Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but for us it’s a good day. Why? Because it’s blog day!
After 3 blog-less weeks our return coincides with the start of some more seasonal weather. This gives you a very good excuse to curl up in your favourite chair with a large mug of something warm and comforting, preferably with a blanket or woolly jumper, and read what has been happening at Saltholme this week…
News from the Estate:
Wellies, waders and waterproofs are essential for conservation work...Image Credit: Andy Hay, RSPB Images.
The Estates Team donned their waders (the waterproof trousers, not the birds) and set out to get Paddy’s Pool island ready for next breeding season. This may seem a little counter-intuitive, as it’s now well into October, but removing vegetation now saves work in the future. This is because removing vegetation slows the build-up of organic matter which would provide the perfect growing medium for seedlings and also creates the open space required for nesting Common Terns.
On Thursday, the waders came out again. This time, it was to cut and clear vegetation from in front of the Wildlife Watchpoint hide. As well as creating sight lines for visitors to spot wildlife, this task also means we can use the cut vegetation to create ‘islands’ in the ponds. When the water level is high during the colder (and wetter) months, waterbirds use these temporary ‘islands’ for resting, preening and posing. This benefits both the birds and the visitors that are watching them!
What’s On:
In the three weeks we weren’t writing blogs, it has scarily got closer to the start of October half-term than the end of the summer holidays. But now the autumnal colours are starting to show and there is a decided nip in the air, we’re going to tell you what you can look forward to from 28 October to 5 November…
There is amazing wildlife to see at Saltholme, and plenty of outdoor activities, whatever the weather. However, it is always good to know there is an indoor alternative to help you wait out those autumn showers. This half-term, we’re starting storytelling sessions!
On selected days throughout half-term, children (and accompanying adults…we know you want to) can take part in an interactive storytelling session followed by a craft activity. There will be puppets. There will be pom-poms. There will be paint. What’s not to like?
Just book at the Welcome Desk on the day of your visit.
The Saltholme Sorcerer may be back, but her wands have been stolen by a Wicked Wizard! He’s locked all the wands in a box and the Saltholme Sorcerer needs your help to figure out the lock code. Fortunately, the animals are also helping and have arranged themselves around the reserve to help you crack the code…maybe the Saltholme Sorcerer will even give you a wand as a thank you present!
It may seem strange to be talking about a November event in a section about October half-term, but half-term this year straddles October AND November!
So, if the name doesn’t give it away, this event is perfect if you like soup and want to watch Starling murmurations. It’s also fantastic if you’d like to see Barn Owls, Marsh Harriers or Kestrels, or simply want to enjoy the spectacular sunset at Saltholme. Tickets sell out quickly, but there are still a few left on some dates (we run this event every Thursday and Sunday in November). Visit this website to book!
Recent Sightings:
It’s getting to the time of year where Saltholme once again plays host to a wide range of migrating species. Some hang around more than others; it can be hard to keep track of all the incredible sightings. Fortunately, we’ve pulled together a few highlights for you:
Cattle egrets are stockier than Little Egrets, with a yellow beak instead of a black one. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Firstly, Cattle Egrets have been living up to their name and using cattle as perches this week. Isn’t it nice when birds cooperate with the ornithologists and behave as expected?! Speaking of cooperating, have you ever wondered why the cattle egrets like cows so much? Well, the hooves of the cattle disturb worms and other soil-dwelling creatures which make great food for the egrets! Shall we call this a bovine buffet?
The scientific name for the European Otter is Lutra lutra. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
We were very lucky to have not one, but two Otters playing and hunting at the Haverton Viewpoint on Thursday. Not only is it brilliant to have these marvellous mammals on our reserve, it’s also unusual to have such good views during the day.
Around 20,000 Pintail spend the winter in the UK, but less than 30 pairs breed here. Image Credit: Ben Hall, RSPB Images.
It is also brilliant to see the Pintail back at Saltholme Pools. These ducks can be found in coastal, intertidal and wetland areas, meaning Saltholme is the perfect place for them to relax and unwind after their bi-annual migration journey.
The Lesser Redpoll is traditionally seen in wood and scrubland areas, but now it appears to be moving back into garden spaces. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
Another sign of autumn is the presence of both Lesser Redpoll and Fieldfare, seen from the Haverton Viewpoint. Fieldfare are thrushes (a group that also includes Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Mistle Thrushes) and so eat both insects and berries. As October continues, the hedgerows at Saltholme become a great food source for these birds, containing an abundance of berries for these hungry travellers.
The Lesser Redpoll is a much smaller bird than the Fieldfare and it spends much of its time looking for seeds and invertebrates, rather than berries. The Haverton Scrubland, as well as our Discovery Zone, are therefore ideal habitats for this bird.
Well, as usual we have run out of time and space before we have run out of birds to tell you about. But don’t get too annoyed- we’re simply ending on a cliffhanger to encourage you to (a) read this blog again and (b) come and visit us! It’s a foolproof plan. So, we shall end by confidently saying… ‘See you soon’!
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Barn Owl [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/barn-owl [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Blackbird [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/blackbird [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Cattle Egret [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/cattle-egret [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Common Tern [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/common-tern [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Fieldfare [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/fieldfare [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Kestrel [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/kestrel [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Marsh Harrier [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/marsh-harrier [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Mistle Thrush [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/mistle-thrush [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Pintail [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/pintail [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Song Thrush [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/song-thrush [last accessed 13/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Starling [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/starling [last accessed 13/10/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). European Otter [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/european-otter [last accessed 13/10/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). Lesser Redpoll [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/finches-and-buntings/lesser-redpoll [last accessed 13/10/2023].