A visit to Ailsa Craig

RSPB Mersehead Blog 8^th – 14^th July 2023

Welcome to the weekly RSPB Mersehead Nature Reserve Blog!

Work continues on the outer fields at Mersehead, with a tractor recently being deployed to some of our fields, equipped with a power harrow and rotavator to carefully prepare the ground for reseeding. This process may seem disruptive at first, but it plays a vital role in maintaining the health and vibrancy of the land by ensuring grass takes well and is ready to provide for our main winter visitors when the arrive; Svalbard Barnacle Geese!

Elsewhere, the wildflower meadow continues to entertain, providing a haven for a variety of butterfly species. Lots of freshly hatched small tortoiseshells have been seen recently, as well as the colourful comma butterfly and impressive painted lady also being seen on the reserve this week. Be sure to take a closer look at the flowers, as they often attract an abundance of other wildlife including bees, such as bumblebees and honeybees. These industrious creatures play a vital role in pollination, ensuring the health and diversity of the reserve's plant life.

Painted Lady butterfly. Photo credit: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

To celebrate the rich insect life at RSPB Mersehead, we invite you to join our upcoming event, the 'Bug Blitz Land & Water Event.' This exciting event will take place on the morning of Thursday 20th July, and it promises to be filled with discovery and exploration. Led by our knowledgeable Community Engagement Officer George, you'll have the opportunity to uncover the hidden world of bugs lurking in the meadows and hedgerows. Get your hands on sweep nets and venture to the burn, where you can find a fascinating array of freshwater beasties. Please note that parental supervision is required for this event, ensuring a safe and educational experience for children.

To secure your spot at the 'Bug Blitz Land & Water event', be sure to book online in advance. Spaces are limited, so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. When making your booking, please provide a contact number, as the reserve is occasionally prone to flooding, and we want to ensure we can reach you with any important updates. On the day of the event, we kindly request a £3 Car Parking fee for non-RSPB members. Your support will directly contribute to the conservation efforts at RSPB Mersehead and help us preserve the precious habitats that make this reserve so special.

Creepy crawlies in hedgerows; a Cinnabar Moth caterpillar. Photo credit: H.Bagnell

In other exciting news, a group of lucky staff recently had the fortunate opportunity to visit the island of Ailsa Craig, north of Stranrear. Their visit served two important purposes: assisting with breeding seabird surveys and looking for visible signs of Avian Influenza (AI). The visit was a success, as there were no clear signs of AI, and the visibility allowed for accurate seabird counts. This effort contributes to the ongoing conservation and protection of our precious wildlife.

Black Guillemot takes off with a tasty morsel. Photo credit: A.Sutton

Counting breeding Common Guillemots! Photo credit: A.Sutton

A Northern Gannet flying by Ailsa Craig island. Photo credit: A.Sutton

Adam Sutton, Residential Volunteer

 RSPB Mersehead is running a full and varied program of Events. 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.