Radipole Lake RSPB
This reserve is in the centre of Weymouth and has plenty to offer to families and birdwatchers alike. There are panoramic views of the reserve from the visitor centre and there is easy access to the rest of the reserve along firm paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Wildlife highlights: The large reedbed, open water, flood meadows and bushes attract many different birds. Bearded tits and Cetti's warblers can be seen all year. They are joined in summer by reed, sedge and grasshopper warblers and in autumn by a variety of migrating birds. In winter, bitterns, pochard and tufted ducks can be observed. Otters have been seen, and butterflies are plentiful.
STOP PRESS
‘The Visitor Centre closed temporarily in January 2012 as the RSPB is embarking on an exciting programme of improvements to create a second-to-none destination for people to connect with nature. The reserve is still open however and events are being held such as pond dipping and guided walks. To find out about events please visit the website at www.rspb.org.uk/events.
‘The new Visitor Centre will be officially opened in May 2012 and will contain fantastic new features including a media wall with live nest cams and footage from underwater cameras and remote night cameras, indoor seating, visitor toilets and catering for hot and cold drinks, food and a facility for visitors to order RSPB goods online.
‘A new Family Trail will also be open from May to complement the duck-feeding and pond-dipping platforms already in place. It will include new boardwalk trails, viewing platforms, some of them raised to give bird's eye views into otherwise hidden areas of reedbeds, ditches and open water. There will also be a new storytelling and general recreation/picnic area.'
Opening times
Visitor centre - daily 9 am to 5 pm, 4 pm in winter; hide - 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Centre and hide closed Christmas and Boxing Day.
Charges For use of hide, non-members - adult £2.50, child 50p, concession £1.50, family ticket £4.
Location. Radipole Lake is near the centre of Weymouth, within easy walking distance. There is a car park and visitor centre.
Weymouth
Dorset
Tel: 01305 778313
Grid reference: SY672805
Click here for more details.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment