drink (which I must say is delicious!) and some locally made food. We'll be showing off all our new screens showcasing some of the reserves amazing wildlife and that's not all.
Visiting Radipole now, you can't fail to notice that there have been some additions out on the reserve too, and they are already going down a storm with visitors. All round the Buddleia loop there are new discovery points; a raised viewing platform with bench which offers a completely different view of the reserve out over the reeds (it's my favourite), there is a new short boardwalk cutting into the reeds out to a watery ditch (it was full of sticklebacks yesterday!) there is a new picnic area with some amazing wildlife themed benches where you can watch displaying great crested grebe and also a double jetty sticking out from the path.
And finally all the work couldn't have happened without the generous funding through the BALANCE project from EU INTERREG IV A 2 Seas Programme (see: www.balance-2seas.eu); Natural England’s Access to Nature initiative through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme; and Defra & European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through South West Coast Path, so a big thankyou to all involved.
Oh and a little bird tells me that if you were to pop down to the centre this week, you may find that the new Discovery Centre is already open for business!
Had my first trip around the reserve since the changes. Just love the platforms, boardwalks and the terrific picnic area. The carved furniture is great. The centre was very newly opened and perhaps a bit bare compared to the old version, but can recommend the warm welcome (and the carrot cake!).