RSPB Mersehead Blog 4th – 10th March 2023
The first half of the week continued the Spring like feel that was highlighted in last week’s blog. The hedgerows have been alive with activity, and some (notably a pair of Blue Tits in the Sulwath Garden) have started checking out the available real estate; popping in and out of the plentiful nest boxes dotted across the reserve. Eagle-eyed visitors will notice a number of boxes along the trails are on posts, at head height. These were erected for the Tree Sparrows which we are so fortunate to have in residence at Mersehead. They have all recently been cleaned out and refurbished, in the hope that they will be occupied this Spring – even if not by sparrows.
Feeling like Spring. Photo credit: P. Radford
Adding to the spring-like feel earlier in the week, Brown Hares were spotted chasing each other through the fields, a bumblebee was heard buzzing from the depths of a Bay Tree and a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly made an early emergence from its overwintering resting place in one of the reserve cottages. We even spotted a lonely Lesser Celandine along a reedbed trail. In relation to the hares, it is most likely that what was witnessed was a male chasing a female, who obviously didn’t feel it was necessary to fend off her pursuer by engaging in the boxing behaviour that is iconic of this species.
Brown hare in hot pursuit. Photo credit: Claire Farrell
A lonely Lesser Celandine. Photo credit: P. Radford
Night-time temperatures dropped as low as -4 degrees Celsius during the week, and then the weather turned more wintery on Thursday, with a strong, bitterly cold north-easterly wind bringing driving snow in the late afternoon and through the night. The reserve awoke to a light dusting of snow and – unsurprisingly – an empty moth trap. With the Summer Garden Moth Scheme (GMS) restarting last week, look out for more moth updates in future blogs. The lack of moths afforded some spare time to get some nice snowy photographs.
Wren in the snow. Photo credit: A. Sutton
Robin in early morning sunshine. Photo credit: A. Sutton
Blackbird on snowy verge. Photo credit: A. Sutton
It was surprising to see a late flock of 30-40 Skylark foraging in the field. Photo credit: A. Sutton
The moths weren't keen on an igloo trap. Photo credit: P. Radford
Roe Deer bounding through the snow. Photo credit: Claire Farrell
The photographers becoming the photographed. Photo credit: A. Sutton
Glorious sunshine on Friday made for perfect survey conditions, as we headed down to Glencaple for March’s Wetland Bird Survey. The results are summarised in the following table:
Kirkconnell WeBS Count: Friday 10th March
Other notable sightings at Mersehead this week include:
Paul Radford, Assistant Warden
Mersehead holiday cottages
At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages- Barnacle and Shelduck. Available dates are currently going quickly, follow the links to book your next holiday.