Kath Smycki will be organising our trip to Saltholme RSPB reserve, The 1,000 acre site in Stockton on Tees contains areas of wet grasslands that are designated SSSI along with reedbeds, pools and meadows. It is renowned for its nationally important numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders.
At Saltholme there is always the chance of a bittern skulking in the reeds, a marsh harrier quartering the reed beds for a meal, a peregrine scaring every bird on the site or a water vole swimming along a ditch. Waders and wildfowl such as golden plover, lapwing, curlew, wigeon, teal, shoveler and gadwall gather in their thousands, roosting and feeding across the wet grasslands and pools. One of the most awesome spectacles is seeing massive flocks of roosting birds panic and fly into the air as peregrines hunt over Saltholme. You could also be lucky enough to see the resident water rails or if the tide is in our favour, a visiting seal swimming up Greatham Creek, a tidal creek at the northern end of the reserve, (also viewable with a live ‘seal cam’ from the visitor centre).
The site has four wildlife viewing hides, along with viewing screens and the viewing gallery in the visitor centre. The centre also has a café, shop and facilities. The trails are good and there are two mobility scooters available for loan from the visitor centre. Map of reserve
Entrance to the site is free for RSPB members but non-members need to pay £4, although some members may be able to help with concession entries. Please remember your RSPB membership card.
We will need at least 27 people to book onto this trip to make it viable. Please register your interest early (in the usual way) in order that we can confirm the coach booking.