Mersehead Recent Sightings 24th December – 6th January
The Christmas break has been varied with high winds, rain and a flooded road followed by some glorious sunny days and hard frosts. The first winter passerine survey of 2017 got off to a great start with 75 linnet, 74 chaffinch, 45 reed bunting, 64 skylark, and 2 tree sparrow recorded within the wild bird cover and stubble habitat. All of this counting was overseen by 5 observant roe deer.
Barnacle goose numbers have remained consistent with 5,270 recorded on Tuesday. Sat just 20 meters from the edge of Rainbow Lane was the leucistic barnacle. Pink-footed geese have been making a noticeable return in the past week with small skeins travelling high over the reserve.
Photo credits: E.Neilson
Male hen harrier has been a regular sighting and a merlin has been spotted. The beach has been busy with redshank, curlew, ringed plover, little egret and shelduck all present in good numbers. Yesterday 6 whooper swans were out on the wetlands and the elusive otter was seen from Media Hide.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden
Happy New Year to all at Mersehead! hope it you all have a great 2017
see my photos on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/maggyn/