RSPB Mersehead Blog 20th- 26th April 2024
Barnacle Goose numbers have dropped rapidly over the past week from 7,450 to 4,550. The geese are starting to depart from the area as they begin their 2,000-mile migration back to their breeding grounds on Svalbard. In 2023, the last geese left the reserve on 27th April so we may only have a matter of days left to enjoy their company. Pink-footed goose migration has also been evident this week with skeins high in the sky alerting us to their presence by the distinctive “wink wink” call.
Barnacle Geese in flight. Photo credit: Dave Jackson.
As the days start to become warmer and drier we have seen a number of new butterflies emerge. The first Orange-tip Butterfly was noted with excitement on Tuesday, along with Speckled Wood and Green-Veined White. Other sightings of note this week where singing Blackcap returning to the woodland and the Marsh Harrier was spotted soaring over the reedbed again.
Green-Veined White on Cuckoo Flower. Photo credit: G. Chambers.
Cuckoo Flower - Food plant of the Orange-tip Butterfly. Photo credit: R. Chambers
Although the days are becoming warmer there have been some chilly nights with the thermostat registering a minimum of 2oC. This has slowed downed the speed at which the Natterjack Toads are spawning with only four new spawns strings recorded this week.
Two of the New Natterjack Spawn Strings recorded this week. Photo credit: R. Chambers
Some of the earliest spawn found on the 8th April has now hatched into tiny tadpoles and hopefully we will see toadlet emergence in a few weeks’ time. The team were out untill 1am Tuesday morning competing the second of the adult Natterjack toad surveys. We recorded 106, just three more than two weeks ago. Each toad is carefully measured which gives us an understanding of the population dynamics of the toad colony. We are delighted to see that there are plenty of young toads in the population which gives a certain level of security to the breeding population over the next few years.
The spawn string starting to develop into tadpoles. photo credit: R. Chambers
At less than 40mm, this individual is classed as a juvenile. Toads of this size are not normally recorded at the breeding pools. Phot credit. R. Chambers
The first Lapwing chicks of the year were discovered this week with 16 individuals from 4 broods recorded during our twice weekly survey for Lapwing nests.
Lapwing chicks are born with a striking appearance, covered in soft, fluffy, yellowish-brown feathers that helps camouflage themselves in sparse undergrowth. However, it's not just their appearance that makes lapwing chicks fascinating. These birds are also what we call 'precocial', which means that they are able to move around and find their own food very shortly after hatching. Unlike songbirds, that rely on their parents to bring them food until they've fledged, precocial birds like lapwings start to look for food by themselves, pretty much as soon as they've hatched.
Lapwing with chicks. Photo credit: A. Sutton.
The chicks do still rely on their parents for protection and guidance, and adult lapwings can be seen fiercely defending chicks against predators, but being able to explore and eat independently gives them a fighting chance at survival. However, they do rely on their mother to brood them, as they are unable to regulate their own body temperature. When brooding the adult Lapwing has a very distinctive shape which is extremely useful when looking for chicks as it immediately tells the observer that chicks are present. Join our Lapwings and Larks Guided Walk to learn more about this iconic wetland bird.
Distinctive shaping of a brooding adult. Photo credit: Amy Millard (rspb-images.com).
Rowena Chambers, Warden
At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages - Barnacle and Shelduck. Available summer dates are currently going quickly, follow the links to book your next holiday.
Upcoming events: For more information on individual events and to book a place, please go to our website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead
Natterjack Night: Fully Booked
26th April
Lapwings and Larks: Guided Walk; Booking Essential
4th May
*Flooding - Please note that Mersehead nature reserve 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.