RSPB Mersehead Blog 16th – 22nd September 2023
The week began with heavy rain causing the public access road which leads up to the reserve boundary to flood. Our team were quick to respond and made sure visitors were kept safe and informed of what was going on.
Minor Flooding Photo Credit R.Chambers
The resulting weather did bring vital benefits to the reserve, compartments which have been dry all summer transformed back into wetland habitat. This brought the return of our first wintering ducks which are now viewable from inside the Media hide.
View From Media Hide Photo Credit R.Chambers
Inside the Bruiach hide Greylag and Pink-footed geese started to arrive and could be seen close by along with two Mute swans. The Pink-footed geese have been around all week and can be seen frequenting on the beach as well as the reserve with an estimated 3,000 in total.
View From Bruiach Hide Photo Credit C.Murray
Our work party volunteers were hard at work taking down fencing and coppicing Willow. The warden team were busy topping wetland grassland in preparation for the Barnacle geese arriving which won’t be long. Topping helps control certain plant species by cutting off their growing tips and the seed heads to prevent spread. We do this to ensure the grasslands are kept in an idea condition to help support the 8,000+ Barnacle geese than will arrive from October and call Mersehead their home this winter.
Our weekly moth survey brought some interesting results. The moth of the week award goes to the Lunar Underwing, which made its first appearance of the year in the Mersehead trap. As you can see from the photo, it can be quite variable in colour and size, but the clear veining and central 'crescent moon' marking are diagnostic features. This moth is on the wing from late August to mid. October and the larva feed on grasses including Annual Meadow-grass and Yorkshire fog.
Lunar Underwing Photo Credit P.Radford
The Lunar Underwing was joined this week by a variety of other species including Rosy Rustic, the stunning Black Rustic, Smoky and Small Wainscot, Red-line Quaker, Pink-Barred Sallow and Snout.
Black Rustic Photo Credit F.Gilgunn
This Sunday we are hosting a beach clean in partnership with D & G Eco Warriors as part of the Great British Beach Clean. We are meeting at 10am and anyone is welcome to come along and help clear the beach with us. Litter pickers and bags will be provided but please dress weather dependent.
Photo Credit D&G Eco Warriors
George Hemstock Community Engagement Officer
Did you know that Mersehead is the only RSPB reserve with self-catering holiday cottages? Barnacle geese from the bedroom window . . tree sparrow on the bird table . . thousands of wintering wildfowl . . a cosy log burner . . . If this sounds like a great winter holiday, find out more about BARNACLE and SHELDUCK as we have limited availability between now and Christmas.