With all this cold weather about you may not want to venture out too far. So I spent an hour this afternoon having a look at what wildlife was on offer around our lovely warm visitor centre at Radipole Lake. Our 'tame' Water Rail has been spending pretty much the whole day outside the visitor centre windows feeding on dropped seed from the bird feeders. But seed isn't the only food item it’s been eating......
Saturday we witnessed the demise of a male House Sparrow caused by our carnivorous Water Rail. They are known to be opportunists, eating what ever they can find but this one actually managed to grab and devour the poor sparrow. Didn't manage a picture of the incident but the picture above was taken this afternoon during my scout around the visitor centre periphery.
Other sights to be had were some teal which were hanging out around the bridge where visitors come to feed the ducks. (Note the diving Tufted Duck in the top right corner.)
Coots were also keeping a beady eye on everyone walking past in case they had some food to offer them.
As were the Black headed Gulls that were queuing up on the bridge for the same reason as the Coot.
It goes to show that you don't need to go far from the Visitor Centre to enjoy some top class Wildlife!
VC it is then!
Seize the day!