Mersehead Recent Sightings 12th December - 18th December 2020
dreich adjective
(Scottish)
depressing, miserable or cold
It turns out there are a lot of Scottish words for describing the weather, and dreich is one that perfectly encapsulates the conditions at Mersehead during a week that has been characterised by perpetual gloom, strong winds, and lots of rain (not always heavy but often persistent).
The week started with four of us braving the conditions to conduct the monthly Wetland Birds Survey across the Mersehead reserve. An impressive 11,844 birds representing 33 species were recorded, including 5,664 Barnacle Geese, 122 Wigeon, 453 Teal, 62 Shoveler, 850 Oystercatcher, 400 Lapwing, 2,570 Knot, 1,052 Dunlin, 44 Snipe, 233 Curlew and 49 Redshank. Other noteworthy sightings included 3 Greenshank on the mouth of the Southwick Water, 3 Jack Snipe, and 3 Red-breasted Merganser. 11 Little Egret were also recorded, and 10 were seen later in the week leaving a roosting site that has been discovered near the entrance to the reserve.
It's behind you! Photo credit: P. Radford
A personal highlight was observing 37 Sanderling, their legs a blur as they scurried backwards and forwards with the incoming and outgoing waves. This almost constant movement may appear to be a waste of energy, but this charismatic little wader is capitalising on the small invertebrates that are momentarily brought to the surface as the waves disturb the sand and shingle. The characteristic clockwork toy running action of the sanderling comes from the fact that, unlike other waders, they have no back toe – you could say they are always on the front foot.
Sanderling. Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
A rare flash of colour, provided by a small flock of Greenfinch, greeted us as we returned from the count through the woodland. These birds would have recently undergone a complete moult, and although the feathers become brighter towards the breeding season, the olive-green and yellow colouration of the male bird looks particularly fresh and bold at present. The finches are definitely the feeder bullies, with the Greenfinch often at the front of the queue – as this video from the Visitor Centre feeders demonstrates. Large mixed flocks of Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch have also been busy muscling in on the woodland feeders. However, it was nice to observe a male Tree Sparrow standing his ground as he took his turn to enjoy the bounty of sunflower seeds.
Greenfinch on woodland feeder. Photo credit: P. Radford
The final volunteer work parties of the year were held this week, and were well attended as always despite the inclement conditions. Conservation charities could not function without their volunteers, who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge – and most importantly enthusiasm – that no other sector can rival. This was demonstrated this week when two of our team went above and beyond – even coming in on Saturday morning – to replace the roof of a shelter in the playground area of the Sulwath Garden. This now means there is one fewer barrier to the playground being reopened when it is deemed safe to do so.
New roof in Sulwath Garden. Photo credit: D. Jackson
The single use plastic bottles collected during last week’s beach clean have now been counted. The majority were drinks bottles – can you guess how many are in the picture below? Totals will be revealed in January.
How many drinks bottles can you see? Photo credit: P. Radford
As 2020 draws to a close, the word dreich may feel appropriate to describe what has been an extremely challenging and unsettling year. However, I was grateful for a few reminders this week that, no matter how bad things may seem, nature finds a way of shining a light through the gloom. Tens of thousands of Starlings performing their equivalent of the worm dance, as they stay low over to avoid the strong winds above the reedbed; 400 Lapwing shimmering in a tight group overhead, whilst keeping an eye on a loan Raven croaking in a field below, and our group of Tuesday volunteers being treated to a rainbow at the end of a wet morning’s work.
Lapwings in flight. Photo credit: P. Radford
Volunteers enjoying a rainbow. Photo credit: P. Radford
Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel that we have been burrowing through since March, we really hope that nature has helped you through this difficult time as much as it has for us all at Mersehead. We really look forward to welcoming many old and new visitors in 2021, and it will be fantastic to be able to enjoy and share this truly amazing place with you all.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The Mersehead trails and car park will be accessible throughout the Christmas period, but please note that the Visitor Centre toilets will be closed from 24th December to (an including) the 4th January.
Paul Radford, Assistant Warden