Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Congratulations, you are more than halfway through the longest month of the year. Here at Saltholme, we haven’t let the January blues get to us- how could we, when we have such a stunning reserve and such incredible wildlife to enjoy? Read on to learn more about what has been happening this week…
News from the Estate:
You’ll be pleased to know that we consistently put volunteer safety and comfort above sticking rigidly to a rota of tasks; as the cold snap hit, the team were meant to be planting hedge whips (young plants that will form hedgerows as they mature). As the ground was hard enough to bend even the sturdiest shovel (let alone the people digging), it was decided that this task could wait until soil was of a less concrete consistency. Instead, the work party kept warm by cutting back buddleia and other fast-growing scrub near our Haverton viewpoint.
It may surprise you that we are planting scrub in some areas and seemingly removing it from others. As always, there is a crystal-clear conservation goal. Biodiversity- the number of species living in an area- is highest when a patchwork of habitats is created. This means by varying heights of scrub species and maintaining areas of bare/open ground, we will welcome a much wider range of wildlife to our reserve in the coming months. Want more information on the science behind our habitat management? Feel free to ask us on your next visit!
What’s On:
If you follow the RSPB on social media, watch the news, listen to the radio or peruse the wide variety of posters and leaflets at Saltholme, you will have heard of the Big Garden Birdwatch. What you might not have heard of is our practice survey, taking place on 22 January. This drop-in session will run between 10am and 3pm; it’s the perfect opportunity to speak to our staff and volunteers about bird identification, how to fill out survey forms, the purpose of the Big Garden Birdwatch, and everything in between! Entry to the visitor centre is free and there is no charge for attending this practice session. Normal reserve entry fees apply.
Harry Otter joined the Little Birders on one of their outings. He loved the experience and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about North East wildlife.
Speaking of birds (as, funnily enough, we often do) and birdwatches, our next Little Birders event is also taking place on 22 January! If you want to get the younger members of your family/friendship group into birdwatching and binoculars, this is the event for you. If the younger members of family/friendship groups are already into birdwatching and are dragging you along for the ride kicking and screaming, this is also the event for you. In this relaxed session, aimed at children aged 5 and above, our experts will supply you with bird identification tips, cool facts, scenic walks and binocular guidance. Little Birders aims to help families foster a love of nature in children enthusing and informing both young people and their carers. So, an hour of your Sunday morning could translate into a lifelong interest. Not bad for £6.50 (£2.50 for RSPB members). Click on the link above to book tickets, or ask at the Welcome Desk upon arrival.
Recent Sightings:
In great spotted woodpeckers, adult males have a distinctive red patch at the back of the head (females do not). Juveniles have a red crown. Image Credit: Tom Marshall, RSPB Images
It was great to spot a great spotted woodpecker that was great at spotting wood to peck. The wood would have been quite hard to peck (as it was so cold) so the peck would not leave a speck on the wood the woodpecker pecked. At least staff and visitors saw it there and then- otherwise it would just be wood and not a woodpecker that we spotted.
Foxes, and other predators, are important components of the ecosystem. They help to manage populations, and can even change the behaviour of, prey species. This positively affects plant growth and therefore insect numbers. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
If glittering frost and wonderful winter sunrises weren’t enough, our staff also came across a fox as they were opening up the reserve on Thursday morning. Yes, we have a large anti-predator fence to keep foxes off the wet grassland area (to boost the population of lapwing and other ground-nesting birds), but we are still more than happy to have these beautiful creatures on other parts of the reserve. Keep your eyes peeled for these resourceful mammals on your next visit.
Hares are much larger than rabbits, reaching lengths of up to 70 centimetres. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Speaking of mammals, a number of hare have also been seen out and about this week. We’re very lucky to have hare at Saltholme- they may have been in the UK since Roman times, but their numbers are currently declining due to habitat loss.
The great white egret (pictured above) is closely related to the little egret, which is also present at Saltholme. Image Credit: Lockhart Horsburgh
The great white egret is back! It’s been busy checking out all corners of the reserve, so hasn’t been the easiest to spot. But that’s part of the fun of birdwatching- you never know what might be just around the corner. So, if you see a large white bird with a yellow beak and black legs, count yourself very lucky- there are less than 80 great white egrets that winter in the UK.
Grey plover are more brown in the winter, but can be distinguished from other plover species by their black ‘armpits’ and white rump. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Lastly, the first sighting of a grey plover in 2023 was recorded at Saltholme Pools hide this week. Don’t be put off by the name- this is a beautiful bird. Look out for them foraging for shellfish and worms amongst the many other amazing wader species we have on-site.
Well, to quote a well-established franchise, that’s all folks! Although technically it really isn’t, as we’ve only covered a tiny proportion of reserve life and wildlife sightings (want to see more? Watch this video, filmed by Ian Robinson). It’s incredibly special to be in an area where there isn’t enough space in the blog to adequately describe the nature surrounding us. What a lovely problem to have! We hope to see you at Saltholme very soon.
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Great Spotted Woodpecker [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/great-spotted-woodpecker/ [last accessed 19/01/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Great White Egret [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/great-white-egret/ [last accessed 19/01/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Grey Plover [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/grey-plover/ [last accessed 19/01/2023].
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 19/01/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). Brown Hare [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/brown-hare [last accessed 19/01/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). Red Fox [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/red-fox [last accessed 19/01/2023].