Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
The first week of the summer holidays is already drawing to a close…time flies when you're having fun! And lots of people have been having fun at Saltholme this week. There has- as always- been plenty to see and do here, and we intend to tell you all about it!
News from the Estate:
It’s been a busy week for our estates team (well, it’s never NOT a busy week). Here’s what they have been up to:
We have a breeding colony of lapwings that nest on our wet grassland. Lapwings are one of the species that we built the predator fence to protect. Image credit: Mark Stokeld
On Tuesday, our predator fence was given some TLC by the work party. This fence has been designed to protect breeding birds on our wet grassland and around our Saltholme Pools hide.
Animals like foxes can change the behaviour of the birds on which they feed, causing them to bunch closer together. This can increase the risk of birds trampling their nests, which of course affects chick survival. Whilst foxes and other predators can still roam freely across most of our reserve, the fence stops them snacking exclusively on the eggs and chicks of threatened species.
Also on Tuesday, the team removed the temporary electric fence that had been keeping the cattle away from nesting birds. Cattle are not known for their delicacy (you know the phrase ‘bull in a china shop’?), and we put in this temporary fence to stop any rambling ruminants accidentally stepping on an avocet chick. Now the chicks are large enough to see such dangers coming, the cows are allowed back!
‘Ragwort’ actually includes a number of different species. They are a favourite food of cinnabar moth caterpillars. Image Credit: Countryfile.com
On Thursday, the team removed ragwort from around our hay meadows. Why are we removing a flower that is loved by a variety of butterflies and moths? Well, insects may love it but livestock doesn’t. Ragwort contains toxins that, if ingested, can make livestock very ill. It is particularly dangerous when cut and dried, as the process removes some of the bitterness that can prevent these animals eating the plant. Therefore, we remove ragwort that has the potential to end up in hay, but leave the rest for insects.
Saltholme is home to many magnificent moths. We survey these species by putting out a moth trap overnight. We identify what is in the trap the following morning, and then release these individuals back into the reserve. The moth pictured here is a garden tiger moth. Image Credit: Ed Pritchard.
Last but not least, some of you may have tuned into our Moth Identification Livestream this morning. This was also run by our wonderful estates team! This livestream celebrated National Moth Week by showcasing a small selection of the amazing moth species you can see at Saltholme. Missed the livestream? Don’t worry, the video is still available to watch on our Facebook page.
What’s On:
Come along to RSPB Saltholme for a summer full of fun! Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
The children have been unleashed for the summer, and we have made it our mission to keep them entertained (and the adults both entertained and sane). So, we have had lots of activities on offer this week. Here is a quick round-up:
On selected days this week, families have had the opportunity to try their hand at pond dipping. This does not involve hurling yourself into a body of water, but is more about seeing what creatures live in said water without actually getting your feet wet. It involves nets, buckets and lots of fun. What have we been catching? The short answer is lots! Water boatmen, pond skaters, pond snails, ramshorn snails, dragonfly nymphs, whirligig beetles, water beetles…the list goes on! One little girl was frustrated in her quest to catch some fish fingers, but we can only catch what turns up in the pond on the day. Maybe next time.
If you’re interested in trying out pond dipping, come along to Saltholme this weekend and book at the front desk.
It wouldn’t be the summer holidays without a summer trail! This year, we’re talking about pollinators and all the important things they do for us. Our trail is being sold as part of the amazing Big Wild Summer activity pack, which also includes a fun mask, recipe cards, identification sheets, a puzzle book and the all-important FREE PENCIL. See, we’re just as good as Ikea.
Want to have a closer look at Saltholme’s minibeasts? This is the kit for you! Available for hire from the front desk, these packs have everything you need to magnify minibeasts- magnifying glasses, bug pots, identification sheets, and much more! Pick one up for just £3 for the day hire.
And the fun doesn’t stop there! On every day (except Thursday) next week, we will be running MEADOW SWEEPING sessions for families between 10am and 3pm. Who knows that you will find when you visit!
Recent Sightings:
By the end of the 19th century, goshawks were nearly extinct in the UK. This was due to the deforestation of their woodland habitat, and persecution by gamekeepers. Their numbers are now recovering. Image Credit: Louise Greenhorn, RSPB Images
It’s been all about Birds of Prey and waders this week. Firstly, a goshawk was seen on the reserve on Tuesday morning. This is an unusual sighting for our reserve, as this impressive hunter (almost the size of a buzzard) is adapted to hunting in woodlands. Mind you, the name ‘goshawk’ comes from the Old English name ‘Goose Hawk’, so the birds on our ponds may have tempted this elusive hunter out into the open.
The merlin is the smallest UK bird of prey; it weighs less than 300 grams! Image Credit: Chris Gomersall, RSPB Images
And the merlin is back at Saltholme Pools! Normally hunting small birds, this one has worked out that dragonflies make a tasty (if slightly crunchy) meal. Keep an eye out for it digesting its latest meal on its favourite fence post by the Saltholme Pools hide. Who knows, maybe you'll see an Arthur helping it out at some point.
And now onto the waders…
Little stint are often seen with another wader- dunlin. They can be difficult to tell apart, but dunlin are larger, with a more speckled breast and a more curved bill. Image Credit: Mike Langman, RSPB Images
We’ll kick off with the little stint that has been doing a stint (get it?) at Dorman’s pool. This wader doesn’t breed in the UK, so this individual is probably on its summer holidays too!
Joining the little stint have been wood sandpiper, greenshank, spotted redshank and even a ruff. We don’t have space to talk about them all in-depth in this blog, but why not watch this video (filmed by Ian Robinson) to see these and other birds that have been calling our reserve ‘home’ this week.
Oh, and one final thing. They may be neither waders nor Birds of Prey, but it’s been great to see the juvenile yellow wagtails checking out the reserve this week. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled on your next visit!
References and Additional Reading
Butterfly Conservation (2022). Cinnabar Moth [webpage]. Accessed through https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/cinnabar [last accessed 29/07/2022].
Royal Horticultural Society (2022). Ragwort [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/ragwort [last accessed 28/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Dunlin [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/dunlin/ [last accessed 29/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Goshawk [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/goshawk/ [last accessed 28/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Greenshank [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/greenshank/ [last accessed 28/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Little Stint [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/little-stint/ [last accessed 28/07/2022].
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 28/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Ruff [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/ruff/ [last accessed 28/07/2022].
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 28/07/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Wood Sandpiper [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/wood-sandpiper/ [last accessed 28/07/2022].
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 28/07/2022].
The Woodland Trust (2022). Goshawk [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/birds/goshawk [last accessed 28/07/2022].