Bird Watching
The Esplanade is ideally situated for the bird watching hotspots of both the internationally famous Radipole Lake and Lodmoor Country Park. Radipole Lake is less than a ten minute walk from The Esplanade, and Lodmoor is a short five minute ride on the seafront land train (there is a stop directly opposite the Hotel at the Pier Bandstand) or a flat and pleasant 15 minute stroll along Weymouth Seafront. With its easy accessibility, Radipole Lake is an ideal spot for both the long standing bird watching enthusiast as well as those new to the game. For the youngsters, special bird watching back packs including binoculars are available to borrow for free from the visitor centre. The visitor centre also puts on a number of guided walks, tours and guides for often only a nominal charge or for free.
Radipole Lake is home to many resident species. The RSPB, on their website www.rspb.org report that a typical stroll along the paths and reed beds of the Lake, you are likely to see at least eight different species of duck. No any two visits to Radipole Lake are the same. The Lake is home to an ever changing number of both migratory bird and water fowl. Autumn is changeover time. Many birds fly south to escape an artic winter whereas other summer resident species head south to continue their Indian summers. Spring sees the influx of the insect eaters. As the insects hatch, so the swallows, swifts and martins arrive. Species that can often be seen include bitterns, bearded tits, little egrets, pochards, and several types of warbler, including the rare Cetti’s warbler. Water rails, hobbies, and many species of wading bird are also prevalent at certain times of year. More information on special events, including tours and guides, is available at www.rspb.org.
Lodmoor provides a similar reedbed scenario to Radipole Lake and consequently provides habitat for similar species. Being situated directly opposite the sea, Lodmoor has one of the largest tern colonies in the south west. As well the species mentioned above, it would not be uncommon to see terns, grebes, shovelers, kingfishers, goldfinches or herons.