Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Things are ramping up for Easter at Saltholme, with birds pairing up and lots of events planned for the Easter break. Read all about what has been going on this week.
News from the Estate:
The estates team have been fencing this week, by which we mean they have been repairing the fence that borders our Wilderness Trail. But that isn’t all; you may have noticed the willow barrier forming around our welly splash. The team have been working hard to create this barrier, allowing the formation of a new viewing area overlooking the main lake.
The overflow car park (and staff car park) has also been cleared of the cut vegetation, leaving them looking much neater!
What’s On:
It’s been another busy week at Saltholme, with lots of comings and goings. Here is a quick round-up:
The classes of Years 1 and 2 from Romanby Primary School learned all about pond and land minibeasts on their visits to Saltholme. As well as having a great time away from the classroom, they also helped us mark Draw a Bird Day with a wonderful display of Post-It note drawings in our Wild Challenge area.
If you are interested in booking a trip to Saltholme for your school, contact our Learning Officer- Josh Swales- at josh.swales@rspb.org.uk or visit our website.
Harry Otter has been out and about again this week. As well as continuing his one-otter mission to show the world how great Saltholme is, he has been helping our Learning Team with school trips! His exploits have been uploaded to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Image Credit: Helen Pugh, RSPB Images
Schools break up today! So, as of tomorrow, Easter holiday fun is upon us. We will be running an eggs-ellent activity trail throughout the Easter break- use your detective skills to find the eggs and figure out who they belong to! And the fun doesn’t stop there; over the Easter weekend, pond dipping returns to Saltholme! Ask at the front desk to book a half-hour, led session for up to 6 people.
Last but not least, we will be running an Easter egg hunt over the Easter weekend. Listen to a story, then find a plastic egg hidden on the reserve. Take this back to the visitor centre to exchange for a chocolate egg! Ask at the front desk to book a place.
With everything going on, we hope to see you at some point over the Easter break!
Recent Sightings:
Image Credit: Andy Hay, RSPB Images
The big excitement this week has been the view of a Ringed Plover. But what is particularly special about this is that it was seen displaying (trying to attract a mate). If its display is successful and a pair breed here, it would be the first recorded breeding pair of ringed plover at Saltholme!
Image Credit: Tim Hughes, RSPB Images
Speaking of breeding, our black-headed gulls are pairing up and beginning to think about building nests and laying eggs! These birds only have their eponymous black head during the breeding season, and we are seeing more and more of these birds developing this plumage. This is a really good sign for the upcoming summer.
Of course, there has been much more than this happening at Saltholme. One of our hide guides, Ian Robinson, has filmed another brilliant round-up of the species seen at Saltholme. Check it out here.
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Black-headed gull [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/black-headed-gull/ [last accessed 07/04/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Ringed Plover [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/ringed-plover/ [last accessed 07/04/2022].