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We are now into November, so it is time once again for Top Lodge to start up our exceedingly popular series of walks to see the red kites coming into roost. Many places around the country have feeding stations that attract kites to allow people to see large numbers. But such projects can always seem...
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Autumn is definitely a nice time of year to be out and about in the woods. The weather is still warm enough to wander around without being wrapped up from head to foot. But at the same time there is often enough of a chill to tingle your nose and bring a flush to your cheeks, making you feel alive. The...
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As we move into autumn, the fallow deer that live here in Fineshade Wood are reaching the crescendo of their rutting season. Males set up 'stands', scrapes in the ground which become their patch. They then make their mating calls to try to attract females. It has best been described as a long...
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A: Because he's a fungi to be with.... OK, sorry about the terrible joke. But as we get into autumn it becomes a good time to look for all sorts of fungi in the woods. Here at Top Lodge I spotted four species just on a quick walk to the wildlife hide. King Alfred's cakes are hard black lumps...
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If you have a chance to come along to Top Lodge between now and Sunday, do be sure to look into the Big Barn. This renovated 18th century farm building is where we show footage of a red kite nest each year, following the chicks from hatching to fledging. But for this week it is acting as a gallery for...
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Crikey, it has been a wee while since the last update, hasn't it? Not because I have been sunning myself on a beach (chance would be a fine thing) but because instead I have been out and about in the local community. Whilst sites such as Top Lodge are of course very important to the RSPB, it is vital...
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On Monday I was asked to give a talk about the local red kites. Nothing unusual about that, I get to do it quite often. But the people I was talking to were the Welland Gliding Club. When flying they look out for thermals to give themselves extra lift. Kites do the same and so they often find themselves...
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The kite chicks that is. They have finally taken the plunge and are now no longer on the nest. over the last couple of weeks they had only been appearing at infrequent intervals. Usually just after the parents had dropped some food off at the nest. Mum and Dad have finally got bored of waiting hand and...
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If you've been meaning to come to Top Lodge to see the kite chicks on the nest, you'd better get your skates on. The three chicks are getting ever more adventuresome. In preparation for their first flight they have taken to 'branch hopping', where they leave the nest for nearby branches...
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It has been a busy weekend for us here at Top Lodge, as we held a summer solstice fair. Visitors were entertained by sword dancers, a juggler and live musicians. A bar provided alcoholic refreshment whist the young (or just young at heart) had fun with the games and facepainting. Then in the evening...
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I'm a free...... kite? Our three red kite chicks are now sporting their very fetching wing tags. These light plastic tags clip over the kites' wings and allow them to be identified from a distance. Reports of their movements will help us understand the kites and how they live their lives better...
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The great news from the centre is that our blue tits have fledged. Of the eight chicks, four left yesterday and the remaining ones left today. They can still be seen around the centre though, being fed by their parents. As can other baby birds such as pied wagtails and house sparrows. This weekend will...
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I'm pleased to announce that the red kite nest camera is back up and running, with three fluffy chicks on the nest. They look to be about a fortnight old and we look forward to watching them grow up, probably leaving the nest towards the end of July. As well as showing the footage in the RSPB shop...
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Great news from the blue tit nest camera. For the last day or two mum has been getting increasingly restless on the nest. Then this afternoon when she moved over to take some food from her partner, we saw a little pink squirming blob, in amongst the eggs. The first of the chicks. Its already been begging...
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No, not a new item on the menu of the Top Lodge cafe. But instead a reference to a new visitor to the pool in front of the wildlife hide. A pair of mandarin ducks (mandarin, orange.... oh suit yourselves) have been frequently spotted. These ducks were originally brought over from asia as exotic additions...