ALL HIS OWN WORK

Monday 21/09/09 I'm putting in some extra hours at the RSPB reserve at Saltholm, as next week I will be away in the Shap Fells on my ongoing "Birkett" campaign and might not get back in time to do my usual Thursday volunteering day. After that I could be working on a part-time basis with Debenham's Department Store in Middlesbrough over their busy Christmas period. I was employed there last year and have written to them asking for my old job back! So fingers crossed, a little income at Christmas is a good thing. Today's tasks start with the security patrol and opening up of the three hides: The Wildlife Watchpoint which gives access to the north-east reed beds, Paddy's Pool Hide which overlooks the lake and artificial island constructed by the contractors before the reserve opened in March 2009. It's named after the JCB digger operator who played the major role in building the island (I wonder what nationality he is). He did a good job and the island was "cockleshelled" by the reserve volunteers and has produced a wonderful nesting area for Common Terns (which are not as common as their name suggests), Saltholm produced a healthy crop of new terns this summer, so well done everyone. The final hide is the biggest one, called Saltholm Pools Hide, as the name suggests it overlooks two pools from a position midway between them, ie The West Saltholm Pool and Back Saltholm Pool. I took my camera round today and the picture is of the new fencing I helped Toby get in and up last week. The neighbouring farmer's cattle have been wading into the Haverton Pool, in the picture and coming up on the opposite side of the old inadequate fence to get to our pristine fresh grass, naughty things, the grass is for our Lapwings and Geese, not for greedy cows. The fence looks good and so far is doing the job intended, lets hope the cattle get the message. We use sheep on the reserve to help manage the grasslands but we do not want cows thank you.