Radipole Lake

The third day of our break in Weymouth started with a morning visit to Radipole Lake RSPB reserve.  Apart from a few Gulls flying around the first bird I saw was a Great White Egret, so a pretty decent start.  The odd Cetti's Warbler was in song as I headed towards the Buddlia walk, where a Ring-necked Duck had been seen the previous day.  It did not take too long to find it but it was rather distant.  However, it did appear to be feeding fairly close to the far bank close to Radipole Park Drive, so I planned to try there later.
I carried on to the North hide where I saw another two Great White Egrets but nothing else of note.  So heading back I checked the Gulls that were resting in the car park (see below) before parking up by the tennis courts and checking out the Ring-necked Duck at much closer range.

Great White Egret - One of three on the reserve.

Ring-necked Duck - A 1st winter male. 

Mediterranean Gull - Radipole is a reliable place for this species.  Two of about 20 in the car park.

Mediterranean Gulls - Note the colour ringed bird Green "R84J"  (see map below).  Also seen was  White "3JPL" which was ringed in May 2015 in Antwerp, Belguim.

The distance travelled by Green R84J.  It was ringed in Berendrecht, Antwerpen, BELGIUM on 30th May 2015 Since then it has been seen 19 times at Radipole Lake but has also visited Northern France in late summer 2017 and 2018.

Herring Gull - Seen in the car park at Radipole Lake and wearing colour ring Black "744".  A locally ringed individual which was ringed on 22nd July 2018 and seen at Radipole six times since..

Brown Rat - Taking advantage of food being put down for the ducks!