Mersehead Recent Sightings 18th – 24th March
Lesser celandine is one of the earliest wild flowers to bloom and is currently peeking out from beneath the hedgerows at Mersehead. The petals of lesser celandine close at night and during the day when it is overcast. It was a favourite wildflower of the poet William Wordsworth, who wrote three poems dedicated to the flower and the flower is carved on his tomb. In the woodland, the tiny moschatel can be seen all the way along the side of the footpath to Meida hide. Moschatel is also known by the name ‘town-hall clock’ which refers to the neat arrangement of five yellowish-green flowers which all sit together at the top of the stem with four flowers facing outwards and one upwards. Undeservedly, this tiny little flower has the Latin name ‘Adoxa’ which means ‘without glory’. Wood anemone, wood sorrel and primrose are all present around the reserve too.
Lesser Celandine (Photo credit: R.Flavelle)
Primrose (Photo credit: R.Flavelle)
The lapwings have been busy with their tumbling display flights over Mersehead this week. Lapwings have a complex series of breeding season displays both in the air and on the ground; the aerial displays advertise, define and maintain territories whilst conveying important information to the female in selecting a mate. Morning, late afternoon and into the evening are the best times to hear and see lapwing display as their activity declines towards midday. The wetland field directly in front of the Visitor Centre is currently the best place to see this spectacular song flight. We also have a pair of oystercatcher and 6 redshank hanging around this field too. With the feeders and bird table just outside the window, there is plenty to be seen just sitting on the sofas with a cup of tea. Yellowhammer has reappeared on the bird table and close up views of the male pheasant show off his marvellous kaleidoscopic plumage at its best.
The Mersehead bird table (Photo credit: R.Flavelle)
Whooper swans have flown overhead three times this week including Thursday night when 50 flew over whilst we were out monitoring the predator fence. Chiffchaff can be heard loud and clear singing away in the woodland and 2 magpies have been a regular sighting on the access road. Kestrel and sparrowhawk has been the most sighted bird of prey this week. A flock of 200 golden plover soared over the Visitor Centre this morning and the first report of wheatear on the beach has arrived as I write. Will need to go for a walk after work and see if I can find it.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden