A Cutter Above the Rest!

RSPB Mersehead Blog – 12th- 18th August

Our Saturday morning work party began preparations for our Family Fun Day which was fast approaching on Thursday. Bird boxes were cut, sawn, nailed and sanded ready for the big day along with medallion making which would be available for children to decorate on the day. Signs and banners were recycled and painted to help inform people of what was on offer (no plastic laminates in sight).

The working week began with final preparations taking place for the fun day, Tuesday work party volunteers cut and strimmed the Sulwath garden making it look extra tidy. Following advice from an Agronomist to control Rush Juncush which would in turn help the Barnacle Geese who we look forward to welcoming back in October, Liming took place. Liming helps raise the pH of the soil which will help stop the Rush from taking over and help the geese.

Liming Spreading in Action Photo Credit: C.Farrel

I was off site engaging with holiday makers at Sandyhills and Southerness promoting our funday, the Conservation Team were surveying the site and were greeted by the lovely smell of Water Mint  Mentha aquatica growing in the ditches around the reserve which is a vital source of nectar for butterflies. They also discovered a Leaf Cutter Bee Megachile which uses leaf pieces to construct cells within their nests.

Leaf Cutter Bee Photo Credit C.Farrel

On Thursday the weather held out and it was a Fantastic Family Funday with lots on offer. Visitors got stuck into bird box decorating, toasting marshmallows, sweep netting water troughs, guessing how many cockles were in a jar, bug hunts, sensory nature trails and owl pellet dissection. The event was well attended by both local families and holiday makers.  

Summer Family Funday Photo Credit C.Murray

One of visitors spotted more than half a dozen Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe on Rainbow Lane and the beach. At the end of the week the results were in for the moth survey. Numbers were down this week mainly due to a windy Thursday night but a Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis was discovered. Then it was off to Kirkconnell Merse to check on water troughs and fence electrics for cattle who will grazing on the merse with more pleasant sunshine.

Wheatear Photo Credit B. Taylor

George Hemstock Community Engagement Officer

Notices

RSPB Mersehead is running a full and varied Events Program. We are looking for Volunteers who can help with all our Visitor Engagement Activities, from welcoming people on arrival, to leading events and activities. In a nutshell, we are looking for volunteers who can provide a great visitor experience here on the reserve. If you love nature and working with people as much as we do, then we’d like you to join our team! Please get in touch with us here.

 For more information on individual events and to book a place please go to our website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead

Holiday Cottages 

In the winter, RSPB Mersehead is home to internationally important numbers of wildfowl including the Svalbard Barnacle Geese. Book your Mersehead holiday this winter through the cottage links – Barnacle and Shelduck – located in the heart of reserve.