And So it Begins

RSPB Mersehead Blog 21^st – 27^th September 2024

The seasons are changing as we leave summer behind and move forward into autumn. We began the annual task of cutting and nutrient stripping our wildflower meadows this week. Wildflowers thrive on poor nutrient depleted soils as this reduces competition from quick growing grasses which would smother out the wildflowers in a nutrient rich environment. At the end of summer each year, the meadows are cut after the plants have set seed.

Wildflower Meadow in full bloom during the summer.

Cutting the Meadow after the plants have set seed.

The cut vegetation is then raked off the ground and removed to prevent the decaying vegetation from adding nutrients to the soil. Our Belted Galloway herd were the lucky recipients of the cuttings and were seen tucking in with gusto.

Seed-eating birds generally experience a glut of food availability in the autumn but increasingly struggle to find food as winter progresses. This summer, we have planted three seed-rich plots on the reserve which aim to provide species such as Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Linnet and Reed Bunting with a continuing source of food throughout the ‘hungry gap’ during late winter. The plots are rich in seed bearing plants including linseed, white millet, red millet, fodder radish, triticale and dwarf sunflower. A flock of 70 Linnet have been feeding along the plot besides the Visitor Centre this week.

The plots also benefit insects including bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies throughout the summer months as the plants flower. The presence of a nearby hedge is an important feature as the birds will continue to return to the hedge seeking safety from predators.

In September, we start conducting the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) again after a break during the breeding season. This monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds in the UK aims to assess the size of species populations, determine trends in their numbers and assess the importance of individual sites informing the conservation of species and habitats. The Solway Firth is an important estuary in the UK for wintering waterfowl being internationally important for Pintail and Teal and nationally important for Shoveler. Pink-footed Geese have returned from their breeding grounds with 2470 recorded on the reserve during the WeBS count. The twice daily inundation of the tide creates a dynamic habitat where birds are moved from their feeding grounds onto roosting sites therefore the WeBS monitoring is timed with the tides enabling counters to record the number of birds at the high tide roost.

The high tide wader roost recorded:

Rowena Chambers

Did you know that Mersehead is the only RSPB reserve with self-catering holiday cottages? Barnacle geese from the bedroom window . . tree sparrow on the bird table . . thousands of wintering wildfowl . . a cosy log burner . . . If this sounds like a great winter holiday, find out more about BARNACLE and SHELDUCK as we have limited availability between now and Christmas.

If you are free on Saturday 28 September from 10am why not come along the Great British Beach Clean?  We are joining forces with D&G Eco Warriors to take part in the national Great British Beach Clean initiative run by the Marine Conservation Society.  

Join us at Mersehead this Sunday 29 September for Forrest School led by our experienced Forrest School Practitioners Edward and Sam. Forrest School involves learning in tune with nature with the aim of promoting new skills, confidence, self-esteem, and team building while participants take part in fun outdoor activities.   

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

During October we are delighted to be running two events as part of Dumfries & Galloway’s Wild Goose Festival 2024 (https://wildgoosefestival.scot/) .  Join our guide at the 'Goose Roost of Sandflats' events to see the Svalbard Barnacle Geese descending on the reserve to roost or learn more about how we manage the reserve for wildlife by joining an 'Autumn Discovery Walk'.

We are pleased to see the return of our 'Badger Banquets' which provide the opportunity to learn about and see badgers close up from the comfort of the Sulwath Centre.

Last but not least, is our 'Halloween and Weird Geese trail', a self-guided family activity trail is available from 12^th to 27^th October. Why not explore the trail for some spooky creatures and learn about the mystery and magic of our Barnacle Geese and their cousins. Frights are optional!

 *Flooding - Please note that the council road leading to Mersehead is prone to flooding during periods of high rainfall and/or strong winds and tidal surges. To avoid disappointment at these times, please contact the reserve in advance of your visit by email in the first instance at mersehead@rspb.org.uk or check the RSPB Dumfries and Galloway Facebook Page for daily updates.