It’s that time of year when many birds are starting to arrive in the UK, from Southern Europe and Africa, to set up home while those wintering here are thinking about heading north to Greenland, Iceland and Northern Europe. For the next few weeks there will be an interesting mix of migrants, with Wheatears feeding alongside Barnacle Geese, and Swallows and Martins feeding over wintering wildfowl.
Whooper Swans (Photo by Gavin Chambers)
The first spring migrant to arrive was a pair of Garganey on 11th March. We had to wait just over a week for the next migrant in the form of a couple of cracking male Wheatear feeding along the beach which arrived on the 19th, the same day as our first Peacock Butterfly on the wing. Chiffchaff just arrived yesterday (22nd) with one feeding around the car park.
Chiffchaff (Photo by Gavin Chambers)
Sitting in the visitor centre I can currently see 1000’s of Barnacle Geese feeding and bathing along with 10 sleepy Whooper Swans which arrived overnight and are now resting and feeding before continuing their migration north to Iceland, 26 Whooper Swans moved through on 14th. In the same fields are several pairs of Lapwing tumbling and swooping in their display flight. Several Yellowhammer have continued to brighten up the already vibrant feeding station along with a good number of Tree Sparrow.
Mersehead feeding station in full bloom!
Also seen around the reserve have been; several Goldcrest, ringtail Hen Harrier, male Goldeneye, Water Rail from Meida Hide, the long staying Green-winged Teal, Weasel outside visitor centre, and both Barn and Tawny Owls have been seen and/or heard after dark.
It’s not just birds that migrate at this time of year. Rob, our regular winter blogger over the last 5 months has now departed and is due to start his summer contract at the RSPB Mull of Galloway reserve at the end of the month. Without wanting to put pressure on Rob, I’m sure there will be blogs coming from the Mull throughout the summer! It won’t be long till I’m also heading off south to start a summer contract at RSPB Lake Vyrnwy in mid-Wales.