have been spicing up life at Radipole Lake and Lodmoor this week. It all started with a lonesome garganey which has been hanging out at Radipole Lake during the week. The garganey is the only duck that comes here to spend the summer and is a rare breeding bird in Britain. They are a small duck and the males are distinctive with a large white stripe on their head, they are greyish brown with darker mottling.
Male garganey, photo credit: JP Walls
Over on Lodmoor a black-winged stilt has been the main attraction, famous for its stupidly long legs but then they give it the edge enabling it to feed in deeper water than most other wading birds so it doesn’t care. Normally they hang out in saltpans around the Mediterranean but sometimes overshoot their migration from Africa landing on our shores.
‘Oh damn gone too far’ Black winged stilt at Lodmoor Photo credit: Luke Phillips, RSPB.
We have also had reports of a rare gull-billed tern at Lodmoor too. Let us know if you saw it! Like a sandwich tern but with a short, thick all black bill.
Wader migration is well underway now with bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, greenshank, common sandpiper, whimbrel and dunlin. Osprey was also seen passing through over Lodmoor.
On a cute and fluffy note the first of the baby bearded tits have emerged from the reeds so look out for them around the reserve and an adult otter and cub have been spotted too, it’s great to know that they are breeding in the area.
Baby beardie looks out. Photo credit: Luke Phillips, RSPB.
Upcoming Events
Fri 16 Nightingale Walk at Holworth 6.30-8.30 pm
Have you ever heard a nightingale sing? Not many people know that these shy little birds actually breed here in Dorset. Why not join the RSPB for a summer evening walk along part of the world famous Jurassic Coast, to try and hear one of the most beautiful songs in the bird world. There is a fairly steep hill to climb during the walk. Meet at Holworth National Trust car park above Ringstead village.
£6 Non RSPB members, £4 RSPB members, £3 children and WEX members Free. Booking required on 01305 778313.
Great post. Thanks.