The coot makes a high pitched chirp whist showing all the behaviours of a mating display. It has been a lovely sunny start to the week and the birds are gathering up momentum for the upcoming breeding season. A pair of great crested grebes were together on the water, this is another sign they that it is early spring. The green winged teal is still at the reserve as well as two shelduck.
The estate team and volunteers have been in today to work on the Saltholme pool hide because throughout the winter a certain amount of water has been leaking into the hide. The position of the hide is near to the water so that people can get a good view across the water where the birds gather and feed.
Inside the hide with some heavy duty machinery, Mike and Ian were working to make a hole in the concrete floor where a drainage pipe can be put in. Outside of the hide everyone else was digging a trench so the pipe can be channelled out of the hide in preparation for the future to stop any water from staying within the hide.
The Saltholme pool hide may still be work in progress for a few more days. A variety of birds have been seen over the weekend with twite, water rail, Red Poll and kingfisher seen in short walking distance from the visitors centre. Fingers crossed for more sun this week!
- Josh McGowan