Radipole Lake, Weymouth - 7th December.

The weather was sunny and windy, with one rain shower! Highlights were Ruddy Ducks and Mediterranean Gull.

6 people met us at the visitors centre at Radipole Lake, Weymouth. We found them sheltering from the wind in the visitors centre clasping cups of coffee. The large car park had a flock of Mallard with one or two Moorhens wandering about and lots of Black-headed Gulls with a few Herring Gulls. The visitors centre looks out over a lake with a small island in it. There were Black-headed, Herring, Common and a few Lesser Black-backed Gull in a large flock. A few Cormorant and Lapwing were resting on the island and Coot, Shoveler, Teal and Moorhen were out on the water.
Once the coffees were finished we braved the wind!! We were hoping to see Bearded Tit, but they tend to shelter down in the reeds during wind, so we would need luck! We wandered off. Past all the Mallard with a few Coot and 2 Tufted Duck and on through the reeds. At one point where we could see the river, we stopped to look at a Little Grebe that was on the far side. Tracy said “What duck is that? It’s got a blue bill!!” It was a lovely male Ruddy Duck and 3 females were behind it. They stayed in view for a while before swimming off.
We carried on along the path for a while seeing only a couple of Carrion Crows, which flew over. The path soon overlooked more lake. Here there was another flock of gulls for us to scan through. More Black-headed, Common and Herring with a few Greater Black-backed. There was also a flock of Pochard with some Tufted Duck and a couple of Great-crested Grebe. As we scanned the gull flock, a rain shower arrived and Lyz spotted a Mediterranean Gull. A few of us saw it and then part of the flock took off. The Med. Gull must have gone with them, because careful scanning after this could not relocate it. Before we moved off we heard an eerie pig like squealing coming from the reeds behind us. “Water Rail” said John Brailsford!
We got to the hide (after the rain had finished) and entered. It was fairly quiet, which was to be expected on a very windy day like this. Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Coot were feeding in the shallows A Heron or two could be seen and some Little Grebes. After a while we walked back to the visitors centre with thoughts of hot chocolate pushing us on. Outside there were a few House Sparrows at the feeder and a Pied Wagtail in the car park. An enjoyable, if windy walk, with Ruddy Duck to please everyone!
Simon Curson