Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
It’s 23 December. Retail workers are quaking in their boots, fridges are stuffed to bursting and Santa is polishing Rudolph’s nose ready for The Big Night. But life doesn’t stop at Saltholme just because the tinsel is out- read on for conservation news, reserve events and sightings highlights!
News from the Estate:
Hedgerows and scrub are very important for wildlife as they provide shelter and protection from predators. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
There is significantly less ice around than last week, meaning the work party are less likely to end up as ice statues. This week, the team have been cutting hedgerows. Why? To create small glades and shelter belts which will benefit a variety of invertebrates and birds. And as we have previously mentioned, lots of invertebrates and birds encourage a variety of other species too.
If that wasn’t enough excitement for one week, the work party have also been removing willow from around the welly splash. This not only means that jumping in the welly splash will result in larger and less controllable tidal waves, but also encourages the willow to grow in a way that can be woven into the arches you may see on other parts of the reserve. The cut branches are also used to fill out brash hedges for wintering birds. Not bad for a week’s work.
What’s On:
Image Credit: Becca Smith, RSPB Images
The Robin Robin trail is in full swing, with associated crafts available throughout the Christmas holidays. So even if the weather is… not its best, you can still have a great trip to Saltholme. Did you know that there are puzzles, colouring activities and recipes included in the Robin Robin trail pack too? So the fun even extends beyond the reserve too, with loads of fun for home as well.
And that’s not all! Our Reindeer Treasure hunt has also proved very popular. Blitzen briefly tried to wander back to the North Pole, but Santa sent him back to entertain visitors until Christmas Eve. Once the reindeer have completed their annual world-wide trip, they will return to Saltholme for the remainder of the Christmas holidays. Want to find all of them? All you need is a QR code-enabled phone and a can-do attitude. Just ask at the front desk!
Recent Sightings:
One of the key identifying features of the pintail is its long tail feathers. These are more apparent on the males of this species. Image Credit: Ben Hall, RSPB Images
As well as whistling wigeon, tonnes of teal, gazillions (yes, it’s a technical term) of gadwall and masses of mallards, we’ve also had plenty of pintail on the reserve this week. Fewer than 30 pairs breed in the UK, but we have a very healthy winter population of these birds, and so it is always encouraging.
Red breasted mergansers are mainly seen on sheltered coastlines and estuaries. Image Credit: Paul Chesterfield, RSPB Images.
Another duck we have to mention is the red breasted merganser. This is a member of the sawbill family (three guesses why they’re called THAT), and so catches fish. It has been doing so from our Saltholme Pools hide.
If ducks aren’t your thing, they should be. But if we can’t persuade you, there have been plenty of other bird sightings to keep you amused. For example, three water rail and a water vole have been parading around in front of our Wildlife Watchpoint hide. They were briefly joined by a weasel on Thursday morning, just to add to the Ws.
We’ll stop there this week, because we know you probably have a lot to do. But don’t forget to check out this video, filmed by Ian Robinson, for a round-up of the other species that have graced Saltholme with their presence recently.
Have a wonderful Christmas/Hannukah, and we shall see you again on 27 December!
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Gadwall [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/gadwall/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Mallard [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/mallard/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Pintail [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/pintail/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Red Breasted Merganser [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-breasted-merganser/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Teal [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/teal/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Water Rail [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/water-rail/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Wigeon [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/wigeon/ [last accessed 22/12/2022].
The Wildlife Trusts (2022). Water Vole [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/water-vole [last accessed 22/12/2022].
The Wildlife Trusts (2022). Weasel [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/weasel [last accessed 22/12/2022].