Image Credit: Leslie Cater, RSPB Images
After this week’s weather, it’s safe to say our rare birds are now more medium to well done. But we made it through, and we still have a lot to talk about! Read on to find out more.
News from the Estate:
We created a series of ponds along the path to our Saltholme Pools hide to encourage a range of dragonfly and damselfly species to breed on our reserve. Image Credit: David Chandler, RSPB Images
You may have noticed that things got a little bit toasty in the early part of this week. So toasty in fact that we had to change plans slightly in terms of what work was done, and when. Therefore, it was on Thursday that the grass around our Dragonfly Ponds was cut and cleared. Keeping these ponds clear is not only good for wildlife, but also means that visitors get to safely see what is in these ponds (it’s always helpful knowing where the path ends and the pond begins).
Of course, this is on top of all the bird, butterfly, moth and plant surveys the estates team perform to make sure we are running our reserve in the best possible way for the wildlife we have here. It’s not an easy job, but it’s definitely a rewarding one!
What’s On:
It’s the summer holidays!
A lot of schools have already broken up, and more will be finished by the end of today. And as the children forget about homework and uniforms, we start thinking about summer activities and events.
We’re kicking things off with our summer trail; come along to Saltholme over the holidays to learn all about pollinators whilst experiencing our site. Who knows, there may be a certificate at the end of it…
And that’s not all!
You can hire our Wildlife Explorer Packs from the front desk. These packs contain bug pots, magnifying glasses, identification sheets and much more. Use them to explore the minibeasts of Saltholme.
Really enjoyed your visit and don’t want to leave? Don’t worry, we get it a lot. Why not buy one of our Big Wild Summer activity packs? These come with activity booklets, pencils, useful tips and tricks for looking at wildlife, and an all-important pencil. And again, just ask at the Front Desk for more information.
Recent Sightings:
The spotted redshank is another migratory species, coming from as far as northern Siberia. Image Credit: Mike Langman, RSPB Images
What’s been spotted? A spotted redshank! This is one of the many birds that does exactly what it says on the tin; it’s got spotted feathers and red legs. Don’t sound like much? Just wait until you see them! They’re slightly larger than the normal redshank, and when in breeding plumage they are almost entirely black with striking white spots.
The pectoral sandpiper is so named because of its brown breastband. Image Credit: Mike Langman, RSPB Images
On the other hand, the pectoral sandpiper (seen from our Paddy’s Pool) hide does not quite match its name. It neither goes to the gym nor plays the bagpipes. It hasn’t even been seen on sand this week, but instead on our wet grassland.
This bird is a brood parasite- instead of making their own nests, females lay a single egg in the nests of birds such as reed warblers. Upon hatching, the cuckoo chick removes the warbler eggs from the nest, and dupes the parent birds into feeding it. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Next, a cuckoo has been seen on the Firestation Field. These birds are not named after their physical appearance, but after their distinctive call. In fact, they are often the antithesis of a model Victorian child (heard not seen), so it is always special to have them in the view of binoculars as well as in earshot.
Yellow wagtails are often seen on farmland. The two seen on the reserve this week had ventured onto our wet grassland. Image Credit: Andy Hay, RSPB Images
Three guesses why the yellow wagtail is called the yellow wagtail…no prizes for guessing correctly on the first try though! Anyway, two have been seen on our wet grassland this week. As these birds have a red conservation status in the UK (meaning they are some of our most threatened birds), it’s great to see them thriving on our reserve.
Last in the name game today is the bearded tit, a flock of which ventured across the road from Dorman’s Pool to our main reserve on Thursday. The males of this species have striking black streaks down long facial feathers, giving them ‘beards’!
Not satisfied with our species round-up? Good for you- there are lots of species that we haven’t had time to mention that are just as important as the ones that we have. One of our hide guides, Ian Robinson, has recorded this video to showcase more of our amazing species.
We hope to see you soon!
References and Additional Reading:
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Bearded Tit [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/bearded-tit/ [last accessed 22/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Cuckoo [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/cuckoo/ [last accessed 22/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Pectoral Sandpiper [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/pectoral-sandpiper/ [last accessed 22/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Spotted Redshank [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/spotted-redshank/ [last accessed 22/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Yellow Wagtail [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/yellow-wagtail/ [last accessed 22/07/2022].