Hi all, from Emily
Life at Saltholme is busy as ever, with the October half term being crammed full of events. Saturday 24 was the RSPB’s Feed The Birds Day, which highlights the importance of feeding garden birds and the enjoyment that can be had from doing it. I was in Saltholme’s education room making fat cakes with children, and a very messy time was had by all! Keeping on the messy theme, I have been making paper and jewellery with children today as part of our half term activities. They all seemed to really enjoy making a bit of bling, although one child seemed more concerned that there might be sharks in the main Saltholme pool. I think one of our great hide guides might have had fun pulling her leg in the Wildlife Watchpoint.
Our next big event for children is on Sunday 6 December and is a Winter Wonderland. I’ll tell you more about this next month, but the event includes making some great festive crafts and there will be a chance for children to meet Santa as well! Have a look on the events part of the Saltholme website for more information about our upcoming events.
At the end of this week (Wed 28 to Fri 30 October), we are also having a starling roost event. Safety in numbers, more efficient feeding and ev
en the need to keep warm, are some of the theories behind why such huge congregations of starlings form at this time of year. Staff are all really looking forward to sharing the amazing autumn spectacle of around 10,000 starlings dancing and swooping over the reserve. We’ll take you out to the best vantage point on the reserve and, while we wait for the starlings to arrive, you can try a cup of our café’s delicious home-made soup. Call the centre on 01642 546625, if you would like to book a place. The starling roost is now particularly special. In the past 25 years, the numbers of breeding starlings in the UK has declined by more than half. Fewer feeding opportunities and nesting places are all reasons why these birds are now of national conservation concern.
Our café has also now changed to using, where possible, just local food producers. We’re now stocking produce from local greengrocers, bakers and butchers, meaning Saltholme’s food is even fresher and Saltholme itself is even greener. Our visitors seem to agree; one recently left a comment in the suggestion box that praised the chocolate muffins as being ‘out of this world’.
We are now the proud owner of two very new and shiny mobility scooters, which are available to hire out free from the centre. If you would like to pre book a scooter, please call the centre (number listed above).
The Wildlife Explorers group at Saltholme has been very busy this year, with children aged 4-12 learning about wildlife at Saltholme and the surrounding area. We've found newts in the pond, owls on the reserve, hares in the meadow and dragonflies on the paths. Who knows what we will find this winter - one thing's for sure, we'll wrap up warm so we can still get outside! Next month, we will be at Wynyard Woodland Park - why not join us? Ring 01642542077 for more information, or email ben.calvert@rspb.org.uk. Also, look out for our Phoenix club for teenagers starting in the New Year! We’ll meet once a month and do great conservation work such as building a bird feeding station.