Well, it's some thing we are just going to have to get used to. Reason being the last of our Barnacle Geese have now left the Mersehead area, and were last reported massing (about 15,000) further east up the Solway Firth at Rocklifffe Marshes in Cumbria, prior to lifting off and heading to Norway. A truly spectacular sight and sound with their constant chattering and movement , gaining height and changing formation, heading for the western coast of Norway and onto Svarlbad, and their summer breeding grounds.One of natures great migrations.
Some magical moments here at Mersehead during the winter months. One in particular I recall a mother and her two young daughters standing in awe wathching as a skein of a few hundred birds went overhead 'chattering' and 'squabbling' , and as the geese got further into the distance out over the Solway and the noise subsided, a feather floated silently down in front of the children.This was their first encounter with Barnacles, and understandably the mother became quite emotional as she related this to me.
However Nature never stands still. Our assistant -warden Ben is monitoring our first of many Lapwing nests (with eggs) diligently discovered, and not just with his mark-one eye ball but also a cctv ( aka a remote nest cam ). We plan to show highlights at the Visitor Centre - results not guarranteed., but watch this space. Anyone who has seen a baby chick lapwing will know the 'cute' effect is overpowering. However more importantly of course supporting the species and its habitat is our principal and focussed concern.
So without wishing to seem hard hearted or mercenary, although our Barnacles have departed, we have new friends.
So that's it from Mersehead for today - whaurs like us !
Keeley
Great bit of writing Keeley - aka Martin Anderson ( Ben says awewome' ( thnx Ben !! )