Little grebe entertains as group go to reserve
ROCHDALE Field Naturalists took the coach to Middlesbrough to visit Saltholme, a relatively new RSPB Reserve which the society was going to for the first time.
The impressive visitor centre was the first port of call, and from its panoramic windows looking out over the lake we saw numerous duck species including teal, gadwall, wigeon and shoveler, as well as beautifully marked male pintails and barnacle geese.
A little grebe amused us as it continually dived under the water and then popped up elsewhere.
On the feeders, we observed tree sparrows among the more common species.
A colourful male stonechat was showing off by perching at the very top of small bushes and on fence posts, cheekily posing for photographers.
Other bird species included flocks of wintering golden plover. They sometimes caught the sun’s rays and appeared to be birdshaped gold nuggets.
Among several other species of wading birds, black-tailed godwits were using their long bills to probe the mud for worms and small crustaceans.
A single whooper swan was seen – perhaps separated from its family members when flying from Iceland to the UK and a lonesome gannet flying over, reminded us that Saltholme is close to the sea.
Some fortunate members glimpsed the dazzling blue and orange colours of a kingfisher and others were lucky enough to photograph a water pipit, a shy and secretive winter visitor to the UK.
A brown hare with its distinctive large ears was spotted in a large expanse of open grassland and a weasel scuttled across the path.
Saltholme lies in an area of heavy industry with the iconic Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge standing out as a backdrop.
Roger Crofts was not the only member of the party who declared: “It’s amazing what wonderful wildlife watching is possible in industrial Middlesbrough.”