Jack is Back

RSPB Mersehead Blog 26^th March – 1^st April 2022

Someone asked me this week what I find the most exciting species I work with. Although Mersehead is full to the brim of amazing species which change with the seasons, there is one which for myself takes the crown, the humble Natterjack toad.

Mersehead is home to three species of amphibian the common frog, common toad and natterjack toad. The Common Frog is the first to emerge from their winter slumber. They are generally a shade of olive-green or brown, with a dark patch known as a mask behind the eyes but colouration is extremely variable: yellow, pink, red, orange and black individuals are often reported.

Picture of common frog sent in by Rosie Bird a few years.

Second to emerge is the Common Toad with their brilliant bronze eyes. The UK’s rarest amphibian and one we are proud to say calls Mersehead home, the Natterjack Toad, is the last to emerge from hibernation. The bright yellow dorsal strip easily identifies this species, their emerald green eyes a stark contrast to the bronze of the common toad.

Natterjack toad (left) & Common toad (right). Photo credit: R. Flavelle

The natterjack toad prefers warmer night air temperatures with peak breeding activity therefore recorded throughout April and May. With temperatures climbing a little higher last Saturday night, we took a circuit around the pools to see what was about. We found representatives from all three amphibians. A total of four natterjack toads were present. All four were small males and I always think of these as the enthusiastic scouts, out to early but too young to know any better! We saw some amazing water spiders skating across the surface of the pool.

Common Frog. Photo credit: G. Chambers

Water Spider sp. Photo credit. G. Chambers

The natterjack toad is a Protected Species and a licence is required to go looking for the toads. Join our Natterjack Night Guided Walks on Friday 22^nd & Saturday 30^th April when you will be able to accompany an experienced member of the Mersehead team to visit the breeding pools and hopefully see these rare amphibians as dusk descends over the reserve. As the Easter holidays are fast approaching we have a number of exciting events running on the reserve including guided walks and an Easter trail throughout the school holidays. After a 2-year freeze on all events we are extremely excited to be able to run a full events program once again and look forward to seeing you. Check out our Events Page for more information.

Natterjack toad. Photo credit: R. Flavelle

The warmer temperatures at the start of the week saw a significant increase in the number of moths recorded as part of the Garden Moth Scheme, a grand total of 113 moths from 11 species. Common species for this time of year were Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, Early Grey, Red Chestnut, Common Quaker and Small Quaker. An unmistakeable and distinctive moth with strongly hooked forewings and a scalloped edge, the Herald gives a splash of colour at this time of year. Yellow Horned Moth has distinctive yellow antennae whereas the unique resting position of the Early Thorn, with wings pressed together over its back easily separates this species from all other thorns.

Clouded Drab, Herald & Early Grey.

Yellow Horned Moth.

Early Thorn.

Our last beach clean for a few months took place this week as we will take a break throughout the breeding season to ensure no species are disturbed. Our dedicated Tuesday volunteer group headed to the extreme eastern boundary of the reserve to clean the only section of the Mersehead beach we have never previously cleaned before. The reason for this was we were unable to get the tractor across a stream however a big thank you goes to our neighbouring farmer who let us know there was access from his land.

Rubbish collected. Photo credit: P. Radford

The work party were closely monitored by 2 Red Kite soaring high above them. Peregrine was spotted and the colourful Stonechat watched from its perch on the dunes. In full breeding finery, the male stonechat has a striking black head with white contrast around the side of the head dropping into a bright orangey-red breast. As its name suggests, the stonechat utters a sharp loud call which sounds like two stones being tapped together. We will be running a beach clean in partnership with the D&G Eco-Warriors on Saturday 17^th September as part of the Great British Beach Clean. Information on how to join us will be posted nearer the time but in the meantime jot it down in your diary!

Stonechat. Photo credit: Leslie Carter (rspb-images.com)

Not one but two Swallows were seen by the beach cleaning team on Tuesday (29^th). Interestingly the first Mersehead swallow in 2021 was recorded on the 1^st April. Another intriguing sighting was 38 Whooper swans out from Bruiach Hide on Wednesday morning (30^th). Last year on 28^th March we recorded 39 whooper swans. Could these be the same herd of swans stopping off on their return migration to their breeding grounds in Iceland? A fly past by 6 Black-tailed Godwits past the hide was great to see, their vivid white wing bars in flight distinguishing them from the similar bar-tailed godwit.

Whooper Swans from Bruiach Hide. Photo credit: R. Flavelle

Mersehead is a great location to watch Brown Hares. On Tuesday this week we spotted some “mad March hare” behaviour in the form of boxing. This is the courtship behaviour of brown hare and includes madcap chases and furious boxing matches. The boxing was commonly thought to be between two males battling over the favour of a female however we now understand that it is more likely to be a female deterring a male’s advances. Although March is the traditional month associated with this behaviour you are just as likely to see it anytime between December and April so find yourself a comfy spot and settle in for some mad hare antics.

Mad March Hares (taken at Mersehead in 2019). Photo credit: D. Jackson

On Wednesday this week, we were out taking part in a Solway-wide count of the Svalbard Barnacle Geese. This survey is completed every month during the winter to monitor the World population of this species. As we are now approaching the time when the geese will leave the shores of the Solway for their breeding grounds, the counts are completed weekly to monitor their gradual departure.

Leucistic barnacle geese (note the difference in pigmentation across the back of the two individual birds). Photo credit: G Chambers

We recorded 5,828 barnacle geese at Mersehead and through the surrounding area to Carsethorn this week. This is down on our last count of 7,339 recorded in February as the barnacle geese will be starting to congregate on the Rockcliffe Marshes near Greta Green readying for their epic migration north. It was fantastic to see two leucistic barnacle together on the Mersehead merse this week.

Rowena Flavelle, Warden

Easter Events

For more information and to book your place go to Mersehead Events (event charges will apply).

Announcements

*Holiday Cottages - Planning your 2022 holidays? Discover the breath-taking scenery, wildlife, cultural and history of Dumfries & Galloway whilst staying in one of the Mersehead cosy semi-detached holiday cottages – Barnacle and Shelduck – located in the heart of reserve.

*Covid Advice - Please follow our advice on Covid restrictions and updates on our website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/

*Flooding - Please note that Mersehead nature reserve is prone to flooding during periods of high rainfall and/or strong winds and tidal surges. To avoid disappointment at these times, please contact the reserve in advance of your visit by email in the first instance at mersehead@rspb.org.uk or check the RSPB Dumfries and Galloway Facebook Page for daily updates.