Heatwave!

RSPB Mersehead Blog 16th - 22nd July 2022

When summing up the past week at Mersehead, I often find it difficult to find a theme for the week, and instead usually just write about whatever we’ve been up to that week with no link what so ever. However this week that’s not the case, as in the immortal words of Martha Reeves “It feels like a heatwave!” In this case though that’s because Mersehead (much like the rest of the UK) has had to put up unusually high temperatures making things harder for the wildlife, livestock, volunteers and some members of staff (others have spent the week in lovely air conditioned tractors). 

Looking out over the Solway: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

A Heron flying over mersehead: Photo Credit S. Boothman

To be fair, the reason they’ve been in air conditioned tractors is because they have quite literally had to make hay while the sun shines. The good thing about having so many hot dry days is it meant there was enough time to prepare the hay without rushing too much. The weekend was spent turning the freshly cut hay to help dry it out. Then on Tuesday the hay was baled with the help of a local farmer, they managed to get more than 150 bales from one field. Finally, Rowena and Paul have spent the last couple of days moving the bails to the shed where they can stay dry once the typically Scottish weather inevitably returns. Selling the hay goes a long way to help fund the important conservation work we do here at Mersehead.

Hay bales being loaded on to the trailer: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

The trailer loaded with bales ready to go to the shed: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

 Elsewhere on the reserve there has been a lot of moving cattle around. We started by moving our Belted Galloway herd to the wetlands in front of the Bruaich hide. This gives our belties some fresh food and a new area to explore.

Our Belties photographed from the Bruaich hide: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

As for our Aberdeen Angus herd, they were initially moved at the beginning of the week to field that could provide them with shelter from the immense heat. Then later in the week they were moved to the part of the merse adjacent to the shore. This was a big moment as it’s the first time in over 20 years that we have had any cattle out on that field. The hope is that by grazing this area it will encourage ground nesting birds such as Redshank and Curlew to return as they used to nest there in good numbers.

The Aberdeen Angus heading on to the merse: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

 Out on the merse enjoying their new home: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

This week, Mersehead was visited by one of the RSPB ecologists who came to look around our other reserve Kirkconnell. Though I have visited Kirkconnell many times while I’ve been volunteering at Mersehead, it was really interesting to walk around the reserve with someone who has such in depth knowledge of the flora and fauna on the reserve. But Kirkconnell doesn’t have much shade so it was incredibly hot walking along the banks of the Nith. However, it was more than worth the uncomfortably hot weather to see the wildlife that call this beautiful place home. My personal favourite was seeing Crabs scuttling around in the pools on the salt marsh, sadly I’m not a very good photographer so I couldn’t get any pictures of them.

Shedded Crab shells washed up by the high tide at Kirkconnell: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

 Back at Mersehead there have been a few interesting sightings this week. As usual the Barn Owls have been out hunting over the salt marsh while Hares graze in the fields. On Sunday a female Marsh Harrier was seen flying over the visitors centre and a whinchat was also spotted in front of Meida Hide. This week we also spotted Leaf Cutter Bees on one of our gates. These unusual creatures feed their larvae on small discs of cut leaves from a variety of different trees and plants.

A hare grazing in the fading light: Photo Credit: S. Boothman

A leaf cutter bee just outside the visitors center: Photo Credit: C. Murray

 Just before I sat down to right this blog I was out checking on the cattle when a juvenile Pied Wagtail landed on the bonnet of the truck right in front of me, though this certainly isn’t a rare species this is as close as I have ever gotten to one and was a great way to start a Friday morning.

A young pied wagtail helping me count the cows: Photo credit: S. Boothman

Sam Boothman, Trainee Warden.