Happy New Year

Mersehead Recent Sightings 24^th December – 6^th 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