Hi everyone,
It's me again with a quick update on Saltholme's winter wildlife. You really should head over to Saltholme before Christmas. There's some very special wildlife on show.
The long-eared owls are the stars of the moment. Five of them were seen today. If you'd like to see them, ask at reception. We don't want to disturb them so you need to join Toby, Saltholme's assistant warden, who'll take you to see them.
Have you seen a fox before? Lots of visitors have had their first sightings of foxes at Saltholme this week. One of this year's cubs stopped for a nap right outside the visitor centre. Another was seen in the discovery zone catching
Elsewhere, 12 grey partridges were on the snow-covered meadow. One woodcock was spotted in the Haverton Scrub, along with one green woodpecker. There were also at least 4 bullfinches in the hedges.
Another wildlife spectacle is the wheeling flock of around 400 fieldfares, blackbirds, redwings and song thrushes that are in the hedge along the lake walk.
At the wildlife watchpoint, two water rails were giving very close views. The bittern was seen heading into the reeds at Haverton just after 3 pm.
Bye for now,
Ben.