Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
It may only be mid-February, but there are the first stirrings of spring at Saltholme. Trees are beginning to bud, the first of the breeding birds are beginning to arrive and some of the braver members of the team are walking around in T-shirts (inside and for brief periods, but we’re getting there!). Read on to find out more!
News from the Estate:
The work party started preparing Saltholme for returning sand martins this week. Image Credit: Adam Jones
Our estates team have been playing in the sand this week. No castles were built though. Instead, the team were preparing the artificial sand martin nesting bank for the coming breeding season. They tamped down existing sand to collapse the nesting burrows of last year (which may now contain parasites) before topping up the bank with fresh, clean sand. This allows the birds to dig new burrows in which to raise chicks. So, it’s probably quite appropriate that the work party started this task on Valentine’s Day…here’s hoping another successful breeding season follows!
As well as helping out the soon-to-be-returning sand martins, the team have also been busy repairing the fences around our Philstead Hide. You may think this is a less crucial part of conservation work but, by preventing cattle from wandering wherever they want, fences protect ground-nesting birds and prevent disturbance to feeding wildlife.
What’s On:
Are you sitting comfortably? If not, pause now and put the kettle on; grab a cushion and settle down because there are a lot of things that have been happening this week that we intend to tell you about…
Firstly, on Wednesday we welcomed the first school group of 2023 to Saltholme! Children from Rose Wood Academy learned all about our minibeasts and birds; one class even found a newt during their deadwood hunting session! To make things even better, the children spotted a stoat from the Wildlife Watchpoint hide, as well as little egret, moorhen and coot. Fancy bringing your class to Saltholme, or know someone who might? Contact our Learning Officer- Josh Swales- through josh.swales@rspb.org.uk.
If that wasn’t enough excitement for you, this week has also marked the return of Welly Dogs to Saltholme. Yes, you heard us correctly…WELLY DOGS. Dogs made out of wellies/wellies made into dogs. There are other boot-related animals hidden amongst these rubbery canines, so why not come along this half-term to see how many you can identify? Remember that this trail is free!
Speaking of half-term, we have plenty of activities running to keep the entire family amused when the kids are off next week. You could make and decorate your own nestbox in our Nestbox Building Workshops, complete Harry Otter’s Valentines Trail (£1.50 per trail sheet), build dens in our Discovery Zone, cook up something in our mud kitchen, test your footwear in our welly splash and enjoy our incredible wildlife. There is something for everyone to enjoy, so why not come along and see for yourself?
Recent Sightings:
We have installed a predator fence to try and boost the breeding success of ground-nesting birds – such as avocets- at Saltholme. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
No matter what you, the weather or the rest of the universe may think, we know that spring is on its way. How? THE AVOCETS ARE BACK! The first couple of birds returned to their favourite patch at Saltholme Pools on Thursday this week. Avocets are beautiful birds that hold a special place in our heart as the emblem of the RSPB; they are a conservation success story, having recolonised the UK in the 1940s due to habitat restoration.
Despite their name, oystercatchers tend to eat mussels and cockles in coastal areas. Inland birds feed mainly on worms. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Also returning in readiness for the warmer, sunnier months is the oystercatcher. Two of these striking birds have been recorded on our main lake (visible from the visitor centre). Their high-pitched call is unmistakeable (follow the link above to listen to it), as are their beautiful orange bills and legs.
The great crested grebe is another species that is in the process of recovering from a massive population decline in the 19th and 20th centuries. This bird was hunted for its feathers, which were used as decorations on ladies’ hats. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Still not convinced the turn of the season is nearly upon us? Well, the great crested grebes are (literally) here to prove you wrong. Ok, ok, we know it’s only February (but how it’s February 2023 is beyond us), but the return of these graceful divers to our main lake and Haverton Viewpoint is a sure sign that things will begin to look up soon.
Treecreepers leave their breeding territories in autumn, which is why we see more of this predominantly woodland bird in the colder months. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Just in case we got too excited about the coming spring, a treecreeper showed up at the Wildlife Watchpoint hide on Tuesday to remind us that the mornings are still pretty chilly. With its downcurved bill and gorgeously patterned feathers, this species is adapted for picking insects and spiders off the trunks of trees. They range further in winter in search of food, which is why we have been lucky enough to record one here.
So, all in all, not bad for a random week in February! With spring slowly but steadily inching closer, who knows what wonderful wildlife may be spotted over the coming days. You’ll have to visit us to see for yourself…
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Avocet [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/avocet/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Coot [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/coot/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Great Crested Grebe [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/great-crested-grebe/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Little Egret [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/little-egret/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Moorhen [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/moorhen/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Oystercatcher [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/oystercatcher/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Sand Martin [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/sand-martin/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Treecreeper [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/treecreeper/ [last accessed 16/02/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). Stoat [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/stoat [last accessed 16/02/2023].