Latest Sightings and a Seasonal Trail Update

It's an autumnal warm day at Radipole Lake. The Discovery Centre has become festive with it's Christmas tree from the Pull a Pine day at Arne last week. The Friday morning monthly Toddler Group had their Christmas party with some festive songs filling the air.

The Kingfisher was seen several times outside the Discovery Centre window. Clouds of Black Headed and Mediterranean Gulls filled the sky from time to time indicating that the Marsh Harrier was around.  Five Black Tailed Godwits came flying in and settled on the island.

The new seasonal trail has now opened taking visitors to a part of the reserve not normally open to the general public. As it was a lovely day I went up to take a look accompanied by several Robins and Cetti Warblers on the way. 

The gate by the bridge which had been locked over the past few weeks has now been re-opened. I met a couple of visitors who reported that they had seen an otter earlier from the bridge at about 11:00 a.m. 

The boardwalk and North Hide are closed but the sign indicates where the trail continues. This area was noisy with Bearded Tits pinging in the reedbeds. There were about 15 to 20 in the group I saw this morning.

The trail leads you towards the top of the reserve past reedbeds where more Bearded Tits were heard pinging.

Wellies are essential to explore this part of the reserve. After rain this area can get very muddy and marshy.

A newly constructed viewing screen over looks the new North Pools. It was quiet today but this area will develop over the winter months and will be a welcome refuge for our birds.