Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
We’ve had enough bird sightings for an Alfred Hitchcock film this week. Fortunately for us and our visitors, our wildlife is much less threatening and is actually quite pleased to pose gently for cameras.
Of course, there have also been plenty of other things happening at Saltholme this week; read on to find out more!
News from the Estate:
Keep your eyes peeled for the water rail that skulk through the reedbeds at Saltholme. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
The swathes of wildlife mentioned previously would not be present without the hard work of the Estates team. The work of our wardens and volunteers contributes directly to the conservation of the habitats and species of Saltholme, which is of course part of a much wider effort to restore nature. This week, this conservation work has focussed on our ponds and lakes…
Firstly, the main lake islands have had a haircut; the vegetation that has grown up over the summer has been removed and thrown into the lake. Why into the lake? Not, as you might suspect, to act as a warning to other plants. Instead, the rotting vegetation releases nutrients into the main lake and provides the perfect home for insects and small fish. And where there are insects and small fish, there are birds!
Secondly, the team have trimmed back the reeds surrounding the Discovery Zone boardwalk. Well, they are now surrounding it. Before the trim, they were more enveloping it entirely. But visitors can now safely immerse themselves in nature (probably not the best phrasing given it’s a pond we’re talking about, but oh well) and see the wildlife that calls the Discovery Zone ‘home’.
What’s On:
There is always something happening at Saltholme. This week, there have been several things happening. What a good job you’re reading this blog; we’re going to tell you all about these things below…
Image Credit: David Pritchard, RSPB Images
That’s right. Over the colder months, we will be running craft activities between 10am and 3pm on Saturdays (staffing permitting). It’s great fun for the whole family (and the staff and volunteers) and a great way to enjoy our reserve whatever the weather. Last week, children (and parents) made nature-inspired Halloween monsters in preparation for the end of this month. This time around, you can ‘leaf’ your worries behind and make a picture of Autumn Animals using paint and fallen leaves!
Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times (by which we mean the people that came in with the child. For the purposes of this event, our staff cannot be considered responsible adults). Responsible adults can make as much mess as they want (within reason) when joining in with the craft activity.
Anyone who visits us on a Thursday may have noticed a large group of schoolchildren enjoying the reserve. Whilst this is not an unusual sight, thanks to the work of our amazing Learning Team, the reason this group are here is definitely something special. These children are from Port Clarence Primary School and are taking part in a Literacy and Creative Writing Project. By the end of this academic year, every child in the school will have had the opportunity to explore wildlife and nature through descriptive writing, poems, song and much more. This not only benefits the children by supporting their academic work, but also helps to connect them to the natural world and learn about its importance.
Image Credit: Groundwork
Yes, you heard us correctly. We have a boat. And not just any boat. This boat is called Jenny, and she is a Coble from Greatham Creek. Cobles were fishing boats used on the estuary, that had the handy ability to double as a house. The houses fitted on top of the boat structure, giving the fishing community somewhere to stay whilst they were working. Jenny used to be a hard-working coble, but unfortunately sank. When she was recovered, she simply stood on a hard stand and had fallen into a state of disrepair.
Fortunately for Jenny, history and Saltholme, Groundwork North East are restoring her to her former glory! She will be part of a static exhibition at Saltholme, telling the story of Greatham Creek Coble Boat Houses.
And what is even more exciting is that YOU can get involved! Groundwork are currently recruiting volunteers to help restore and conserve Jenny. You don’t need to be an expert in boats, houses or houseboats. You simply need enthusiasm and a willingness to chip in. If you would like more information, please email Peter Jones through peter.jones@groundwork.org.uk
Recent Sightings:
The wildlife has been practically throwing itself at us this week; we’ve had a multitude of sightings as the winter waders and wildfowl begin to arrive. Here’s a brief roundup of what has been seen this week…
The lesser yellowlegs is a North American species. When seen in the UK, they are known as a ‘vagrant’ species as it is outside its normal wintering and breeding area. Image Credit: eBird
After a nightjar was obliging enough to pose on a fence for the majority of last week, we’ve now had a lesser yellowlegs posing on our wet grassland all of this week. Yes, most of our grassland has been wet over the past few days, but the designated area that’s damp even when it isn’t raining has hosted this North American species. This is the first record of this species at Saltholme!
Not to be outdone, one of our ‘summer’ species- a cetti’s warbler - serenaded visitors at the Wildlife Watchpoint hide.
Image Credit: Tim Robinson
Spoonbills have returned to Saltholme! They are not to be found, as you may expect, next to the knives and forks. Instead, walk to our Saltholme Pools hide for the best chance of seeing this species.
Also at Saltholme Pools were two grey plovers. These beautiful birds are named for their amazing breeding plumage. The individuals at Saltholme are not displaying these feathers at the moment, but are still lovely to watch.
The redwing (pictured above) is often confused with the fieldfare. Both have been recorded at Saltholme this week. Image Credit: Ben Andrew, RSPB Images
You know it’s autumn when the redwing and fieldfare arrive! These berry-loving birds can be differentiated by the presence/absence of a red patch underneath the wing. We’ll leave you to determine which species has the red patch and which one doesn’t…
This week, we’ll finish off our sightings list with something that isn’t a bird. The hedgehog pictured above has been sighted a number of times this week. Usually, seeing these nocturnal animals during the day is a sign they need help. However, these spiky mammals are currently stocking up for their winter hibernation. After a dry summer, many of them will be playing catch-up, and so will be seen more frequently out and about searching for food during the day. Hedgehogs must reach a weight of around 600 grams if they are to survive hibernation, and Saltholme’s hedgehog cleverly paraded around our feeding station where we could put some hedgehog food out for it (hedgehog food is available in our shop. Hedgehogs are not included).
If you want to learn more about hibernating hedgehogs, visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and the Woodland Trust websites.
Well, if that’s what’s been seen in a random week in October, just imagine what you could see on your next visit to Saltholme! We hope to see you soon.
References and Additional Reading
British Trust for Ornithology (2022). Lesser Yellowlegs [webpage]. Accessed through https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob5510.htm [last accessed 06/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Cetti’s Warbler [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/cettis-warbler/ [last accessed 06/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Fieldfare [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/fieldfare/ [last accessed 06/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Grey Plover [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/grey-plover/ [last accessed 07/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Hedgehog [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/mammals/hedgehog/ [last accessed 07/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Nightjar [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/nightjar/ [last accessed 06/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Redwing [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/redwing/ [last accessed 06/10/2022].
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Spoonbill [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/spoonbill/ [last accessed 06/10/2022].
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (2022). Hibernation [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hibernation-2/ [last accessed 07/10/2022].
The Woodland Trust (2020). When do hedgehogs hibernate? And other animals that hibernate [webpage]. Accessed through https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/09/when-hedgehogs-hibernate/ [last accessed 07/10/2022].