RSPB Saltholme is a wildlife oasis situated right in the heart of the Tees Valley and is a vital home for nature. RSPB Saltholme is designated as a Ramsar wetland site of international importance, as well as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). The wet grasslands habitat is vitally important for waders and wildfowl, as the numbers of these areas have declined rapidly in the recent past.
Image Credit: Jim Stephenson
Throughout the year the skies above RSPB Saltholme and the lakes and land beneath are home to a wide array of wildlife.
Spring sees lapwing performing their weird and wonderful aerial displays as they start to nest on the grassland, while sandmartins and swallows skim across the pool surfaces catching insects. In summer months a colony of breeding common terns nest on the cockleshell covered islands in our open pools, alongside the black headed gulls who fill the air with their raucous call. Beneath the surface of the pools you’ll find another world with caddisfly nymph and water boatman whilst on the surface pond skaters can be seen skimming across the water. Above the ponds flit a colourful sea of dragonflies and damselflies.
Image Credit: Gareth Brown
As the days shorten and autumn draws in, the passage of migrant wading birds begins and black-tailed godwit, ruff and green sandpiper use the pools as a resting place. Those using the pools as a permanent winter home also start to arrive, with huge shimmering flocks of golden plover, along with lapwing, gather on the pool edges and grassland. Winter brings waders and wildfowl such as curlew, wigeon, teal, shoveler and gadwall in their thousands, roosting and feeding across the wet grasslands and pools. The extensive reedbeds become home to large flocks of starlings who mesmerise us with their murmurations before dropping into the reeds for the night.
As winter fades back into spring the cycle begins again and we continue our work to improve the habitats at RSPB Saltholme. In the winter of 2020 we lowered the level of the main lake to dig a ditch around the islands and installed a floating rope to prevent foxes being able to swim out to the lakes, this helps protect the common tern chicks who nest there. We’ve dug a series of dragonfly pools along the path to Saltholme Pools and recently added more alongside the meadow. Due to the dragonfly lifecycle it can take up to 3 years for the first eggs laid in our new pools to emerge as dragonflies.
Image Credit: Claire Freeburn
Alongside our vital conservation work to improve the natural environment we’re always working to allow our visitors to engage more with nature. We’ve increased the number of picnic benches including tables accessible for wheelchairs users and resurfaced paths around the reserve to improve accessibility for all.
The lake walk has seen a new family Explorer Trail to connect children with what’s around them along with a migration game in Wildlife Watchpoint. The dragonfly path has been transformed with a lifecycle sculpture, brass rubbings and interpretation panels on species of dragonflies and damselflies.
Down at Saltholme Pools the pools have been reprofiled to encourage wildlife closer to the hides, improving the views for all our visitors.
None of this would have been possible without the support of our partners and our visitors and we need to continue this important work to protect the landscape and wildlife for future generations.
So From 1 April 2022, we’re making some changes.
Our entry fees will be increasing for non-members. These will be as follows:
A child is classed as anyone under the age of 18. The first child in any group is free (as are any under 5s).
For example, if you have two adults and one child, you would pay for the two adults and the child is free.
Entry to the shop and cafe only will still remain free.
RSPB members will continue to receive free entry as a thank you for regularly supporting our nature conservation work – why not join the RSPB today and get free entry to all RSPB nature reserves.
If you would be interested in volunteering for us at Saltholme, there are many different opportunities for you to get involved in. You can get involved by helping on our conservation work parties, welcoming visitors in our visitor centre or becoming a guide in our hides. If any of these opportunities interest you, then we’d love to hear from you: saltholme@rspb.org.uk
I do agree with this! Other RSPB reserves with similar facilities as Saltholme in the UK charge a lot more. So with this small rise, I do 100% agree with at this time.
Regards
Ian.