Mersehead Recent Sightings 17th- 23rd August 2019
Those brave enough to face the wet and windy weather have had some great spots this week. One of the star species this week has been a Spotted Flycatcher, which was seen along the woodland trail towards Meida hide. The Spotted Flycatcher perches in open spaces to get a good view of flying invertebrates to catch. Also spotted along the woodland trail to Meida hide was a Chiff Chaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Kestrel was seen flying around the reserve and the Barn Owl was spotted one evening. Another visitor spotted a Juvenile Robin on the bird table which can be seen from the visitor centre. Robins are very much associated with winter, however they are active all year round. The feeders at the Visitor centre are a hub for garden bird species with daily sightings of species such as Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer.
Preparation work for our winter arrivals has been underway this week. The tractor has been out cutting back (topping) the rush on the wetland to provide the favourable habitat for waders and wildfowl like Barnacle Geese and Wigeon. It is important to keep the rush controlled because otherwise, succession would occur, and we would eventually have a woodland.
Japanese Rose. Photo Credit: C.Pollard
Our weekly volunteers made good progress on the big task of removing Japanese Rose. Along the path to Bruiach hide, the Japanese Rose has taken over the hedgerow. Although it is a beautiful flower, this species is not a native species and can spread very quickly. We have made the decision to remove the Japanese Rose, to allow for native species to fill the gap.
This week’s butterfly count showed there to be plenty of Painted Lady, and several Green-veined Whites and Peacocks on the reserve, however the strong winds and wet weather isn’t particularly favourable to seeing high butterfly numbers. Which also explains the low numbers of bumblebees counted across Mersehead. Red-tailed and White-tailed bumblebees appeared most out of the 13 individuals counted.
The weekly moth trap was out last night and picked up some interesting individuals. The first Sallow of the year appeared, which is expected as it is usually first seen in Autumn. This is a light-coloured moth with speckled brown markings. Many Rosy Rustic and Several Hedge Rustic appeared in the trap. The Square-Spot Rustic were most abundant with 14 individuals appearing. Overall, the count was 15 species and 53 individuals.
The Sallow moth camouflages well into the yellow egg carton. Photo Credit: C.Pollard
Hanging out: Rosy Rustic (bottom) and Hedge Rustic (top). Photo credit: C.Pollard
Get involved at Mersehead by coming to see the Badgers feeding in our garden from the indoor comfort of the Sulwarth Centre at Badger Banquet; We need your help to clean up our shores at Big Beach Clean; Build a super sand castle or be a creature creator and enter our Sand Creature Competition for the month of August.
Residential Volunteer,
Cheye Pollard
cool.