Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Another week of amazing wildlife, fun-filled family activities and critical conservation work. We do seem to make a habit(at) of it don’t we? Yes, it’s been another wonderful week at Saltholme and we want to tell you all about it. So read on for more information!
News from the Estate:
The work party have cut paths through our reedbeds.
Did you notice that you could see the ponds by our main entrance? The lovely paths through the reeds have been cut by our amazing work party volunteers. Not only do the new ‘roads’ allow our visitors to see the wonderful wildlife here, but also helps the said wonderful wildlife to move through the reedbed. So, keep an eye out for water voles, moorhens and much more!
And it’s not just the reeds that have been getting a trim. If you head over to Dorman’s Pool car park, you will notice that there is more car park in which to park your car. This is because the work party spent Thursday pruning trees. The trees- planted along the trackside to the hide- are growing well. This is great for us, the wildlife and the reserve in general. However, this must be balanced with people being able to see the wildlife and park their cars safely. So, a quick trim is the best way forward.
What’s On:
Image Credit: RSPB Images
This week, we have been fortunate enough to welcome The Prince’s Trust to Saltholme. The Prince’s Trust helps young people (aged 11 to 30) gain the skills and confidence needed to start careers. They do this through offering courses to develop life skills, providing work placements and setting up programmes allowing people to discover what they want from a career. The group based at Saltholme this week have had the opportunity to try out practical conservation work, wildlife survey techniques, fieldcrafts and much more. Whether these young people choose a career in conservation or not, these skills will stand them in good stead for their future job hunting.
After over a month in the rain, snow and all intermediate stages of precipitation, our welly dogs and their friends are looking a little…tired. Their heads may not be quite where they were initially and their colours may be a little faded, but they have once again been a source of great joy, excitement (and occasionally confusion) for our visitors. Having done their duty, we have decided that it is now time to retire our welly dogs. But what will replace them?
Fortunately, the Easter holidays are just around the corner (no, we’re not over-egging it, they really start on 1 April). That means loads of family-friendly activities will be available, with something for everyone to enjoy. Fancy pond dipping? Not a problem! How about birdwatching? We can also do that! Never used a bat detector? Our bat walk on 15 April may be just the thing for you. We also have Easter Egg hunts running (get it?) over the Easter weekend (7-9 April) and a wonderful activity trail available throughout the Easter holidays. Just keep an eye on our website and social media pages for more information!
Recent Sightings:
Sand martins are one of the first migrant species to arrive back in the UK for the breeding season. They are a sign that Spring is well and truly here! Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Well, the big news this week is that the sand martins have returned! After an epic migration journey from Africa, the frontrunners are back safe and sound, ready to pick out the best nesting spots and make the most of our emerging insect populations. We have had fantastic views of these incredible little birds from our café and downstairs viewing area; make sure to have a look on your next visit!
Whooper swans call to each other whilst flying; mute swans do not. It’s a nice simple way to distinguish between the two species. Image Credit: Mark Stockeld
What bird do you think comes swanning in when you least expect it? If you guessed whooper swan, good for you! A flock of 27 flew in on Thursday and landed on the Main Lake (much to the disgust of the resident mute swans). The whooper swans are most likely on their way back up to Iceland for the breeding season, using Saltholme as a stopover point on their journey up north. They won’t hang around for long, but it’s been lovely to have them.
Redwing are part of the thrush family and are recognised by the red markings on their sides. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
Another bird on its way back to Iceland (or Scandinavia) is the redwing. A small flock was discovered in our Discovery Zone on Thursday, resting up before the next leg of their journey.
Well, that’s everything for this week. Or at least, everything that we’re going to write in the blog for this week; we don’t really have the time to go over all the wonderful wildlife and events in forensic detail. We will simply say that there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon, and many more species that are yet to make their appearance this year. Looks like you’ll have to keep reading this blog each week! Of course, visiting our incredible reserve is also a very good idea…we hope to see you soon!
References and Additional Reading
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Moorhen [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/moorhen/ [last accessed 24/03/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Mute Swan [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/mute-swan/ [last accessed 24/03/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Redwing [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/redwing/ [last accessed 24/03/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Sand Martin [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/sand-martin/ [last accessed 24/03/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Whooper Swan [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/whooper-swan/ [last accessed 24/03/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). Redwing [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/thrushes-chats-flycatchers-starling-dipper-and-wren/redwing [last accessed 24/03/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). Water Vole [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/water-vole [last accessed 24/03/2023].