Spring is on the move! The days are now getting noticeably longer and the Winter Trail has just closed for this season. Violets are in full bloom as are the catkins on the Alder trees, a very early Hogweed is nearly ready to flower, the Daffodils outside the Discovery Centre are in bud nearly ready to burst, the Cow Parsley and Hemlock Water Dropwort leaves are well up now.
On the bird front, a Spoonbill and Whimbrel have been seen at Lodmoor today, a booming Bittern was heard yesterday. At Radipole Lake, Cetti's Warblers and Chiff Chaffs are starting to sing along with the Goldcrests, Long-Tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Robins and Blue Tits. Superb views today of Bearded Tits feeding on the Reed near the Viewing Shelter on the Buddleia Loop.
Bearded Tits - Photo credit RSPB Radipole Lake Volunteer Martin Jones-Gill
Which brings me nicely to the latest news on the Scrape Viewing Shelter. Construction started nearly two weeks ago with the arrival of all the materials which became known as the 'jenga pile'. Our RSPB estate team volunteer snapper, Dave Morphew, has been taking photos of the structure during its construction stages.
The shelter will be on the same scale of our now closed North Hide. There are three sides with plenty of look outs over the scrape, the roof will be open air but with some covered areas to shelter from the rain. The views will be similar to the North with additional views of the New Scrape as can be seen in the photos below with the old North Hide in the background.
A dramatic view of the Scrape from the new Viewing Shelter below.
The finishing touches to the Shelter and the paths are still to be done. All being well, the new Viewing Shelter will be open to the public sometime in March. We will keep you posted.
All Viewing Shelter Photo Credits: Dave Morphew, RSPB estates volunteer
For further information and the latest sightings, contact Radipole Lake Discovery Centre, details below or pop in and see us. Hot and cold refreshments, sandwiches and snacks available.
Telephone: 01305 778313
E-mail: Weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk
Website: www.rspb.org.uk/radipolelake