Mersehead Recent Sightings 27th February - 5th March 2021
Perhaps optimistically, I feel spring is well on its way and with it comes the vast array of calls and displays as different species prepare for the breeding season. The splendour of the dawn chorus and the longer days have been welcomed across the reserve. In the Sulwath Garden, Rooks are gathering in the tops of trees. For the past few weeks, 10 rooks have been seen collecting large twigs and carrying them up to their rookeries for nest building.
Rook carrying twigs. Photo credit: B.Taylor
There is nothing like the song of Skylarks to raise your spirits. During the breeding season these larks rise almost vertically from fields and saltmarsh, hovering at up to 300m and singing for up to an hour. This display is extremely costly for the lark and requires a large amount of energy. Therefore, song flight length is an ‘honest signal’ used by females as an accurate indication of fitness and quality of the displaying male. Other species utilise bright and intricate plumage as an indication of quality, but the extraordinary flight display alone is sufficient for the streaky brown Skylark, and it can therefore remain camouflaged and protected from predators.
Skylark. Photo Credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Barnacle Geese have been busy feeding on the grassland, stocking up for their return to Svalbard next month. 3,551 were counted across the reserve this week.
Barnacle Geese and Roe Deer. Photo credit: C.Murray
As opposed to the life-long pairs formed by swans and geese, most duck species only form pairs for seasonal breeding. Therefore, each year male ducks perform courtship displays, competing against each other for a mate. Ducks start courtship displays on wintering grounds and secure a pair very early compared to many songbirds. The males will defend the territory of the female during the breeding season but once the eggs hatch, they will not aid in the rearing of the young. Although the reasons underpinning the formation of different mating systems are unknown, there are correlations between the length of pair-formation and certain sets of factors. Life-long pairs are generally seen in waterfowl which have larger bodies, longer life expectancy and have fewer young per year.
Because many duck species gather on the same wetland breeding grounds, their displays are distinctive which helps minimise hybridisation (breeding between different species). Teal have been seen throwing their head back in display for a little while now. Tufted duck have a similar, but more rapid ‘head-throw’ behaviour, and 4 have been seen on the wetlands this week.
31 Shelduck were spotted feeding along the mudflats, picking out snails and invertebrates. Although very similar in colouration, the female is slightly smaller. This distinction can be seen when the male and female are close together during courtship displays, where males bob their head and neck in circles.
Shelduck on the mudflats. Photo credit: B.Taylor
The woodland and hedgerows have been busy with birdsong. House Sparrows and Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammer and Song Thrushes have been spotted, along with the familiar ‘teacher, teacher’ call of the Great Tit. 2 Chiffchaff have been seen in the hedgerows. This small warbler catches insects and spiders as it flits between trees and shrubs, singing its song ‘chiff chaff chiff chaff’. Listen out as they start to call in the weeks to come. Although predominantly a summer visitor, spending winter in warmer climates, an increasing number are overwintering in the UK which is thought to be associated with warming temperatures. These warblers nest very near, or directly on the ground surrounded by dense vegetation.
After months of hearing a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on the bark of trees, I was lucky enough to see one this week. A flash of red and the distinctive perch on the trees was a real treat as I strolled through the woodland.
Great Spotted Woodpecker. Photo credit: B.Taylor
A trail camera was set up along rainbow lane this week, facing the entrance to a Badger sett. Bedding (mainly grass and hay) had been strewn outside the entrance, indicating a recent spring clean by the badgers. This clearing keeps the sets clean and, if fresh, is a sure sign of badger activity. In the footage, this badger doesn’t enter the sett so perhaps it doesn’t belong to this one, or it is not ready to go back.
Badger. Video credit: G.Chambers
The Garden Moth Scheme started back up again this week after the winter break. The first of a 36-week citizen science project, this scheme is open to everyone in the UK and Ireland and provides brilliant insight into the world of macro moths. Although some micro-moths have been spotted indoors, a minimum temperature of 3°C proved too chilly for any appearances in the light trap this week.
In return for the cold temperatures, we have been rewarded with some stunning sunsets!
Sunset at Mersehead. Photo credit: B.Taylor
Please note that Mersehead is open to visitors but all indoor facilities are closed under Tier-4 rules. This includes the bird hides, Visitor Centre and toilets, with our trails and car park remaining open at present. We will keep you updated on any changes.
Beth Taylor
Residential Volunteer