The marsh harriers have given us a scare recently after the male seemed to disappear for a couple of days, this was worrying as he should be bringing food in to the chicks or food passing to the female. Shirking his parental responsibilities surely not! Thankfully just as we were tweeting about it he returned and since then the first of the young marsh harriers have fledged from Lodmoor with 3 now testing out their wings over the reserve, very exciting!
Some of our volunteers based up at north hide were treated to some very unusual hunting behaviour from the female marsh harrier at Radipole Lake who was seen flying into the top of a tree and coming out clutching a magpie. Behaviour more suited to sparrowhawks than marsh harriers!
Excitingly a bittern has also been spotted flying close to the Discovery Centre at Radipole Lake, a rare occurance in June, all encouraging signs for this bird at our Weymouth nature reserves.
The skies are full of activity and colour at the moment with lots of dragonflies and butterflies on the wing and newly emerged moths; scarlet tiger and burnet. At Lodmoor a grass snake was seen swimming up the channel.
One lucky chap who kindly donated to the Chesil Beach Little Tern Project in return for a guided tour of Radipole Lake to see bearded tit was rewarded with great views of them and the masses of young about at the moment and walking back from the hide an otter was spotted along the River Wey too! Check out the fantastic pictures below.
Bearded tit. Photo credit: Jim Lodge
Otter. Photo credit: Jim Lodge
Coming soon! Chesil Beach Little Tern Project Blog
Up coming events
Fridays in July
11,18 & 25 Bat Walks at Radipole Lake 9-11 pm
Everyone knows us for our birds but Radipole has a healthy bat population too. Join us as the night-shift clocks on for a walk and talk to find out more about these fascinating mammals. Bat detecting equipment will be available to borrow and we guarantee no bats in your hair! £6 Non RSPB members, £4 RSPB members, £3 children and WEX members free. Booking required on 01305 778313.
Thanks for the update Emma and excellent photo's to complement it.
Seize the day!