RSPB Mersehead Blog 27th January – 2nd February 2024
The weather has been a mixed bag this week at Mersehead with rain, wind and blue skies, however, it did stay dry over the weekend for the Big Garden Birdwatch! We had plenty of birds that came to feed on our feeders outside the visitor centre, including Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow and even a few Pheasants!
View of the Sulwath garden. Photo credit: A. Mulraney
I took the opportunity to spend an hour at the viewing window in our visitor centre to note down what birds were present. Here is a list of my sightings below:
Chaffinch
11
Greenfinch
4
Pheasant
5
Yellowhammer
2
Robin
1
Blue Tit
3
Tree Sparrow
15
Blackbird
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Wren
Starling
Collared Dove
It’s very encouraging to see both the Tree Sparrow and Greenfinch present as these birds have suffered a decline in their populations. Greenfinch has seen a more recent decline due to trichomonosis.
Birds feeding on our bird feeders and table. Photo credit: A. Mulraney
The Mersehead birdfeeders were also being live streamed on the RSPB YouTube channel over the weekend for the Big Garden Birdwatch. If you didn’t get a chance to watch the live streams, you can catch up with it via the below links:
Big Garden Birdwatch Live 2024 | Bird Feeders From Across The UK | Saturday - YouTube
Big Garden Birdwatch Live 2024 | Bird Feeders From Across The UK | Sunday (youtube.com)
The results so far for the top 3 birds recorded in the Dumfriesshire area are:
I hope you enjoyed watching the birds over the weekend for the Big Garden Birdwatch and if you haven’t already done so, remember to submit your results by 18th February as every survey counts!
Big Garden Birdwatch (rspb.org.uk)
Recent Sightings
Some of the exciting sightings at Mersehead over the week include the Hen Harrier which has been spotted flying around the Meida hide. The resident Barn owl has been seen soaring through the farmyard at dusk and heard making the distinctive screeching call. Our residential volunteers have also witnessed the amazing spectacle of the Starling murmuration on Wednesday and Thursday evening taking place over the reedbeds towards the Meida hide. Plenty of Shoveler were also spotted swimming around the reedbeds as well as a great number of Lapwing.
Starling murmuration. Photo credit: F. Gilgunn
View of sunset from farmhouse. Photo credit: A. Mulraney
Another unexpected sighting was made by some of the team in our office. Situated on the back of a picture board, enjoying the warmth of the office was a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. The adult butterflies hibernate over winter, usually within a barn, garage or other outbuilding before emerging in March or April. The under wing of the butterfly is a dark brown colour, providing camouflage, whilst the upper side of the wings are a stunning bright orange colour with black and yellow markings. Blue spots or lines also line the edge of the wings.
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on back of board. Photo credit: A. Mulraney
Habitat Management
On Tuesday, we took the opportunity of the clear, dry and calm day for finishing the habitat management work for the Natterjack Toads. This involved the team cutting down a few Conifer trees and the remaining piles of Willow, which was then burned on top of corrugated metal sheets. This was carefully monitored and controlled to ensure safety.
Piles of Willow. Photo credit: A. Mulraney
Burning of Willow and Conifer. Photo credit: A. Mulraney
Is the new year bringing a change of career for you? Residential RSPB volunteering is a great way to start your conservation career. We are looking for an enthusiastic Trainee Visitor Experience Warden to join our small, friendly team here at Mersehead and help with the delivery of our visitor and community experience both on and off the reserve. While learning about aspects of the reserve and local wildlife, as a member of the RSPB Mersehead team you will become fully involved in visitor operations: enthusing and inspiring the public in/around our visitor centre, face-to-face engagement onsite, promoting the reserve offsite, assisting with and running events, managing day volunteers, creating interpretation and maintaining visitor infrastructure.
Alison Mulraney, Residential Volunteer/ Trainee Warden
Upcoming events
For more information on individual events and to book a place, please go to our website:
https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead
Svalbard to the Solway Story Trail
10th – 17th February; Self-guided family event
Badger Banquet Fully Booked
10th February
16th February
Easter’s Egg-Layer Trail
23rd March – 3rd April; Self-guided family event
Put a Spring in your Step Guided Walk Booking Essential
29th March
Easter Badger Feast Booking Essential
30th March
Natterjack Night Guided Walk Booking Essential
19th April
26th April
Lapwings and Larks Guided Walk Booking Essential
4th May
*Flooding - 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