Trip reports
Tour of Saltholme Reserve
Sunday, 17 December 2006
Dave Braithwaite, Site Manager, was on hand to welcome us, to fill in some background information, give us the latest progress report and to answer all our questions. In addition there was plenty to see as we made our way around the site in what were, it has to be said, rather muddy conditions.
It was good to hear that all required funding is in place and the next stage is to put the construction work out to tender. This will include a new access road from the A168, car parking area, visitors' centre, family hide, paths/trails around the site and viewing platforms/screens. Completion/opening date is set for May 2008. It was easy to see why Dave is so enthusiastic about the project and to share his optimism.
We asked all the essential questions. What about security? What about vandalism?
What about open access for all? What about serious birdwatching? Dave had answers for all our questions and it does seem the planners have thought of everything.
As we toured the site, we were interested to see current birdlife. There were greylag and canada geese, lapwing, golden plover and curlew, all in significant numbers. Long-tailed tits, shoveller, pochard and teal were present in smaller numbers.
Now a question: why did the rabbit cross the road? Well, actually, it wasn't a rabbit, it was a hare. Also it wasn't a road, it was a stretch of water. I refer to the star attraction of the morning. As we climbed to a vantage point overlooking one of the 'lakes', we noticed a hare down below us at the water's edge. He was clearly not happy that we were there and promptly entered the water and proceeded to swim across. We were all willing him on and it was a great relief when he made it safely to the other side.
All in all, an interesting morning and we now look forward to Dave Braithwaite's visit when he speaks at our evening meeting on 12th March, 2007.