RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 13th - 19th February 2021
Last weekend was the monthly Wetland Bird Survey across the reserves. With a minimum temperature of -3oC recorded every 24 hours over the five days leading up to the survey, it was not surprising that the overall waterbird count was fairly low as the majority of the water was frozen. Even the sandflats were covered in snow and ice! As we headed along the beach towards the high tide wader roost it was terrific to spot a Great Northern Diver flying low – number 100 on the year list.
Frozen Tideline: Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Sunset over the Mersehead Sandflats. Photo credit: Dave Jackson
Although the rest of the reserve was fairly quiet due to the percentage of ice cover, the high tide wader roost was brimming with activity. Ten species were present with 41 Sanderling being a peak count for the winter. As usual, Knot topped the list with 1800 followed by 1450 Dunlin, 380 Golden Plover, 203 Lapwing, 125 Curlew and 34 Grey Plover. Redshank, Ringed Plover and Bar-tailed godwit were recorded as lone birds only. Walking back along the beach a pair of Peregrine started to hunt a small dunlin flock and a Merlin was seen zipping along the sand dunes.
Sanderling picture. Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Where has all the water gone? Photo credit: Dave Jackson
A graveyard of shells revealed what must be a favourite anvil for one of the Mersehead Song Thrushes. Though all of the British thrushes feed on snails, it is only the song thrush which is proficient in cracking open large shells by its method of smashing them against a rock with a quick flick of its head. Snails become an important food source during cold weather in late winter as many of the berries have already been eaten and the frozen ground reduces the availability of earthworms. Did you know that snails hibernate during cold weather by nestling into a warm nook or cranny and cover their open shell mouth with a layer of slime. Their body is mainly water which means the development of ice crystals can be lethal.
Snail Graveyard. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Temperatures have steadily increased over the course of the week with early signs of spring becoming more evident. Male Lapwing have been heard warming up their vocal cords with short bursts of display flight. Winter flocks begin to break up in February with birds returning to their breeding grounds. Keep a lookout for the male lapwings spectacular songflight over the coming weeks as he wobbles, zigzags, rolls and dives whilst calling to advertise his presence to rival males and potential mates. The first leaves of one of our earliest wildflowers, Lesser Celandine, are creeping out of the undergrowth. The purple catkins on this Hazel were stunning in the winter sunlight. A catkin is a cluster of flowers that have no petals. Usually pollinated by the wind, the catkins hang long and thin to maximise their use of the wind.
Lesser Celandine. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Hazel Catkin. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Estate work on the reserve has focused on fence repairs as we start to prepare for the summer grazing season. We are excited to be welcoming a herd of Belted Galloway to Mersehead to help with our conservation grazing this summer.
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.