There were 31 people on our trip to Saltholme on Sunday. The weather was dry, but with some threatening clouds during the day. After a comfort stop at Skelton Lake Services, where some purchased their breakfasts from Greggs, we travelled on to Saltholme in anticipation of a great day’s birding, arriving at approx. 10:10 am.
We weren’t disappointed. After entering the reserve, and showing our membership cards, we established the layout of the reserve and obtained maps from reception, some having received maps on the coach and others having printed them off online. The group split into several smaller groups, some heading for the café, others the viewing from the Visitor Hub before setting off on their preferred routes.
Those following the Wilderness Trail to the north of the reserve had the most views of various species. Most raptors were seen in that area as well as woodland birds. The sunshine bouncing off the water on the lakes hampered some viewing, with identification being challenging.
A highlight for the small group with Pater Hugo was a wild Wood Mouse feeding station called a Mouse in the House where you could watch it drinking and feeding through a small glass window, which they thought was a novel idea.
Others headed to the west of the reserve and the Saltholme Pools where several species of geese were gathered – Barnacle, Pink-footed, Greylag and Canada. Good views of several duck species and waders were also seen there. However, a good mix was present all over the reserve.
The highlights of the day from the Phil Stead Hide were the Jack Snipe – most people being able to see that bobbing along in the grass – and the Water Pipit which a few managed to see in the muddy area.
In all, 75 different species were sighted, with two others being under review. We also noticed dark furry caterpillars on the path to the Phil Stead Hide and discovered that they were Ruby Tiger Moth Caterpillars. Definitely untouchables.
The homeward journey was a little longer, as was expected, as more traffic on the motorways meant more hold-ups. Having left Saltholme at 4:05, we arrived back in Stockport around 7pm.
It is worth looking at the Bird List from the day to see what is likely at this time of the year in that area. A trip worth doing again in the future.
Veronica
Bird List:
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Great White Egret
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Spoonbill
Mute Swan
Pink-footed Goose
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Barnacle Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Mallard
Shoveler
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Smew
Marsh Harrier
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Peregrine
Pheasant
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Avocet
Ringed Plover
Lapwing
Dunlin
Ruff
Jack Snipe
Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
Curlew
Redshank
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Woodpigeon
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Water Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Redwing
Cetti’s Warbler
Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Raven
Starling
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Reed Bunting
74 birds in total
Invertibrates
Ruby Tiger Moth Catterpillar
(Many thanks to ‘Alan and Glo’ for the heron photo and others that may well feature on other pages)