Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
Hello! And welcome back to the weekly blog that may not have quite been ‘weekly’ recently but is certainly just as awesome as it normally is (no comment on the normal level of awesomeness please). So, to top up your awesomeness for this week and read on to find out all that has been happening at Saltholme!
News from the Estate:
Our Main Lake provides spectacular skylines and species!
One of the main reasons this blog hasn’t been quite a regularly posted as usual is because we’ve all been so busy! The Estates Team have been no exception. Now is the time of year that we can clear the Main Lake islands of any vegetation that has grown up over the summer, without disturbing any nesting birds. So, our Youth Ranger team and Work Party have been row, row, rowing their boats (well, tow, tow, towing their boats…we don’t have oars- only rope) across to the islands to do some much needed clearing. The newly-cleared islands will therefore be ready for returning breeding birds in Spring 2025!
But where does all that pulled vegetation go? Into the lake! As it breaks down in the water, it makes ideal food for aquatic invertebrates which in turn feed wading birds over the winter. It’s a good deal for all concerned- the insects get fed, the birds get fed, and our visitors get to see some amazing species!
Speaking of vegetation, another task the team started this week is cutting the vegetation (see the link?) along the edge of the Long-eared Owl Viewpoint. The reeds have grown so well over the summer that they are now drooping over the path, creating a trip hazard as well as increasing the likelihood of visitors not finding the correct path. Clearing these reeds now means that we are all set for a winter of happy owl viewing (both the viewing being happy, and the owls)!
What’s On:
As we race through October at an alarming rate, we are getting closer and closer to October half-term. Between 26 October and 3 November, we will be running a series of activities suitable for all weathers! One of the many outdoor options is our October half-term trail, through which you can help the Saltholme Sorcerer discover amazing facts about UK wildlife, whilst collecting ingredients for her spell. Speaking of spells, if you fancy a spell indoors, we will have wildlife-themed games and activities available, throughout the half-term, in our classroom! So, whatever the weather, come along and visit us!
Recent Sightings:
It’s been an incredibly busy week in terms of species sightings- it’s getting to the time of year where we’re getting a lot of passage migrants through. Passage migrants are birds that use Saltholme as a stopover point (like a service station) on a longer migration journey. These add to our already impressive species list for the year and have boosted our weekly list considerably. Whilst not all of the following birds could be defined as ‘passage migrants’, the highlights of this week have included the following:
The Barred Warbler is mainly found in eastern Europe. Image Credit: Matthew Scarborough.
A Barred Warbler was spotted amongst the Haverton scrub on Tuesday evening. Yes, the name may suggest this bird has been kicked out of the local pub, but the ‘barred’ actually refers to the striking stripes on its belly, chest and sides.
Yellow-browed Warblers breed in Siberia and is a rare visitor to the UK. Image Credit: RSPB
Staying in the warbler category, a Yellow-browed Warbler delighted visitors by showing off in front of our Walled Garden last weekend. If you’ve never seen a Yellow-browed Warbler, it is roughly the same size and colour as a Goldcrest and sounds a bit like a Coal Tit. Oh, you want a more definitive identification tool? Ok, that’s probably fair…maybe look out for the distinctive yellow ‘eyebrow’!
The Ring Ouzel mainly breed in upland areas- sometimes as high as 1200 metres above sea level! Image Credit: Andy Hay, RSPB Images.
Another rarity for Saltholme was the Ring Ouzel that was seen flying from the Haverton Viewpoint towards the Wilderness Trail. Ring Ouzels are more of an upland species, breeding in crags, gullies and rock crevices. Maybe this individual is seeking more temperate climes in preparation for the colder months?
As well as the orangey-red blush under its wings, the Redwing can be identified by the cream stripe above its eye. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
Something that is rapidly not becoming a rarity at Saltholme is the Redwing. Over 300 individuals flew over the Main Lake in one morning this week! We get a huge influx of Redwing each year, feeding on the bountiful berries in the hedgerows around the Main Lake, so this is just the beginning!
The Spoonbill’s eponymous bill can pick up the electrical signals made by small animals moving underneath the surface of mud. This allows it to detect and catch its lunch! Image Credit: Les Bunyan, RSPB Images.
Last but certainly not least is the Spoonbill that has been delighting visitors from the Saltholme Pools hide (well, the visitors were in the hide…the Spoonbill was not). Spoonbills may be regularly seen on the reserve throughout the winter, but it’s always a pleasure to have such a spectacular species at Saltholme!
Well, that’s all we have time for today- there’s plenty of conservation to do, species to see and visitors to greet! Want to be one of those visitors? We would like you to be too- we hope to see you soon!
References and Additional Reading
British Trust for Ornithology (2024). Barred Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/barred-warbler [last accessed 17/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Coal Tit [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/coal-tit [last accessed 18/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Goldcrest [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/goldcrest [last accessed 18/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Long-eared Owl [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/long-eared-owl [last accessed 17/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Redwing [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/redwing [last accessed 17/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Ring Ouzel [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/ring-ouzel [last accessed 17/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Spoonbill [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/spoonbill [last accessed 17/10/2024].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). Yellow-browed Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/yellow-browed-warbler [last accessed 17/10/2024].