Comings and goings

RSPB Mersehead Blog – 26^th August – 1^st September

As warm summer breezes give way to cooler temperatures, more species are beginning to set off on their migratory journeys. There’s still plenty to see at the reserve though, including some nightly entertainment provided by our resident wildlife.

Caught on camera

Our camera traps caught these fellas along one of our tracks – a Roe Deer stopping to strike a pose and a pair of Rabbits showing off some fantastic, synchronized jumps. Apologies for the blurry image, but the Rabbits were super fast – just see for yourself in this short video clip.

Roe Deer roaming and Rabbits cavorting at night. Photo credit: RSPB camera trap images

Other wildlife sightings

One of our visitors reported seeing a Marsh Harrier from our Bruaich Hide on 28^th August. Be on the lookout if you’re walking along the Wetland Trail. These birds of prey can be recognised by their long tail and light flight with wings held in a shallow ‘V’. They begin to leave the UK during September and October, although a growing number (usually the females) are staying all year round.

Marsh Harrier (male) in flight. Photo credit: RSPB images

If you’re walking along our main track toward the Sulwath Centre, take a pause and look up to see House Martins displaying their aerial prowess with long glides and quick changes of direction. Perhaps they’re limbering up and perfecting their moves before making their return to Africa.

You’ll also notice large numbers of very chatty young Starlings perched on the wires. They gather to keep warm, stay safe from predators, and exchange important information. If you’re lucky, earlier in the autumn you might be able to spot small Starling murmurations in the sky. The biggest, most impressive ones happen in winter when they roost in even large numbers.

Birds on a wire – young Starlings. Photo credit: F. Gilgunn

In this week’s butterfly, bee and moth surveys, we spotted a few species of interest directly within our transects.

• Six species of butterfly were identified from the 12 butterflies counted: Common Blue, Tortoiseshell, Large White, Speckled Wood, and a significant number of Red Admirals.
• Several Common Carder Bees were seen, but also Red-Tailed and Buff-Tailed Bumblebees.
• 14 different species of moth were identified among a total of 29 moths caught.

Red Admirals are a migrant species of butterfly that travel to the UK from North Africa and continental Europe. Photo credit: F. Gilgunn

Blooms are still abuzz with these busy wee Common Carder Bees.  Photo credit: F. Gilgunn

We also spotted an immature Dragonfly, a common sight when you're strolling down rainbow lane. This one pictured below was resting among the deep red haw berries adorning a Hawthorn.

An immature Dragonfly blending in among haw berries. Photo credit: C. Farrell

Path maintenance by our volunteers

Thanks to the heavy gravel-lifting done by our trusty crew of volunteers, we were able to fill in some parts of our Coastal Trail that had been weathered down by rain. We also cleared the path edges of the Woodland Trail leading to the Meida Hide which were overgrown by vegetation.

Many hands make much lighter work! We couldn’t do what we do without our dedicated volunteers. Photo credit: F. Gilgunn

A clear path to the Meida Hide. Photo credit: F. Gilgunn

Beach combing

On a walk along the inter-tidal sand flats, I found what at first appeared to be bubble wrap. Oh no, I thought, not more plastic washing up! But a closer look revealed that it was actually egg casings of the carnivorous Common Whelk, the largest sea snail in the UK that can be found along sandy seabeds. Each spongy capsule contains a developing Whelk, with the early ones gaining some serious survival advantage by cannibalising their unhatched siblings.

Egg casings of the Common Whelk (sea snail). Photo credit: F. Gilgunn

Interested in helping us keep our beaches clean? Join us on 24^th September for the Great British Clean. We will be meeting at the Sulwath Centre at 10 a.m. Litter pickers and bags provided.

Frances Gilgunn, Residential volunteer

Notices

RSPB Mersehead is running a full and varied Events Program. We are looking for Volunteers who can help with all our Visitor Engagement Activities, from welcoming people on arrival, to leading events and activities. In a nutshell, we are looking for volunteers who can provide a great visitor experience here on the reserve. If you love nature and working with people as much as we do, then we’d like you to join our team! Please get in touch with us here.

For more information on individual events and to book a place please go to our website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead

Holiday Cottages 

In the winter, RSPB Mersehead is home to internationally important numbers of wildfowl including the Svalbard Barnacle Geese. Book your Mersehead holiday this winter through the cottage links – Barnacle and Shelduck – located in the heart of reserve.