Welcome to the new look blog and community pages. Apologies that it has been a while since our last blog. A few notable birds have been around on both reserves since the last update. Ruff, Lesser Yellowlegs and a Grey Phalarope were regularly on Lodmoor at the beginning of October. The Lesser Yellowlegs is still a frequent visitor and may well over winter in the area. An Osprey was seen over Radipole Lake and Lodmoor on 5th and 7th October.
Wildfowl and wader numbers are increasing as the autumn progresses with 30 Wigeon counted on 11th October and 17 Snipe observed on Lodmoor on 19th October. Over 100 Lapwings gathered at Lodmoor on 24th October along with a Cattle Egret and a Bittern sighted briefly. On 30th October over 40 Black Tailed Godwits were counted.
Photo Credits: Edmund Mackrill, RSPB Weymouth Wetlands Volunteer
Among noteworthy garden birds, a Ringed Ouzel and a Redwing were seen at the North End of Radipole on 28th and 2 Mistle Thrushes on Lodmoor on 29th October.
Also some notable bird events over the past month. An eruption of Bearded Tits took place at Radipole Lake on 9th October with over 45 individuals counted. On 1st and 6th November starling murmurations took place, with c1000 birds. A Peregrine was also seen on 1st.
On 2nd a group of 3 Scaup were observed and again the next day along with 2 Avocets and a Cattle Egret. Great White Egrets are still around and regularly seen on both reserves. Fab shot by Edmund Mackrill.
A Ring Neck Duck arrived on Lodmoor on 21st October. Observations of the Ring Neck Duck have been regularly seen At Radipole lake over the past couple of months, the duck may well over winter here.
On 12th November a Franklin's Gull was seen in the Radipole Lake car park. The gull was regularly observed until 14th November.
Photo Credits: John Wall
Very mild for the time of year causing some confusion for the plants around the reserves. Though the trees are turning shades of gold, the two Bay Trees at Radipole Lake are currently in bud. Normally Bay flowers in March/April so this is exceptionally early. Hogweed, Wild Angelica and Wild Carrot are also producing new flowers, the plants themselves are shorter in height now than they would normally be in the summer months. New shoots of Cow Parsley alongside the footpaths are well up, normally their green shoots are first seen in December so this is well over a month early.
The Work Party has been very busy recently over at Chafey’s Lake restoring the reed beds that have been neglected over the past few years. Much of the overgrown bramble has been taken out to allow the reed bed to start flourishing again over the coming year.
Photo Credits: Dave Morphew, RSPB Radipole Lake Volunteer
For more information and all the latest sightings, contact Radipole Lake Discovery Centre, details below or pop in and see us. Hot and cold refreshments and snacks available.
Telephone: 01305 778313
Email: Weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk
Website: www.rspb.org./radipolelake