Half-Term Fun

Image Credit: Lockhart Horsburgh

Another blustery week, but the sun has shone more consistently and the schools have been off. So, things are looking up! Here is our weekly reserve round-up.

News from the Estate:

Fortunately, there was no damage from either of the two storms experienced last week. So, the estates team could focus on preparing the reserve for spring. You may think it is a little early to be thinking about breeding birds, but early preparation is often the key to a successful season!

Image Credit: Lockhart Horsburgh

One species that we are very keen to keep happy are the common terns. These birds like to nest on islands (away from land-based predators), in areas of bare ground. Visitors to Paddy’s pool hide may notice the squeaky-clean island in the middle of the pool. This is because the team have been clearing areas of cockle shell, washing the underlying membrane (to remove detritus and seeds), and then laying down fresh cockle shell.

What’s On:

This week has been half term, and so there have been lots of things going on! Here is a quick round-up…

• ‘When it Rains’ Trail

For all it’s a part-time job complaining about the UK weather, rain is crucial to the wellbeing of people and wildlife. As February is usually one of the wetter months of the year, it seemed only fitting that our half-term trail looked at the importance of rain and the species that depend on it.

The trail will be available until Sunday afternoon, so come along and give it a go!

• Welly Dogs

The welly dogs have been a popular addition to the reserve since their arrival at the start of February. They have taken up residence in our discovery zone and have been helping with the ‘When it Rains’ trail.

• Welly Games

Wellies are critical kit over the winter. As it turns out, they’re also great for playing draughts, and noughts and crosses!

• Mud!

Who didn’t love jumping in puddles as a child? And, thanks to the recent storms, Saltholme has an abundance of mud and standing water! Our welly splash, mud kitchen and waterworks have been in almost constant use throughout the half term. This is one of the reasons our trail packs have included a recipe for mud pie!

Recent Sightings:

Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images

The big drama this week came from not just the species involved, but how they were interacting with each other. A barn owl, short-eared owl and kestrel were seen near the sheep shed on Monday. But that is not all- the barn owl had just caught a vole and, if that wasn’t good enough, the kestrel decided that it wanted the vole and so mobbed the barn owl! It then sat smugly on a post munching on its prize. Not a bad start to the week!

And the sightings didn’t stop there!

Image Credit: Lockhart Horsburgh

The avocets are looking very settled by the Saltholme Pools hide, which is great to see. Furthermore, we have had a flock of greylag geese hanging around outside our visitor centre (they clearly don’t want the canada geese getting all the attention). A couple of snipe were also seen hiding from the winds on Wednesday. 

And these are just a few of the many species that have been sighted this week! If you would like to watch a round-up of wildlife seen recently on the reserve, follow this link to the latest video filmed by our hide guide Ian Robinson.

Well, that's everything for this week. Let us know what you see on your visit to Saltholme! 

References and Further Reading:

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Avocet [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/avocet/ [last accessed 23/02/2022].

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Barn Owl [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/barn-owl/ [last accessed 23/02/2022]

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Greylag goose [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/greylag-goose/ [last accessed 23/02/2022].

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Kestrel [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/kestrel/ [last accessed 23/02/2022].

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Short-eared Owl [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/short-eared-owl/ [last accessed 23/02/2022]

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Snipe [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/snipe/ [last accessed 23/02/2022].