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We thought the Winter was never going to end!...However, we are a ‘glass half full’ type of team at the South Essex Marshes and there has been an upside to all the cold wet weather this winter; it has allowed us for the first time to achieve maximum water levels across much of the Marshes...

As we (apparently) move from Winter into Spring, Saltholme must say goodbye to a friend that has stuck by it in the past three months. This friend has endured wacky makeovers, wading through mud and water, and even being thrown around quite a lot. Mostly by children. Yes, we are bidding a fond farewell...

"The problem with gulls is that they all look the same", is a sentence that I commonly hear. Many different gulls look similar, and experienced birders learn to look for the subtle differences between species for proper gull identification. With the high degree of hybridization among gulls...

Phew! I'm still catching my breath after a busy half term week. I lost count at how many times I said the word 'welly' through the week, though I'm sure it went into the millions by Saturday :D Visitor numbers were pretty good throughout the week, more especially so at the start of...

Posted on behalf of Amanda Martin, our Community Outreach Officer : On Sunday 3 rd February the Saltholme Wildlife Explorers began a session to learn about the five species of owl we have in the UK and ended up making an important discovery about small mammals in and around Saltholme nature reserve...

I’ve checked, I’ve doubled checked, I’ve asked around the office and, as it turns out, it really is the end of January already! It seems mere moments ago that we were all gathered around Christmas trees, watching the Queen in 3D and peeling ourselves out of our beds at some late hour...

Happy Monday! Here at Saltholme we like a Monday, and this Monday is a particularly special one. Why? Well really, we're hurt you haven't remembered: it’s our birthday! No, don’t apologise. It’s okay! We weren’t expecting a gift anyway. Four years enjoying our beautiful...

Well, it’s that time of year again! If you’ve looked outside your window in the last 48 hours, you’ve probably noticed that the world is suddenly covered in a crisp blanket of white. Although we all like to have a good old moan when the snow falls and, inevitably, lingers endlessly...

Ah, the humble Wellington Boot. First introduced in 19 th Century and named after the much loved Duke of Wellington, something of a fashion icon of his time, the Welly was orginally made out of tight calfskin and designed to compliment a new clothing trend: the gentleman’s trouser. With the...

Taken at Arne, A Sika Stag saying "No closer buddy"!!!!

Taken at North hide.

25 12 11 - flock keeping low over rough seas.

It had been hunting for invertebrates amongst the rushes near the hide. Unfortunately it was silhouetted against afternoon sun for viewing, but its hunting success could be clearly seen. Two young Heron joined in the affair later on, and seemed to benefitting from its trampling technique to disturb prey...

***Posted on behalf of Alicia by her Dad!*** i've just been to middleton lakes with my family and i have seen a kestral, 2 great spotted woodpeckers,heron and a greenfinch chick. Chris and the team were out with their RSPB pod giving information. We helped make some fat balls which are now hanging...

Great crested grebe in low winter sun at RSPB Radipole. 14/02/11.

Bittern flying in to roost at dusk. 28/01/11.

Female goosander at RSPB Radipole. 28/01/11.

View of the parish church of St. John's at Melcombe Regis across the reedbeds at Lodmoor. 20/01/11.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) atop a sunflower head on the habitat-managed winter finch trail at RSPB Arne. 11/01/11.