Mersehead Recent Sightings 10th- 16th February
Winter and Spring sit side by side at this time of year. With the hedgerows coming alive with the songs of Greenfinch, Robin, Wren and Blue Tit but with thousands of wintering Svalbard Barnacle Geese, wildfowl and waders still present as well 100’s of wintering finches, it’s a time of anticipation. Animals are building up strength for the trials and tribulations of the year ahead; long journeys, finding a mate, finding food to feed a nest full of hungry mouths. We manage Mersehead to provide these things; grass for Geese, winter crops for finches, wetland habitat for waders and wildfowl. Recent management has seen us dropping the water levels slightly in front of the visitor’s centre to expose muddy edges and make accessible areas that were previously too deep for dabbling ducks and as a result there has been a marked increase in the amount of birds present. Pintail still feed in the deeper areas; its long, sword-like tail feather pointing skyward, whilst the diminutive Teal can be seen hugging the shallower edges, being the smallest duck in the UK it is unable to access food from the deeper water where the Pintail feeds. Shoveler are regularly present, sieving mud and water with their comically oversized spatulate bill to hopefully reveal seeds and insects within. Lapwing and Redshank feed along the newly exposed muddy edges whilst the two Little Egret’s continues to be sighted most days.
Shoveler. Photo credit: Andy Hay
We’ve had good numbers of Skylark and Linnet on our Winter Passerine survey this week with 72 and 81 birds counted respectively. A group of 10 Reed Bunting and 38 Chaffinch were seen feeding in the same field as the Skylark and Linnet whilst two Bullfinch were seen in the hedgerow outside the Sulwath Centre. Though not recorded on the survey, two Siskin have been regular visitors to the feeders this week.
Male Bullfinch. Photo credit: John Bridges
On Tuesday some of our volunteers and a few lucky visitors witnessed a Barn Owl flying around by the Barns (cliche?) during in the day. Although we can’t be sure why, one reason that it’s thought Barn Owls hunt in the day, when they’re usually a nocturnal hunter, is that poor weather overnight prevents them from hunting successfully. This theory fits with this sighting as the previous night saw wet and windy weather prevail.
Barn Owl. Photo credit: John Bridges
On Friday we were over at Kirkconnell carrying out our monthly Wetland Bird Survey. It was a fairly quiet count compared to previous surveys but highlights included 29 Shelduck, 91 Curlew, 39 Oystercatcher, 85 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, as well as 1 knot and 1 pink-footed Goose. Although the Inner Solway is the most important site for Knot in Scotland, with large numbers being seen at Caerlaverock close by, the Knot is an uncommon sight at Kirkconnell so it was great to see and record this species.
Back at Mersehead 837 Golden Plover were seen on the new land, whilst over 300 Lapwing can be seen feeding and flocking regularly from Bruiach Hide. During the week Barnacle Geese have been feeding regularly in the first field on your left as you enter the reserve, giving great views as you drive towards the car park.
Why not join us from 10am- 1pm this Sunday for our Bird Ringing Demo. North Solway Ringing Group's ringing demonstrations are not to be missed. We're offering a unique and rare opportunity to experience close encounters of the birds seen at our visitor centre, like blue tits, green finches and highly camouflaged tree sparrows. You never know what you might see! Join us to discover more about the lives of these intriguing little birds. Drop in at any time during the morning's activity. Price: Adults £4 (RSPB members £3), Children half price. Car parking charges apply for non members. For more information you can call us on 01387 780579.
Lana Blakely, Assistant Warden