An Improvement in the Weather

RSPB Mersehead Blog – 5^th- 11^th August

With slowly improving weather, visitors have been able to fully enjoy the wildlife and landscapes of Mersehead. Some visitor highlights include Spotted Flycatchers and Tawny Owls in the woodland, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers on the shore and flocks of Linnets across the fields!

Buzzard in flight. Photo credit: Josh Shaw

Although it is a quieter time of year for bird species, taking the time to stand still and listen will reveal them all around you – particularly in the hedges. Farmland hedges are a highly important habitat for sheltering species whether it be small mammals, birds or insects. They are also beneficial to the surrounding land; providing shelter to crops and livestock, supporting pollinators and encouraging natural ‘pest’ control. Here at Mersehead, farmland birds such as Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers and Linnets make good use of these hedgerows – keep your eyes peeled!

Stonechat in hedgerow. Photo credit: Josh Shaw

Butterfly surveys have taken place, a weekly occurrence that indicates the presence of different species and where they are found. This week we found 8 species, including Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell and Wall. Populations of Butterfly’s fluctuate from year to year, mainly as a result of the weather, so monitoring them on the reserve helps us to understand more.

Wall butterfly. Photo credit: Josh Shaw

Additionally, weekly Moth surveys have been undertaken, with 31 species found. It’s a pleasant activity; sat down taking a close look at all sorts of bright or brown and big or small Moths! Species include the vibrant ‘Ruby Tiger’, the bright ‘Canary Shouldered-Thorn’, the minute ‘Chinese Character’ and the shiny ‘Gold Spot’.

Gold Spot moth. Photo credit: Josh Shaw

All of the recent rainfall has begun the slow process of filling the wetlands – a gaggle of Canada geese quickly came and made use of this! But as the weather has improved, we’ve received some pretty spectacular sunsets.

Josh Shaw, Residential volunteer

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.