RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 7th – 13th September 2019
This week at Mersehead we had a BBQ to say thank you to our volunteers for all their hard work. It was a nice chance to get staff and all the volunteers together, as usual with enough burgers and pudding to feed an army.
Volunteer thank you BBQ. Photo credit: D. Jackson
Moth numbers continue to decline with the cool nights. Last night’s minimum temperature reached 7.9°C, and only 5 species where recorded. A Black Rustic made an appearance last night. This striking moth is easy to identify as it is entirely black, with males having white underwings and the underwing of the female is dusky. The Black Rustic signals the change of Summer into Autumn for many moth enthusiasts. Other visitors to the trap included a Large Wainscot, 3 Small Wainscot and a Brown-spot Pinion.
Black Rustic Moth. Photo credit: C. Pollard
The first of the Wetland Bird Survey (or WeBS) was carried out this week over at our land at Kirkconnell. This survey is carried out once a month and gives a count of all the non-breeding wetland birds. There were lots of different species including Lapwing, Red Shank, Greylag Geese, Curlew, Goosander, Pintail, Cormorant, and Grey Heron. We also complete this survey at Mersehead, which will give a good insight into numbers if wetland birds on the reserve.
Views of Criffel hill from the Wetland Bird Survey. Photo Credit: C. Pollard
Sunflowers have started shooting up around the reserve. You can see them on the right-hand side up the path to Bruiach hide. Photo credit: C. Pollard
Butterflies are still fluttering around the reserve with Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Green Veined White, and Speckled Wood.
Painted Lady. Photo credit: C. Pollard
Recent sightings at Mersehead include Grey heron, Pintail, Canada Geese, Greylag geese, Pink-footed Geese all been seen on the wetland. Marsh harrier, Buzzard, Grey Heron, Water Rail, Shoveler and Wigeon were all spotted from Meida hide. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Willow Warbler all seen along the woodland towards Meida hide. Visitors also spotted a Sparrowhawk and Wheatear from Bruiach hide. Visitors reported Stonechat, White Throat, Linnet, Whinchat, Raven, Common Lizard and Roe Deer from Rainbow Lane (the stretch alongside the saltmarsh towards the beach).
‘Arthur’ our donations box resident made an appearance this week, peeking his head out from his luxurious nest. Field mouse. Photo credit: D. Lewis
A fabulous photo of a Grasshopper was taken by our community engagement officer. Photo credit: D. Lewis
The Great British Beach Clean is taking place on Sunday 22nd September from 11am – 3pm. Come along for as long as you would like or spend the whole day helping! We’ll be focusing on removing the plastic from our shores and need your help.
Cheye Pollard
Residential Volunteer