From flooding to the arrival of Christmas, November has certainly been an interesting month!
The beginning of the month saw staff and volunteers learning how to place in the flood barriers, in case of a flood warning. Funnily enough, less than a week later the barriers had to be put up at Radipole Lake - the water was as high as many had ever seen it and the reserves trails were completely flooded. While this pushed out most wading birds, the ducks and swans were having a great time. There's even been a pair of goldeneye swimming around the lake by the Discovery Centre over the last week. Thankfully after a week of the Discovery Centre being closed, it is now back open and while the reserve (particularly the North trail), is still a bit flooded, most of the reserve is now accessible again.
Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who came to help put up and take down the Discovery Centre flood defences.
Just before the floods rose, Radipole was able to host a school visit from Bridport Home Schooling group. It was great to show them the birds and wildlife we have on the reserve and to teach them about adaptations and food chains. If you know of a school that would be interested in coming to visit Radipole Lake or Lodmoor for a FREE school visit, don't hesitate to contact us on weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk, as we'd love to tell more children about the conservation work we do at Weymouth Wetlands.
Warden Update:
The wardens have been busy this month cutting back parts of the Discovery Loop and opening up areas of vegetation for easier viewing into the lake. They also ran the much needed flood defences training earlier in the month. They have additionally been helping to bring all the resources needed to Radipole for the Christmas Fair - 5 gazebos don't fit into a car!
Thanks to the warden team for all the hard work they do!
Radipole Lake Christmas Fair
Last Saturday, the Radipole Lake Discovery Centre hosted a Christmas Fair, jointly organised by the RSPB and SWRAC. A grand success, one volunteer said "It was great to see so many happy people in the Centre" and everyone who attended had a wonderful time taking part in the Fair games, tucking into mince pies, mulled wine and yule log, as well as browsing the many local products on sale. All staff and volunteers involved in the event are so happy to see Christmas arrive at RSPB Dorset, and look forward to this coming weekend where Pull a Pine at RSPB Arne will see us donning our Christmas hats and reindeer antlers one again.
Upcoming Events
Pull a Pine at RSPB Arne is this coming Saturday and Sunday (3rd and 4th December). Advanced booking essential and can be done here:
https://events.rspb.org.uk/browse?filter[schedule]=1506
At Radipole Lake, the New Year brings new events, you can now buy tickets for the upcoming Birdwatching for Beginners Courses - also great as an 'experience-type' Christmas present! Tickets for the two courses can be booked here:
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/28800
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/28802
To keep up to date with what’s going on at the Weymouth Wetlands, follow us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
Website: Radipole Lake
Website: Lodmoor