Mersehead Recent Sightings 9th- 15th December
With night-time temperatures dropping as low as -7oC at the start of the week the wetlands have spent most the week covered in a thick layer of ice, a dusting of snow and glistening cobwebs. From Bruiach Hide, the distinctive call of Wigeon can be heard drifting across the ice. From the deeper pools within the reedbed, great swirling clouds of wildfowl appear in mixed flocks including Shoveler, Pintail, Teal and Mallard. With the ice thawing a little today a Little Grebe has been spotted in front of Meida Hide. Lapwing and Curlew can be seen feeding in the dry grassland fields next to the footpath. Through the woodland, the lack of vegetation is making it easier to spot smaller birds such as Treecreeper and Goldcrest.
Photo by Colin Wilkinson (rspb-images.com)
A flock of 12 Ringed Plover have been on the beach all week and as the tide reaches its highest, a large flock of Golden Plover swirls over the sea. The distinctive call of Raven is often heard from Rainbow Lane. On Wednesday, we were out completing the Barnacle Goose count and recorded 10,367 on the reserve and in the surrounding area.
Photo by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Activity at the two driftwood bird tables have been hectic as birds jostle for food. A great variety of birds have been present with Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great tit, Blue tit, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Blackbird and Brambling all accounted for.
Photo by R.Flavelle
There are three simple things you can do in your own garden to help small birds survive the recent cold weather; provide food, unfrozen water and shelter. In chilly weather birds will appreciate a variety of food, but fatty food will be especially helpful. Unfrozen water for drinking and bathing may be hard for birds to find when there’s been a frost, but with a simple trick you can help to keep a patch of water ice-free. Floating a small ball, such as a ping-pong ball, on the surface of the water; even the lightest breeze will keep it moving and stop an area of the water freezing. You can provide shelter by planting dense hedges such as privet or hawthorn, or allowing ivy or holly to grow: these all provide great cover for birds to roost in.
Rowena Flavelle, Mersehead Warden