Mersehead Recent Sightings 25th – 31st January 2020
The focus at Mersehead this week has been the re-development of the footpath through the woodland to Meida Hide. We have widened the path and are currently installing boarding along the sides to define the edge. Practice for the dawn chorus has been evident with Treecreeper, Mistle thrush and Chaffinch heard warming up their vocal cords. A small party of Long-tailed tits have been following each other from tree to tree. Water rail can be heard squealing from the reeds either side of the ramp walkway to Meida Hide. We will be creating sightlines and opening the view towards some of the shallow pools in this area to increase the chance of this elusive species being spotted.
New boarding installed. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
The fortnightly count of all the waterbirds across the reserve took place on Monday. As the high tide covers the estuary, wading birds are forced off the mudflats and congregate in groups. A cold and blustery day made counting the wader roost tricky as you battled to keep the scope still against the force of the wind. A total of 9 species were recorded across the two high tide roosts this week. Oystercatcher numbers were low with just 470; the flock seems to be spending time round at Carsethorn at the moment. A fantastic 173 Curlew were recorded along with 390 Lapwing, 125 Golden plover and 487 Dunlin. Small numbers of Sanderling, Ringed plover, Redshank and Grey plover were sprinkled throughout the flock. The gull roost was represented by 4 species with Black-headed gull, Herring Gull, Common gull and Great Black-backed gull recorded.
View of Mersehead from the western high tide wader roost count point on the cliffs. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Out on the wetlands, some of the ducks have been showing off their unusual courtship displays. Rather than singing like garden birds, wildfowl incorporate some vocalisation with dance. We have spotted both Teal and Tufted duck displaying from Bruiach hide this week. Species recognition places an important role in the complicated courtship of wildfowl as distinctive species-specific displays help to avoid hybridisation. Take a look at teal displaying here, full of head flicks and tail shakes! Panicked activity spread across the wetlands mid-week as a male Hen harrier soared low over the water. Not interested in hunting the wildfowl, he disappeared over the reedbed towards Meida Hide.
Tufted duck. Photo credit: Ben Andrews
There is still time to see the starling murmuration over the reedbed. Numbers are starting to decrease but still gave a dramatic display on Wednesday as they swooped low over Meida Hide before swirling and twisting their way down into the safety and warmth of the reedbed. Two Peregrine have been hunting the starlings and have been seen conserving their energy, perched on tree branches watching the swirling mass. From the beach, a flock of 10 Twite have been spotted feeding on the saltmarsh whilst the resident Barn owl has been out hunting at dusk. At the start of Rainbow Lane, one Gorse bush is full of yellow blooms providing a burst of colour on the last day of January.
Gorse bush. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
It won’t be long until the UK’s rarest amphibian, the Natterjack toad is waking up from its winter slumber. This week we have been preparing for their return by mowing the grass around their breeding pools. The Natterjack is a fussy toad preferring shallow, warm clear pools to spawn, so just before Christmas we gently scrapped the encroaching vegetation out of the pools. A “bowling-green” sward enables the toads to actively hunt their prey and keep a sharp look-out for approaching predators. A water control structure has now been closed and the pools will fill with water over the next few weeks. The Natterjack toad is a European protected species and as such a licence is required to disturb them. Join our Natterjack Night guided walks in May and if the weather is right, we should hopefully see these charismatic toads and hear their amazing chorus.
Natterjack breeding pool. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Discover more of these sightings for yourself as you visit the reserve in the next few weeks. Why not join us on one of our walks with a knowledgeable guide, to learn more? Book onto one of our upcoming guided Winter Discovery Walks (6th and 20th February) or our last winter Sunset on the Solway event (9th February). The popular Badger Banquets return 22nd February, book early to get a space as they’re filling fast. Call 01387 780579 to book.
Rowena Flavelle, Mersehead Warden