New plans for nature reserve thanks to £300k funding

Starting this month, RSPB Saltholme, near Hartlepool, is having three of its wildlife viewing structures refurbished, pools re-landscaped, and a new dragonfly boardwalk installed, which will weave visitors through meadow and grassland areas.

There are also plans to create three new scrapes and construct a brand new viewing pod for visitors.

Saltholme has been fortunate to receive over £300,000 in funding from the Teesside Environmental Trust, the RSPB’s long term partners at the reserve, to carry out the works.

Dave Braithwaite, site manager, said: “We’re all very excited about the changes coming to the reserve.

“The improvements will not only make the wildlife viewing spectacle even better than it already is, but also improve the surroundings for birds and other wildlife.”

Dr Therese Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defra, visited Saltholme earlier this month and saw some of the work underway at the Wildlife Watchpoint, one of the structures being updated.

She said: “I want to thank the RSPB team, the Teesside Environmental Trust and their volunteers for their hard work creating this project which I’m sure will be enjoyed by adults and children alike.”

The first two hides to be updated – Paddy’s and Wildlife Watchpoint – are expected to be completed by the end of March, in time for the busy Easter season.

Saltholme Pool’s hide, and the pools surrounding it, will be upgraded during the summer.