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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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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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No, our staff have not been drinking. The bears in question are not large mammals, but instead the caterpillars of the garden tiger moth. These are nicknamed 'woolly bears' due to their hairy appearance. They have spent the winter hibernating in crevices and under the soil. Now that warmer weather...
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But we certainly are not getting fat. In fact we are busier than ever with two exciting events to prepare for. This Sunday sees the start of our red kite roost walk season. We are running walks to see the entirely natural spectacle of red kites coming to roost at night every Sunday and Wednesday from...
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Today is a busy day for us here at Top Lodge, as we are holding a 'Meet the RSPB' event. Visitors can come along to hear about all the marvelous work the RSPB does, both locally with the red kites and also across the rest of the country and internationally. We have a year long programme of events...
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Last week was a chance for staff and volunteers to leave the centre and meet the local community as we travelled to Leicester. There we took part in BBC Radio Leicester's annual garden show, spreading the word about the Homes For Wildlife campaign, and giving help and advice on how to attract birds...
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No, not tales of brave knights and fearsome creatures. For that you'll have to wait for our 'Medieval Christmas' event that is being planned. Instead I'm talking about insects. With the warmer weather of late we have been seeing ever increasing numbers of both dragonflies and damselflies...
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True to form, the red kite chicks have been popping on and off the nest for all of last week. At anyone time, visitors could see anything from an empty nest to all three youngsters, sitting around and bickering. Some of the spats have been quite fierce, although no grudges ever seem to be held. One minute...
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A common sound to be heard whenever children visit relatives, but equally true for our kite chicks. Seeing them every day, you don't appreciate how quickly they are growing in size, but having just come back from 4 days off the increase was quite apparent. Already the two larger chicks are starting...
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We were pleased to find a Turtle Dove out by the wildlife hide earlier in the week. These smart birds, whose purring coos used to be as much a sign of the summer in the South and East as swallows have in recent years suffered a marked decline. Numbers have dropped by three quarters in the last 30 years...
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After the cold weather at the start of Spring, things are definitely now hotting up. Swallows are showing off their aerobatic skills around the centre buildings and building their nests. In the woods, cuckoos are calling with what has to be one of the most evocative of all bird calls whilst grasshopper...
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Welcome to the new Top Lodge blog. The red kite nest camera will come online in May. But do come and visit us in the meantime. Ravens fly overhead, warblers are singing in the woods and adders bask in the sun. Plus, look our for our dawn chorus walk on 3 May (5 - 8 am) and our exciting 'Meet the...