Hi,
Top sighting from this period was a Glossy Ibis first observed from the Phil Stead Hide (20th January) and still present in the area at the time of writing. The number of Glossy Ibis visiting UK shores from continental Europe has greatly increased over the last few years and like the Little Egret this species looks destined to establish itself as a UK resident in the near future.
A future Saltholme regular? Many Thanks to Martyn Sidwemn for this photograph of the Glossy Ibis taken on its visit to nearby Billingham.
Bittern sightings were regular throughout with 2-3 birds now estimated to be wintering on the reserve. The Haverton Viewpoint looks to be a Bittern hotspot however birds have also been seen flying over the Discovery Zone and Wildlife Watchpoint Hide.
January’s Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) was undertaken on the 12th January. The mild winter weather we have experienced to date no doubt influenced the large number of birds present on site including, 63x Barnacle Geese, 11x Shelduck, 2400+ Wigeon, 470+ Teal, 78x Tufted Duck and 1190+ Lapwing.
Over 470 Teal are currently wintering on the reserve. Many Thanks to Ray Scott for this photograph taken from the Phil Stead Hide.
Other interesting bird sightings from this period included, 1x Great Crested Grebe (Saltholme East, 12th), 12x Pintail (Back Saltholme), 7x Red-Breasted Merganser (Back Saltholme), 2x Long-tailed Duck (East Saltholme) 12x Goldeneye , 7x Snipe (21st), 30+ Dunlin (Saltholme Pools, 25th), 1x Iceland Gull (Back Saltholme, 18th-19th), 1x Water Rail (daily, showing extremely well from the Visitor Centre), 2x Stonechat (27th, near Haverton Gate), 4x Lesser Redpoll (daily, at the Phil Stead Hide feeding station) and 1x Siskin (27th).
A yellow bill and red spot on the forehead helps to identify this little brown finch as a Lesser Redpoll. Many thanks to Ian F for this photograph taken from the Phil Stead Hide.
Non-avian sightings included, 2 Brown Hare, 2+ Fox (regulars at the Visitor Centre feeding station), 1x Water Vole (near the fire station field) and an unseasonable record of Hawthorn flowering on the reserve.
Weather Watch
Temperatures for the week ahead look to remain relatively mild for the time of year. In terms of the reserve’s birds this should result in relatively little movement. However the combination of mild conditions and increasing day length should coax more song birds to train their vocal chords in readiness for the spring. I’ve already noticed Robins in full song and the other day I heard the quieter sub-song of a Blackbird emitted from deep inside a conifer, a complete contrast from when they are in full song perched on top of a tree or television aerial.
Cheers,
Adam