Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
It has simultaneously been half-term and the week before half-term this week (more details below, but we’ll let you muse on that for a moment). This means there has been plenty happening at Saltholme, so we have a lot to tell you about! Still need some persuasion to read on? Well in that case we shall casually slip into the conversation that recent wildlife sightings include a rare member of the heron family, an RSPB poster bird and the most intensely persecuted Birds of Prey in the UK…
News from the Estate:
With Storm Babet howling through at the end of last week (bringing 44 millimetres of rain with it), rain, fog and everything in between, the weather is for once in agreement with us that it is now Autumn. Fortunately for us, our visitors and the wildlife, the incredible estates team haven’t let the weather stand in the way of conservation:
On Tuesday, the team spent the day weeding the tern islands on the Main Lake. Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls, both of which breed on the islands in the summer, prefer to nest on bare ground. By removing the vegetation now, we ensure the islands are ready for the return of these birds come Spring. The cut vegetation is also thrown into the lake, where it rots down to create the perfect feeding opportunity for a wide variety of insects and invertebrates.
These Ruby Tiger Moth caterpillars were transferred using a very high-tech system. It’s called a bucket.
The team also discovered more than 160 Ruby Tiger Moth caterpillars on the islands! As they were removing their food plants, the caterpillars were transferred (by bucket) to a safe location with lots of available food elsewhere on our reserve.
On Thursday, the reedbeds at the Wildlife Watchpoint hide had a makeover. Sections of the reedbed have been cut (to vary the vegetation structure and encourage more species to move in), with the cut reeds then used to create temporary islands in the pond. These islands have meant our visitors have received some amazing views of posing Water Rail this week, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled on your next visit.
What’s On:
Right, now to explain our half-term conundrum. For some counties, this week has been October half-term. Middlesbrough and some other counties have decided next week is the optimum time. So, we have been running school and university sessions whilst making sure everything is set up for some autumn fun come Saturday. Here’s what we have been up to…
As well as being a wildlife haven, Saltholme is the perfect place to learn more about conservation, wildlife and how you can help your local habitats. In addition to our organised school visits and youth activity sessions, we also offer guided walks for adults. This week, students from Teesside University, studying Sustainable Tourism, visited to learn about how we balance providing an awesome visitor experience with the needs of the species that live here. Last week, a separate course discussed- with our staff- the conservation methods used to keep Saltholme at the forefront of species recovery.
If you know a group that would be interested in booking a guided walk, why not give us a call? Contact us through 01642 546 625 or email saltholme@rspb.org.uk.
This activity is now all set up and ready for families to enjoy between 28 October and 5 November! The Saltholme Sorcerer is back, but the Wicked Wizard has stolen all her wands and locked them away. Fortunately for the Sorcerer, the animals (of the knitted variety) of Saltholme are happy to help her crack the code to the wand cupboard. Count the knitted animals you see on your visit. When you complete the sums (don’t worry, they’re nothing fancy) this will reveal the magic code and you can take a wand as reward for your help. Trail sheets only cost £1.50 and are available from the Welcome Desk.
Recently, the weather has been somewhat…mixed. As this is often the case in October, we wanted to create an activity that means you can explore nature from the warm and comfort of our Visitor Centre. That is why, on selected days throughout half-term, we are running storytelling sessions. This hour-long event includes an interactive storytelling session and related craft activity. At just £2.50 per child (£2 for RSPB Members), this is the perfect way to make the most of those rainy holiday days, or simply wind down after another wonderful day on our reserve. Just book at the Welcome Desk!
Recent Sightings:
Well, Saltholme is such an incredible place that the Cattle Egret and Otters have been seen frequently enough to be old news. But we’ll still mention them as it’s easy to forget how amazing it is that they’re here! But now onto the ‘new’ sightings…
Bittern are part of the Heron family, but are much more secretive than the other herons we have at Saltholme! Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
A Bittern joined the Otters at the Haverton Viewpoint this week. And that wasn’t all! At the very end of last week (so we’re cheating slightly, but just give us this one), a Hen Harrier joined the Haverton Party. To say we are lucky to have these two birds on site (however briefly, in the case of the Hen Harrier) is an understatement, and it shows the importance of Saltholme when it comes to wildlife conservation.
Avocets recolonised the UK in the 20th century and so became a symbol of conservation success. If you look at the RSPB logo you may recognise their profile! Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
If you have visited us in the summer months, you may have seen the breeding Avocets from our Saltholme Pools hide. You may be surprised to know that some of these gorgeous waders are still here! Storm Babet is probably responsible, as it may have been too windy for these birds to begin their migration to warmer climes. Chances are they will leave soon, so make sure to see them while you still can!
The Brambling pictured above is a male, which is more strikingly marked than the female. In winter, these markings are less apparent. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images.
Speaking of migrations, we are starting to see the return of our winter visitors. One of which is the Brambling- a beautiful little bird that likes to hang out with the Chaffinches at the Visitor Centre feeding stations.
The winter plumage of a Red-necked Grebe is similar to a Great Crested Grebe, but it has a thicker neck and a stout dark bill with a yellow base. Image Credit: RSPB
Despite this blog being one of the highlights of everyone’s week (please agree...), sightings off the main site are not often considered. However, a Rough-legged Buzzard and a Red-necked Grebe are too good not to mention! Both were seen on the Holme Fleet (Cowpen Marsh) this week.
Well, that’s all we have time for today. As usual, we have barely scratched the surface of reserve life. But we hope we have given you a flavour of how incredible Saltholme is, and encouraged you to visit us next week to take part in our half-term activities! For now, we will leave you with this video, filmed by Ian Robinson, to show you a wider variety of our wildlife.
We hope to see you soon!
References and Additional Reading
Butterfly Conservation (2023). Ruby Tiger Moth [webpage]. Accessed through https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/ruby-tiger [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Avocet [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/avocet [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Bittern [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bittern [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Black-headed Gull [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/black-headed-gull [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Brambling [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/brambling [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Cattle Egret [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/cattle-egret [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Chaffinch [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/chaffinch [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Common Tern [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/common-tern [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Hen Harrier [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/hen-harrier [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Red-necked Grebe [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/red-necked-grebe [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Rough-legged Buzzard [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/rough-legged-buzzard [last accessed 27/10/2023].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2023). Water Rail [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/water-rail [last accessed 27/10/2023].
The Wildlife Trusts (2023). European Otter [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/european-otter [last accessed 27/10/2023].
You'll be seeing us soon! We're visiting in mid-November and we're really looking forward to it.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Hello Clare, That's fantastic! There should be plenty to see and do!