Its turning into an exciting week at Radipole Lake nature reserve. After the team carried out a clear up of the earth bank by the north hide removing vegetation, extending and compacting it, they were rewarded for their hard work by the arrival of a pair of kingfishers just the next day! They have set to excavating it with their beaks to make a nest, which is fantastic. This is really welcome news as since they first nested here in 2011 they have not breed. In 2012 they were flooded out and did not attempt last year so we have everything crossed this year will be a success for them.
Kingfisher on perch. (rspb-images.com)
Oh yes and when you are not staring at an earth bank don’t forgot to watch the skies for the Sky dancing marsh harriers who are getting into spirit of this warm spring weather by performing some fabulous tricks tumbling down through the air at great speed and only pulling up at the last minute, all to impress the girls of course. This warm weather brought out those colourful butterflies too with small tortoiseshell, red admiral, peacock and brimstone all floating around Radipole Lake.
Brimstone male butterflies are a wonderful yellow/green colour and look like leaves with their angular shape and veining which makes for great camouflage when they settle on plants. Photo credit: Lyn Pullen
At Lodmoor 3/4 spoonbills are still an impressive sight.
Its too late to make a home for nature where you live visit:: http://homes.rspb.org.uk/