Recent Sightings at Lodmoor and Radipole Lake

Things have moved on since my last visit to Radipole Lake three weeks ago.  Quite a number of our Hawthorn trees are weighed down with their white blossoms almost like a snow drift.  The Guelder Rose is about to burst into flower, Cow Parsley, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Hogweed are also coming into bloom.  The Common Comfey is blooming at its best, the flowers in various shades of cream through to deep pink and lilac-purple.  The Marsh Marigolds are still flowering but becoming hidden by the flowering Greater Pond Sedge.  Yellow Irises are also now coming into flower, a splash of yellow among the green of the reeds.

With flowers and sunshine come the butterflies.  Orange Tips have been seen on the wing as well as Peacocks, Red Admirals, Common Blues, Speckled Woods and Small Tortoiseshell.  

Butterflies Photo Credit: Martin Jones-Gill

Swallows are now a common sight and sound on Radipole Lake and the reedbeds are noisy with Sedge Warblers and Cetti's Warblers. Recent sightings include 10 Cattle Egrets on the new scrape to the north of Radipole Lake.  A Swan Goose and Egyptian Goose were seen on Lodmoor.  A Red Rumped Swallow has been seen on both reserves recently.

Saving the best until last, a booming make Bittern is being heard over on Lodmoor. RSPB Volunteer Leslie Crofts was fortunate enough to be on Lodmoor with his camera when the Bittern flew overhead on 27th April.

Photo Credit: Leslie Crofts

The very next day Leslie saw an otter swimming in the river at Radipole Lake and managed get a snap. Water Voles have also recently been seen my visitors to the reserve.

Photo Credit: Leslie Crofts

The first fluffy chicks have been seen taking their first tentative wobbly steps on the reserve. A Mallard with 10 ducklings, a Moorhen with 2 chicks and a Canada Geese pair with 6 goslings.  More families to be are on the way!

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