Keeping Radipole Lake Neat and Tidy for Nature

Keeping Radipole Lake (and Lodmoor) spick and span for our birds and wildlife is a team effort involving staff and volunteers and keep us all busy. For some people it's a full time job!  Today Dan, Discovery Centre Senior Assistant, and volunteer Charlotte took on one of the less pleasant tasks of litter picking this morning.  As Radipole is an urban reserve close to a retail park it can be challenging keeping on top of the never ending stream of litter. It can sometimes be a thankless task as we constantly have to patrol the reserve clearing up the mess other people leave or after inclement weather when the wind has blown the rubbish around.

Dan and Charlotte started outside the Discovery Centre by the duck feeding platform and cleared out around the edge of the lake. Much of the litter here comes from the retail park and ends up in hedgerows and reedbed.

At the corner of the reserve near the traffic lights the sight of rubbish and litter lying around was noticeably much worse. 

At this point Dan uncovered a folding chair, a shopping basket in the water, metal poles and the remains of a camp complete with empty beer cans and used coffee cups.

Around the fishing platform more litter presented itself, unfortunately Dan and Charlotte were unable get near enough clear it up.  It's a heartbreaking sight to see knowing that members of our society do not care about the environment that we all, people and wildlife, live in.  Dan and Charlotte had to call it a day at this stage, the rubbish bags were full. Specialist equipment, wellies and waders are required as well as transport to take it away. We even found a dead bicycle in the reeds.

Fortunately the cavalry are arriving on Sunday. The Weymouth Beach Dog Walkers are coming to lend a hand clearing up our wonderful reserve. They are gathering at the Discovery Centre at 11:00 a.m. and anyone who wishes to join them will be very welcome.  If you are able to come and help out it would be very appreciated by the staff and wildlife, bring wellies and gloves.

What Dan Charlotte were able to do this morning has made a great difference. The folding chair was taken back to the Discovery Centre and disposed of.

 Meanwhile volunteer Ben cleans the windows of the Discovery Centre so our visitors can get great views of our birds, and volunteer, Pete, holds the fort while Dan and Charlotte were out and about litter picking. (Of course, I'm doing my bit too  ;-) by following people around and taking photos of all the industrious activities happening today).

The estate team have also been working hard all week doing their bit, reed cutting and burning off small areas leaving a striped pattern on the ground. 

It is much easier to control smaller fires done in rows and the impact from the wood smoke in the immediate area is much less. The reed bed will grow back thicker and stronger for our Bearded Tits, Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings.

Around the reserve, spring is beginning to emerge from its winter slumber.  I has a walk round after this morning's litter pick. At the beginning of the Buddleia Loop, there are large patches of the purple Sweet Violets in full bloom. Along the path to the boardwalk the path is strewn with the white colour form of the Sweet Violet. As I took some pics I was surrounded by a flock of Goldfinches and Long Tailed Tits. An RSPB moment to savour.

The Goat Willow buds are also bursting by the road where cars rush past and the Blackthorn is also coming into full bloom.

Daffodils are now flowering around paths near the Discovery Centre. These are a small group of miniature Daffodils near the Buddleia Loop.

Birds seen about today are the Marsh Harrier, Hooded Merganser, Teal, Gadwall, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard, Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler, Common Gull and Mediterranean Gull.

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