RSPB Mersehead Blog: 20th – 26th November 2021
The Sun has been the biggest star at Mersehead this week, thanks to its contribution to creating some awe-inspiring sunsets and sunrises. Red and orange patterns have filled the sky, with a hue of yellowy-blue light melting into the horizon. It is no coincidence that, for most of the week, the weather has been fine and bright, as the red sky can be associated with high pressure trapping small particles in the atmosphere, through which blue light is scattered, leaving the red light to reach us grateful observers. In the hours of darkness, with hardly any light pollution and clear skies, the Sun has passed on the baton to the rest of the stars of the Milky Way to dazzle and amaze, whilst still played its part by illuminating a full and then gradually waning Moon.
November sunrise. Photo credit: P. Radford
November sunset. Photo credit: P. Radford
On Monday we completed a count of waders and wildfowl currently wintering at Mersehead, with over 3,200 Barnacle Geese providing the wow factor (and causing headaches for the counters) as they rose, circled and settled again as one enormous skein. The wildfowl assemblage on the wetlands is still looking healthy, comprising on this occasion of 192 Wigeon, 571 Teal, 104 Pintail, 158 Shoveler and 10 Mallard. They were joined by 320 Lapwing, who preferred to stay inland whilst 1,700 Knot, 2,000 Dunlin, 55 Oystercatcher, 325 Curlew and a season high 95 Cormorant shuffled up the beach with the incoming tide. Further out in the Solway, 850 Common Scoter were spotted rafting on the calm waters. This dark coloured duck gathers in winter flocks at traditional sites to moult and form pairs for the following breeding season. Unfortunately, they were too far away to tell if there was any flirting, but with such a large flock surely the chance of finding a suitable match must be high. A worthy mention (although not counted for the survey), was a close encounter with a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier, which was disturbed from a small patch of reed along the shoreline and headed along the sand dunes towards the merse.
Male (background) and female Common Scoter. Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Now for a question: How do you turn carrots into a reedbed, and reed into carrots? There is no need to pick up the phone and dial Gardner’s Question Time, as the answer lies just across from the Sulwath Garden – an enormous polytunnel! This is where the reed was grown to create the 7ha bed that can be enjoyed from the Meida Hide, and replaces a view that would have once been dominated by the green sprouting shoots of thousands of carrots. The decline of bittern to just 11 booming males by 1997 was a key conservation focus for the RSPB, with reedbed creation and restoration being the key objective for reversing the fortunes of this charismatic and elusive bird. Vast reedbeds at a number of sites including Leighton Moss in Lancashire, and Lakenheath in Suffolk are a tribute to the skills, expertise and vision that have seen the number of booming males increase to over 80 in the UK. Whilst the reedbed at Mersehead is only a fraction of the size required to support bittern, it has provided a regular home for over 20 pairs of locally rare breeding Reed Warbler, who share this small hamlet with reed bunting, sedge warbler, and water rail. At this time of year, its key function is providing a roost for the tens of thousands of starlings who dazzle onlookers with their winter mumurations.
Starlings mumurating over Mersehead reedbed - January 2020. Photo credit: P. Radford
With its original function fulfilled, the polytunnel enjoyed a renaissance as a strawberry production house, until in more recent years being overrun by brambles. However, the Mersehead team are determined this winter to see it achieve its full potential as the perfect space in which to grow a whole host of plants and delicious fruit and veg. Members of the team were busy this week completing the clearance of brambles and other vegetation from above the existing membrane, so that this could be rolled out of the way. This has enabled the small digger to get in and dig out the bramble roots, to reduce regrowth. This will get us back to a blank canvas, from which to start planning and designing how to make best use of this valuable resource, both for onsite staff and volunteers, and other interested local individuals and groups. Keep reading the blog for further updates as the project progresses.
Work to restore the polytunnel is well underway. Photo credit: P. Radford
Thursday saw us head to Kirkconnell, in glorious sunshine, to inspect some recent work to upgrade the fencing and install cattle bridges. This will enable far more of the salt marsh to be grazed, which in turn will improve this vital habitat for breeding curlew, redshank and oystercatcher. In particular, Curlew and Redshank seemed keen to remind us of their presence, as they circled and called overhead. We were also treated to another huge, mumuration-like skein of geese, this time pink-footed, with some choosing to stop off on the merse whilst the rest continued over towards Criffel. It is always a real privilege to spend time on Kirkconnell Merse, with the opportunity to experience a feeling of remoteness and isolation. However, a glance across the River Nith to Glencaple provides reassurance that civilisation is never too far away.
A bridge over Kirkconnell creek. Photo credit: P. Radford
Paul Radford, Assistant Warden.
Reserve announcements
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.
Covid advice
Please follow our advice on Covid restrictions and updates on our website:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/
Festive opening times:
From 23 December - 4 January the visitor centre (including toilets) will be closed at this reserve. The carpark, hides and trails will remain open with the exception of the dates below.