It's a lovely sunny day on the reserve today. Lodmoor currently has 5 Spoonbills and the female Marsh Harrier, a firecrest was reported at Lodmoor Country Park, while Radipole has the male Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull in the car park and cetti's warblers singing. 

Mediterranean Gull

Photo Credit: Stephanie Calvert

Sunday 6th March is Mother's Day. Free hot drink for all Mums! Judy, Friday DC volunteer, has been arranging bunches of daffodils for the tables in the Discovery Centre ready for Sunday. Spring is definitely on its way!

Sunday 13th March is Dorset Women's Day. To celebrate our Membership Development Manager, Lynne Burningham, is leading a guided walk around Radipole Lake from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All are welcome - no need to book. Meet at the Discovery Centre. Lynne will also be talking about how the RSPB movement began by a group of women.

The RSPB was formed to counter the barbarous trade in plumes for women's hats, a fashion responsible for the destruction of many thousands of egrets, birds of paradise and other species whose plumes had become fashionable in the late Victorian era.

There had already been concern earlier in the century about the wholesale destruction of such native birds as great crested grebes and kittiwakes for their plumage, leading to such early legislation as the Sea Birds Preservation Act of 1869 and the Wild Birds Protection Act of 1880, but the trigger which led to the foundation of the Society for the Protection of Birds in 1889 was the continued wearing of ever more exotic plumes.

Protesters Against the Plume Trade

In its earliest days the Society consisted entirely of women who were moved by the emotional appeal of the plight of young birds left to starve in the nest after their parents had been shot for their plumes. The rules of the Society were simple:

  • That Members shall discourage the wanton destruction of Birds, and interest themselves generally in their protection 
  • That Lady-Members shall refrain from wearing the feathers of any bird not killed for purposes of food, the ostrich only excepted.

Some of the Society's staunchest supporters were the very kind of people who might have been expected to wear the plumes – people such as the Duchess of Portland The Duchess had a strong interest in the welfare of birds and in 1891 became the first, and longest-serving, president of the Society for the Protection of Birds - a position which she held until her death and in which she helped the society obtain its royal charter. She was also active on behalf of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, serving as vice-president and president of the ladies' committee.

A number of influential figures, including the leading ornithologist of the day, Professor Alfred Newton lent their support to the cause, which gained widespread publicity and popularity, leading to a rapid growth in the Society's membership and a widening of its aims.

Indeed the young Society was so successful that it was granted its Royal Charter in 1904, just 15 years after being founded.

For more information on any of the above, contact Radipole Lake Discovery Centre or pop in and see us. Hot and cold refreshments and snacks available,

Telephone: 01305 778313

E-mailWeymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk

Websitewww.rspb.org.uk/radipolelake