Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
This blog aims to give you an overview of reserve life. Condensing a week’s worth of news and sightings into a manageable chunk of paragraphs can be tricky, but it’s a challenge we’re willing to accept. If you’re in even more of a hurry this week, here is a summary of the summary:
We’ve seen birds. We’ve conserved birds. We love birds.
If you would like a little more information on the above, please read on!
News from the Estate:
Buddleia is known for encouraging pollinator species and butterflies. However, it grows and seeds quickly, meaning it needs to be kept in check to prevent it taking over habitats. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
We have had a lot of water thrown at us this week, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to organise a ‘controlled burn’ of cuttings from the habitat management work of the estates team. What is a controlled burn? It’s basically a bonfire, but without the marshmallows because it’s set alight within work hours. But we’re not just burning stuff for the sake of it; the plants being incinerated are things like buddleia, which is very tough and therefore takes a long time to decompose. Additionally, the seeds of this plant spread quickly and so burning it means we can maintain the mosaic of different plants and habitats that we have built up. We try to burn as little as possible, to minimise our carbon footprint, but sometimes burning is the best solution.
On Thursday, the team switched fire for water and continued work on cutting back vegetation in the Dragonfly Ponds ready for the coming spring. Donning a pair of waders and standing waist-deep in cold pondwater might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but this work will encourage a greater range of dragonflies to use the ponds over the coming months. As mentioned in previous blogs, boosting the numbers of one species or group or species encourages others to join the party. For example, the merlin that can be seen at Saltholme is quite partial to the odd dragonfly and so will also benefit from any work that boosts its food source.
What’s On:
This picture was taken at the last Christmas Artisan and Eco Fair, which took place in the middle of Storm Arwen. The weather this year promises to be calmer!
Those of you who follow us on social media will know that we are getting very excited about our Artisan and Eco Fair. After months of preparation, IT STARTS TOMORROW! On both Saturday and Sunday (9:30am-3pm), twelve local businesses (a happy coincidence with the 12 days of Christmas) will be selling their range of artisan and eco-friendly products. So not only can you make progress with your Christmas shopping, you can do so with a completely clear conscience because you are supporting small businesses and the planet. Entry to the eco fair is free, as is entry to the shop and café (although we do appreciate it if you pay for the items you get from there). So whatever the weather, come along!
Robin Robin is a family-friendly film, available on Netflix.
Also arriving on 26 November (yes, it’s really the end of November. Take a break from reading to go and cry quietly in a corner if you need to) is our Robin Robin Adventure Trail. That’s right, IT’S BACK. And better than ever! Another positive is that Storm Arwen isn’t here to encourage Robin Robin to fly, which is what happened last year. Robin Robin activity packs will be available throughout December.
Recent Sightings:
Male kingfishers have an all-black bill, whereas females and juveniles have a pinkish-orange lower bill. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
The star of the show this week has undoubtedly been the kingfisher that has discovered the fish by the sand martin burrows. Whilst they may have a green conservation status, kingfishers are rarely seen for more than a few seconds. The bird seen on the reserve this week is definitely not camera-shy; not only has it spent large chunks of time perched on top of the burrows, but it also proudly showed off any fish that it caught to its crowd of admirers.
In the early stages of this week, the cattle egret returned to Saltholme. As seems to be the trend with this individual, it stayed in one place just long enough to cause excitement before flying off to a different location. What followed was a long and grossly biased game of tag between bird and birders- the cattle egret most often won, due to its ability to fly. But some lucky birdwatchers got to see it.
The greyish-brown colouring and white eye stripe are two features that help to distinguish the water pipit from its more common relatives. Image Credit: Paul Chesterfield, RSPB Images.
We’re rounding this week off with a winter visitor. No, not Santa (he visits Saltholme on 3 December; book tickets here), but a water pipit. This bird tends to visit southern and eastern England over the colder months, so it’s very special to have seen it on our reserve on Thursday.
As you can see, there is plenty going on at RSPB Saltholme. Not only that, but there is something for everyone! We really want to share the amazing sights and species of our reserve with you, and we can only do that so well through a screen- why not visit us over the next few days?
References and Further Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Cattle Egret [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/cattle-egret/ [last accessed 24/11/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Kingfisher [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/kingfisher/ [last accessed 24/11/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Merlin [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/merlin/ [last accessed 24/11/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Water Pipit [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/water-pipit/ [last accessed 24/11/2022].
The Wildlife Trusts (2022). Buddleia [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/trees-and-shrubs/buddleia [last accessed 24/11/2022].