Image Credit: Brian Clasper
What a week! It feels like species rarely seen in this part of the country have been hurling themselves at us from all directions. It just shows, in our completely unbiased opinion, the quality of our reserve- there is always something amazing to see, critical conservation work to learn about and plenty of awesome events to keep everyone amused. Read on for more!
News from the Estate:
Image Credit: Verity Hill, RSPB Images
The combination of beautiful sunshine and biblical rain has meant the vegetation has had- no pun intended- a field day when it comes to growth. This means that the Estates Team have had plenty of in-the-field days making sure that visitors can still see the paths (and therefore the wildlife from the paths).
There is a conservation function to this too. Our paths also function as basking places for butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and other insects. If we let the paths get too overgrown, we reduce the number of areas that these creatures can use to warm up. This in turn can affect how active they are.
Of course, the other benefit of cutting sections of vegetation is that we vary the vegetation height structure on the reserve. Different densities of vegetation attracts different species (insects, birds, mammals and everything in between) and so increases the diversity on our reserve. Which means our lucky visitors see even more when they come and see us!
What’s On:
Both Elephant Hawkmoth (pictured above) and Small Elephant Hawkmoth can be found at Saltholme. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Despite the fact it’s only June, it’s already June 2023. But we don’t have time for an existential crisis because that means there are plenty of events to organise! We are gearing up for a summer packed with fun for visitors of all ages. To give you a taste of what is to come, we’ve pulled together a few highlights…
We’re very lucky at Saltholme to have resident moth experts. What’s even better is that we arrange to show you the incredible moths that we have caught in our moth trap! That’s exactly what happened on Thursday morning: Ed Pritchard (our Warden) told lucky visitors incredible facts about the moth species caught the night before. This included Poplar Hawkmoth, Eyed Hawkmoth, Elephant Hawkmoth and Ghost Moth. There have been well over 400 moth species recorded at Saltholme, so if you want to learn more about these beautiful insects we are the place to be!
This sold-out event starts on 1 July! And it’s easy to see why it’s sold out- get exclusive out-of-hours access to the reserve and experience our incredible nocturnal wildlife. With plenty of activities running throughout the evening (including a bat walk as the sun sets- bring your cameras), the Big Wild Sleepout will be an incredible experience for people of all ages. Don’t worry if you missed out on tickets- the event will be returning next year!
You may not have time to spend all night at Saltholme, but it’s not just the Big Wild Sleepout where you can get incredible views of wildlife. Throughout the summer holidays (22 July to 3 September) we will be running pond dipping and meadow sweeping sessions as well as our Saltholme Safari. By booking onto these sessions (running every half hour between 10am and 3pm on selected weekdays and weekends) you can discover what lives in our ponds, on our meadows and under the logs and wood in our Discovery Zone. You’ll be amazed at what you can find!
Recent Sightings:
If there is an ID guide that specifically looks at warbler species (yes, yes we know there is already but roll with it), it should be called ’50 Shades of Beige’. And boy have there been a lot of beige birds this week…
This insect-eating bird is most often seen in southern England. Image Credit: Brian Clasper
First up is a bird that has not been seen in Cleveland for 20 years…the Savi’s Warbler. It sounds a little like a Grasshopper Warbler, looks a little like a Cetti’s Warbler and is usually seen in reeds…like the Reed Warbler. So not like it’s an identification challenge or anything. But there has been a confirmed sighting this week! It has picked a spot that isn’t easily accessible, so instead of telling you here please just contact us (either in person or on the phone) and we will happily give you directions.
The Marsh Warbler is of serious conservation concern in the UK, with fewer than 10 breeding pairs thought to be present each year. Image Credit: BirdSpot
Next is a warbler that is more of an olive-beige colour (exciting, isn’t it?)- a Marsh Warbler. This is another bird that doesn’t often visit Saltholme. It has been singing its heart out near to the Dorman’s Pool hide. And what a song! Click on the link above for a chance to hear it or come along and see if you can see (and hear) the bird for yourself this weekend.
The Great Reed Warbler is the largest warbler species in Europe. Image Credit: Wikipedia
The Great Reed Warbler is still greatly warbling in the reeds by our Estates Compound. Its main distinguishing feature is its size- it can be up to 20 centimetres long! For context, the Reed Warbler only reaches about 13 centimetres. The head of the Great Reed Warbler is also proportionally larger than other warbler species.
The Yellow Wagtail is a summer visitor; it spends the winter months in Africa. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Imagine that yellow, for the purposes of continuity, is just the brightest form of beige. If that is true, the Yellow Wagtail is another beige bird that has graced us with its presence this week. This beautiful bird is usually found on farmland or wet pastures, so the wet grassland of Saltholme provides it with the perfect habitat. Unfortunately this species is not doing too well nationally, being on the Red List (indicating the highest level of conservation concern in the UK) so it is very special to have the Yellow Wagtail here.
European Otters are excellent swimmers- their young are in the water at 10 weeks old! Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
We will finish on a species that isn’t a beige bird, but a dark beige mammal…we have had great views of Otters this week! They have been seen both from our Haverton Viewpoint and from the Savi’s Warbler Viewpoint (again, just ask a member of staff for details on where this is).
As you can see, there is plenty happening at RSPB Saltholme. We have only mentioned a tiny proportion of species (this week, only those that fit the ‘Beige’ theme) and there is plenty more amazing wildlife to discover. One of our Hide Guides- Ian Robinson- has filmed this video to show you the range of species that we have on-site. It’s just enough to whet your appetite for (hint, hint) a visit to our wonderful reserve.
We hope to see you soon!
References and Additional Reading
British Trust for Ornithology (2023). Great Reed Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/great-reed-warbler [last accessed 22/06/2023].
Butterfly Conservation (2023). Elephant Hawkmoth [webpage]. Accessed through https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/elephant-hawk-moth [last accessed 23/06/2023].
Butterfly Conservation (2023). Eyed Hawkmoth [webpage]. Accessed through https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/eyed-hawk-moth [last accessed 23/06/2023].
Butterfly Conservation (2023). Ghost Moth [webpage]. Accessed through https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/ghost-moth [last accessed 23/06/2023].
Butterfly Conservation (2023). Poplar Hawkmoth [webpage]. Accessed through https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/poplar-hawk-moth [last accessed 23/06/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Cetti’s Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/cettis-warbler/ [last accessed 22/06/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Grasshopper Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/grasshopper-warbler/ [last accessed 22/06/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Marsh Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/marsh-warbler/ [last accessed 22/06/2023]
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Reed Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/reed-warbler/ [last accessed 22/06/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Savi’s Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/savis-warbler/ [last accessed 22/06/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Yellow Wagtail [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/yellow-wagtail/ [last accessed 22/06/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). European Otter [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/european-otter [last accessed 23/06/2023].