Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
Hello and welcome back to the blog! The summer holidays are in full swing- even the sunshine has joined the party. We’ve been making the most of the good weather, with plenty of conservation work to continue and enough family activities to keep even the most persistent toddler happy. Want to read more about it? Of course you do!
News from the Estate:
Bracken is thought to be the most common plant in the world. It is found on every continent except Antarctica! Image Credit: Sarah Porter, RSPB Images.
First and foremost is, of course, our conservation efforts. The wonderful Estates Team- who are out and about in all weathers- have been enjoying the fact that waterproofs have, for once, not been necessary. They have used this surprising addition to the British Summer to control levels of bracken at Saltholme. How do you control bracken? You bash it.
Bashing Bracken bruises bracken bases. Bruising bracken breaks broadening bracken, benefitting bees.
Ok, ok, we’ll behave. By hitting the bracken and bruising the stem, the bracken plant is weakened. This prevents the bracken from spreading, giving more space for wildflowers, which pollinators such as bees and butterflies use as a food source.
And that is not the only thing the Estates Team have been up to this week. Visitors on Tuesday and Thursday may well have seen teams of people strimming near our anti-predator fence. While taking strimmers close to an electric fence may seem a bit…daft, there is a very good reason for this. Sea Club-rush has been growing like there’s no tomorrow along the fence line and, when it touches the fence, removes charge from the anti-predator fence. This makes it less of an anti-predator fence and more of a suggest-predators-don’t-go-here-please fence. But now that the Sea Blub-rush is back under control, the fence is now back to full working order. And don’t worry, we turned off the electricity supply before anyone started strimming anything.
What’s On:
Water Mites are one of the many creatures we find during our Pond Dipping sessions. Image Credit: Neil Phillips, RSPB Images.
Did you know it’s the summer holidays? If you hadn’t guessed from the shadows around the eyes of grandparents or from the number of ice creams we’re getting through, you may have guessed it from the number of incredible family activities that we’re running! Here’s a brief overview of what’s been going on this week:
We have run pond dipping sessions every day this week and boy have we found a lot! Over 100 children have explored the contents of the Discovery Zone Pond (just with nets, don’t panic- all children remained dry), unearthing Water Boatmen, Newts, Leeches, Flatworms, Bloodworms and much more!
We love introducing families to an underwater world that often goes unnoticed. It can be so easy to overlook pond ecology and its importance. Our pond dipping sessions, at just £2 per child, are the perfect introduction to this ecosystem. Just book at the Welcome Desk on your next visit!
Back by popular demand, our Saltholme Safari sessions are an incredible introduction to Saltholme and its wildlife. For £3.50 per child, you can spend an hour exploring the many species of Saltholme and the habitats in which they live! Sound intriguing? Book using the link above or you can book tickets on the day of your visit- we will be running the Saltholme Safari on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.
Recent Sightings:
If you think the wildlife would be in hiding due to the heat and sheer number of visitors, think again! We have had many unusual sightings this week, and we will focus on just a few here…
As well as the eponymous green legs, look for the slightly upturned bill of the Greenshank to distinguish it from other waders. Image Credit: Andy Hay, RSPB Images.
Firstly, a Greenshank was seen flexing its green legs on the Wet Grassland. As a wading bird, this individual will have been making the most of the waterways and pools that have been created over the last couple of years. This provides fertile feeding grounds for this and other species, increasing the biodiversity of our reserve.
The Green Sandpiper is more commonly seen here in winter. Image Credit: Chris Gomersall, RSPB Images.
Sticking with the green theme (for now), a Green Sandpiper was seen very close to the Greenshank on the Wet Grassland. This is a very small bird- it looks similarly sized to a House Martin [hyperlink] when in flight- but more than makes up for that with the intricate markings on its feathers. Keep your eyes peeled for this pretty bird on your next visit!
The ‘Bearded Tit’ is a bit of a misnomer- the males actually sport dramatic moustaches rather than beards! Not that we’re splitting hairs or anything. Image Credit: Leslie Cater, RSPB Images.
Next, a species that is often present but rarely seen- the Bearded Tit. At least 8 individuals have been recorded in the past week- 4 at the Haverton Viewpoint and 4 from the Dorman’s Pool hide. These are small, sociable birds; keep your ears open for the unmistakeable ‘ping’ call of these reedbed dwellers.
We have been dissecting Barn Owl Pellets to see what small mammals are present on the reserve. Our Barn Owls are remarkably good hunters- we have found bones of nearly every shrew and vole species present in the UK! The high shrew and vole population at Saltholme is why we can support so many of these beautiful Birds of Prey. Image Credit: Dave Braddock, RSPB Images.
Last but certainly not least are the not one, not two, not three but FOUR Barn Owls that were seen around the Main Lake! The Barn Owls are seen snoozing in hedges relatively frequently, but to see four is something special. No matter how many times we see them, you just have to admire the beauty and grace of these silent hunters. Will you see them on your next visit?
Speaking of your next visit…when are you coming to see us? As shown in this blog, there is plenty going on at RSPB Saltholme and we would love to share that with you. There is something for everyone and everyone is welcome, so we hope to see you soon!
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Barn Owl [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/barn-owl [last accessed 02/08/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Bearded Tit [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bearded-tit [last accessed 02/08/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Green Sandpiper [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/green-sandpiper [last accessed 02/08/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Greenshank [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/greenshank [last accessed 02/08/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). House Martin [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/house-martin [last accessed 02/08/2024].
The Woodland Trust (2024). Bracken [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/ferns/bracken/ [last accessed 01/08/2024].
UKWildFlowers (2014). Sea Club-rush [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_pages/bolboschoenus_maritimus_sea_club_rush.htm [last accessed 01/08/2024].