Chicken of the Woods

RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 26^th September – 2^nd October 2020

What an amazing start to the day! Early morning mist and a slight frost cloaked the wetlands. The high-pitched peep of a Kingfisher revealed its presence as it zoomed into view and perched on a log. Wigeon could be heard whistling on the newly flooded wetland habitats which were also teeming with Mallard, Teal and Shoveler. A small group of Pintail were seen in flight whilst 300 Lapwing kept jumping into the air and swirling around. Their restlessness soon became apparent as a Marsh Harrier came into view and managed to catch what appeared to be a teal! After a good morning feast, the marsh harrier flew over the reedbed as a Buzzard moved in to examine the carcass. Water Rail could be heard squealing from the reeds throughout. As the dawn became brighter, around 500 Starlings left their roost in the depths of the reeds.

Early Morning Mist: Photo credit: R.Flavelle

The Barnacle Geese arrived back at Mersehead on Saturday when 50 where seen feeding on the wetlands through the morning mist. This is just one day later than last year! One of these birds included a satellite tagged goose which was recorded leaving Svalbard on the 23^rd and so completed the 2,000-mile migration in just three days. Pink-footed goose migration has been evident with a peak count of at least 5,000 stopping off on the reserve as they head further south.

Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

Cold, dew-heavy mornings have turned into glorious warm sunny days with butterflies on the wing. Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady have all been seen this week. The cold night air however led to a zero catch in the moth trap. At the start of the week, Swallows could still be seen hawking across the grassland for insects but now as we reach the end of the week, they seem to have disappeared and have been replaced on the telegraph wires by noisy Starlings. The last few years have seen a good starling murmuration of around 40,000 birds which we hope will return to the reserve later in the winter.

Form a Line. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

Bright, bold and soft to the touch, Chicken of the Woods is a common bracket fungus species in the UK. It grows mainly on oak tree trunks but can also be seen on the trunks of yew, cherry, sweet chestnut and willow from late spring to autumn. With the leaves turning and falling it is easier to spot the small female catkins of the Alder which stay on the tree all year round. The wood of this tough tree doesn’t rot when waterlogged, instead turning stronger and harder.

Chicken of the Woods. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

Alder Catkins. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

One of our regular reserve visitors took this fantastic photograph of a Robin on the reserve. Their autumn song can be heard from the hedgerow. Only for a short period in late summer while they are moulting and inconspicuous, do robins stop singing. The autumn and spring songs are distinctly different. The autumn song is more subdued and melancholy in its tone, while the spring song is powerful, confident and upbeat. The spring song can start as early as mid-December, reaching full force in the spring.

Robin. Photo credit: Mark Chambers

Mersehead plays host to the RSPB’s only holiday cottages. With internationally important numbers of wildfowl present on the Solway and 1/3 of the World’s population of Svalbard Barnacle Geese right here on the reserve, there is no better place for a winter holiday! A wide wind-swept beach a short walk away and a cosy log burner on your return. Book your Mersehead holiday at BARNACLE or SHELDUCK by clicking the links.

Rowena Flavelle, Warden