Footprints in the Sand

RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 29^th August – 4^th September 2020

September has arrived and signs of autumn are appearing. The nights are noticeably drawing in, the leaves are turning golden and birds are flocking together. In September, we start conducting the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) again after a break during the breeding season. This monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds in the UK aims to assess the size of species populations, determine trends in their numbers and assess the importance of individual sites informing the conservation of species and habitats. Ahead of the first official survey in a couple of weeks, we headed over to RSPB Kirkconnell Merse, one of the largest expanses of saltmarsh in South Scotland. It was great to be back out in the wind counting the birds with a good diversity recorded. Some highlights include 330 Pintail, 302 Redshank, 121 Lapwing, 53 Curlew, 6 Little Egret and 6 Red-breasted Merganser. Other species recorded were Mallard, Wigeon, Shelduck, Greylag, Cormorant and Grey Heron. For the gulls there were 63 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 32 Common Gull, 172 Black-headed Gull and 1 Great Black-backed Gull. The finishing touch to a great afternoon had to be the fly past by an Osprey clutching a fish in its talons.

Criffel. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

Habitat work over the next couple of weeks at Mersehead will focus on the wetlands where we will be cutting the soft rush, creating muddy edges and raising the water levels for the returning wildfowl. Over the summer, the cattle have been doing a great job munching the vegetation down and our dedicated Tuesday Volunteer group made a start on removing some temporary livestock fencing in the wetlands this week. They were accompanied by a sky full of Hirundines as they soared low after insects, feeding up for the long journey south. We saw plenty of Snipe whilst completing the work so keep a look-out for their distinctive shape as they jump into flight. Lapwing are starting to flock together and are feeding across the drier grassland fields to the left of Rainbow Lane.

A neat and tidy reel of wire. Photo credit: P.Radford

The cattle are back out in the dune grassland where they are keeping the grass short as part of our Natterjack toad management. Wednesday turned into a wet and windy day and the cattle seemed to anticipate the oncoming weather as they huddled together under the wind-bent hawthorns. Alfred, the Aberdeen Angus thought the hawthorns were excellent for scratching that pesky itch on the neck! An adult and juvenile Peregrine made their presence high in the sky known as the juvenile was pestering the adult for food emitting a low “keeing” noise.

Preparing for the storm. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

Alfred the Aberdeen Angus. Photo credit: R.Flavelle

Autumn movement is evident across the reserve with large numbers of Wheatear seen along the beach and merse as they head south. The first sighting of Short-eared Owl for the Autumn was recorded as it soared over the sand dunes and landed close to the cattle herd before slowly making its way along the dunes. Our Community Engagement Officer David managed to snap a fantastic photograph of a Whinchat amongst the gorse. There has been a report of Marsh Harrier which we have been unable to confirm but we do expect to see this bird hunting over the reserve during the Autumn.

Whinchat. Photo credit: D. Lewis

Finches and buntings are forming winter flocks - the sunflowers in the wild bird cover strips will be setting seed and providing a fantastic food source for these passerines later in the winter. A Tree Sparrow was seen zooming out from amongst the sunflowers to perch on the edge of the woodland. Migration continues with Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat on the move. Start keeping an ear and eye out for returning migrants such as fieldfare and redwing - although they can start returning to our shores from late August the main arrival generally occurs in mid-late September. A male Bullfinch was spotted diving along the hedgerow made conspicuous by his bold white rump.

Sunflowers. Photo credit: R.Flavellle

Mersehead plays host to the RSPB’s only holiday cottages. With internationally important numbers of wildfowl present on the Solway and 1/3 of the World’s population of Svalbard Barnacle Geese right here on the reserve, there is no better place for a winter holiday! A wide wind-swept beach a short walk away and a cosy log burner on your return. Book your Mersehead holiday at BARNACLE or SHELDUCK by clicking the links. Last week’s guest at Shelduck, Andy Naylor, kindly sent us some stunning photographs of some of the wildlife on the reserve including an Osprey over the sandflats and a Roe Deer with twins. Staying on the reserve you have the great opportunity of making the most of your visit to RSPB Mersehead without having to travel home.

Osprey. Photo credit: Andy Naylor

Roe deer. Photo credit: Andy Naylor

Roe deer. Photo credit: Andy Naylor

Look out for the marquee near the car park (Friday-Sunday) where you will be able to chat to a member of staff to find out more about Mersehead before heading out for a walk. We would love to hear what you have seen so that we can share this information with others so be sure to pop back before you leave. We hope that some of the other facilities will open soon. More information about the re-opening of RSPB reserves nationwide can be found at: Reserve Reboot.

Information Stand. Photo credit: P.Radford

We hope you all continue to stay safe and we look forward to seeing you back at Mersehead. Remember to leave nothing behind but footprints in the sand.

Rowena Flavelle, Warden