Another week of sun, punctuated by truly spectacular downpours. But that hasn’t dampened our spirits. Why? Well, there has been a lot to see and do on the reserve this week. Read on to find out more!
News from the Estate:
You’ve probably gathered by now that Saltholme would not run without our estates team. You could be forgiven for thinking this simply refers to the fact that they keep our land in a condition that encourages wildlife. Whilst this is true, it’s also a fact that a lot of our events wouldn’t run without them; this week, the estates team have been cutting and raking the field in which our Big Picnic will be taking place.
Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
It would also be pretty hard to see any of the wildlife without our estates team. For example, they spent this Thursday cutting a wonderful new viewing area to the sand martin burrows, allowing visitors to watch these beautiful birds without getting sore necks.
What’s On:
Ava the Avocet and her friends (the ‘Picnic Pals’) have landed! As they landed, they lost the picnics they brought with them…
Fortunately for the Picnic Pals, our half-term trail has been designed to re-unite them with their favourite snacks. Trail packs come with a pencil, and activity booklet, a recipe card, a quadrat, and a mask in addition to the Picnic Pals trail sheet. At £3.50, they’re a bargain! Pick one up at the front desk on your next visit.
There are lots of other events happening throughout the May Half Term and Jubilee Weekend:
The author of the Hiddel Brock Wood series- Abbey Scott- is coming to Saltholme! She will be reading her books, and leading a range of nature-related activities and crafts. For more information and to book tickets, click here.
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, we are hosting a Big Picnic. Bring along your own food or buy some from our café. Then, join us outside for conversations and garden games!
It’s back! And this weekend will be a great opportunity to speak to our Optics experts on finding the right binoculars and/or telescopes for you. Whether you are wanting your first pair of binoculars or are looking to upgrade to the latest model, we have something for everyone. For more information, click here.
Last but not least, our Little Birders event is a perfect introduction to birdwatching for children and accompanying adults. Learn about the birds you are likely to see in your local area, whilst getting out and about and enjoying the sunshine (yes, it’s looking like ANOTHER bank holiday weekend will be warm and sunny!).
Recent Sightings:
Image Credit: Matt Wilkinson, RSPB Images
The big news this week is that not one, not two, but THREE glossy ibises have been seen on the reserve. These birds are occasional visitors t the UK, and so have 3 on-site at the same time is very lucky.
Image Credit: Josh Swales
Moving from visitors to residents, one of our barn owls has been seen on the nest box by the main lake. It was pretending to be a flamingo, standing on one leg (normal resting pose) for quite a while on Wednesday morning. But barn owls are incredible in themselves. For example, did you know that they have one ear higher up on their head than the other, so they can be accurately pinpoint the position of prey?
Image Credit: Mark Stokeld
Another resident bird of prey is the marsh harrier. This has been showing well this week, seen out hunting at our Philstead and Wildlife Watchpoint hides.
Image Credit: Ben Hall, RSPB Images
We couldn’t finish this blog without mentioning some chicks! And the new arrivals this week have been the four little ringed plover chicks at Saltholme Pools. These little piles of fluff will grow up to search for worms and other aquatic invertebrates along the edges of coasts and pools. At the moment, they’re sharing the reserve with the hordes of avocet chicks (ok, we exaggerate slightly. But there are a lot of them), making Saltholme Pools the place to be!
Not had enough of the hatchlings? Click on this link, filmed by Ian Robinson, that shows even more of the next generation of Saltholme wildlife (do you reckon the videos are Chick Flicks?).
Don’t forget to visit Saltholme to see all these amazing birds for yourself!
References and Further Reading:
Robinson, R.A. (2005) BirdFacts: profiles of birds occurring in Britain & Ireland [webpage]. BTO, Thetford. Accessed through http://www.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob1360.htm [last accessed 26/05/2022].
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 26/05/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Little Ringed Plover [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/little-ringed-plover/ [last accessed 26/05/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Marsh Harrier [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/marsh-harrier/ [last accessed 26/05/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Sand Martin [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/sand-martin/ [last accessed 26/05/2022].