RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 17th – 23rd April 2021
After a slightly delayed start to their breeding season due to the cold weather the Mersehead Natterjack toad colony are finally off to a flying start! A full survey of the breeding pools found a total of 18 spawn strings with an average water temperature of 14.5oC. We also found 3 pairs in amplexus during the survey. Although we have seen the night air temperature as low as -1oC this week, it is the air temperature surrounding dusk which is critical and needs to be at least 7oC to encourage breeding. The days are also starting to get warmer with a maximum of 19oC recorded this week. This means that the water temperature in the shallow breeding pools heats up during the day and will remain warm into the evening.
Natterjack Spawn String. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Pair in amplexus. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
This week has seen the first round of breeding Wildfowl and Wader surveys across Mersehead. Lapwings are in full swing defending their territories with the main breeding colony being within the fields along the side of Rainbow Lane. We also have displaying Redshank in these fields and out on the wetlands. We recorded a good diversity of wildfowl, with Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal all paired up. We will be watching these pairs carefully over the coming weeks to see if they have a trail of fluffy ducklings following them which will enable us to confirm successful breeding on the reserve.
Gadwall pair. Photo credit: Bew Andrew (rspb-images.com)
In addition to the adult Lapwing surveys, our most intensive survey is identifying the location of lapwing nests and monitoring the survival rate of the chicks. It is inevitable that some eggs and chicks will be predated by other species. A pair of Raven, also a protected species, has been seen taking Lapwing eggs to feed their chick. By tracking the growth of the Lapwing chicks from newly hatched to fledged we are able to estimate the sustainability of the population. If each pair can raise just two chicks out of the four that hatch, the Lapwing colony will continue to thrive and grow. The exciting news this week is that the first chicks have hatched!
The other exciting news is that from Monday 26th April our Bruiach and Meida Hide will be open! To abide by Scottish Covid Guidelines our hide capacity will be limited to six people from two households.
On the woodland path heading towards Meida Hide, keep a lookout for the tiny Moschatel with its easy to recognise but tiny flower. The arrangement of four petals in a cube with a fifth petal as a lid has given this little plant the nickname ‘town-hall clock’. Wood Sorrel is blooming with the first Pink Purslane and Red Campion flowers are also appearing.
Wood Sorrel (white flower) & Moschatel (green flower; see arrow). Photo credit R.Flavelle
A distant Cuckoo was heard calling this week just as the Cuckooflower has started to bloom! The warm weather has encouraged more butterflies onto the wing with the first Orange-tip recorded.
Cuckooflower. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
A Whimbrel dropped into the wetlands at the start of the week. In the UK, this species only breeds in north Scotland and is a passage migrant to other areas in spring as it travels to its wintering areas in Africa. The photo below shows the Whimbrel in flight with two Curlew. The smaller body and shorter break are clearly visible in the silhouettes created by the sky.
Two Curlew (left-hand side) & Whimbrel (right-hand side). Photo credit: G.Chambers.
We are extremely excited to be able to welcome you back to Mersehead with more of our facilities open and available to you. From Monday 26th April the festival hut will be open and a staff member/volunteer on hand to welcome you to the reserve, point you in the right direction and answer all those questions! Please note that from Monday the car park charge of £3/car for non-RSPB members will return to help the RSPB to continue to protect the wonderful wildlife at Mersehead. Come and chat to us at the festival hut if you are interested in becoming an RSPB member.
Although the Visitor Centre will remain closed, the toilet will be available from 10am-4pm.
Our two Holiday cottages Barnacle and Shelduck are set to reopen on 26th April – we have limited availability left for the summer so click on the links now to secure a booking.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden