RSPB Mersehead Blog 17th – 23rd June 2023
Well, it’s been an action-packed week again at Mersehead. Thankfully, the weather has taken a different turn with the cooler temperatures being much more comfortable to work in. Flowers are in full bloom, butterflies abound, Barn Owls are often spotted and ‘dragons’ and ‘damsels’ surround any remaining water. It’s a wonderful time to be on such a special reserve and I’m drinking it all in.
Recently, the volunteers have been fortunate enough to get a peek at how one of the RSPB ecologists, Nicola carries out her investigations into the effect of grazing on the saltmarsh. Carefully transporting a range of equipment e.g. satnav, measuring poles, field guides, this meticulous professional marks out quadrats (2m by 2m squares) in a range of places on the land that is grazed in the summer, notes down all the plant species, measures sward heights and feeds all the information back, to inform the long-term plan for the reserve.
Helping with the ecological survey. Photo credit: Frances Gilgunn
One of the Tuesday Volunteer tasks this week has been to remove the rope/post barrier from around the site of a Ringed Plover nest.
One man and his post. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
The nest was monitored by the staff here at the reserve over a number of weeks, then one day the adult (and chicks??) were gone, leaving very little sign of the nest. We know there were 4 eggs…so hopefully our efforts to make the public aware of this beautiful bird’s ‘patch’ made a difference and the little family are out there!
Another task that’s a big player at this time of year is ragwort removal. Although it’s not everyone’s idea of fun it’s a necessary job, the main aim being to tug it up before it sets seed. It’s important because this notifiable plant is poisonous to livestock. Frances and I set off to do a quick sweep of one of the main Lapwing nesting fields and returned to base with 19 sacks stuffed to the gunnels. Hopefully there’ll be less next year now!!
Frances with a truck full of ragwort. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
One of my favourite pastimes now that Summer’s here, is watching the dragonflies and damselflies. Fortunately, my search for toadlets takes me alongside a wonderful ditch, one of the only areas on the reserve which has retained a substantial amount of water. Earlier this week I was watching a range of species using the area for mating, egg laying and feeding.
Emerald damselfly. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
Great camouflage from the female Emperor. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
Azure damselflies mating. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
The lack of water has continued to be a problem for certain reserve residents, this Belted Galloway was inspecting the height!
A not too impressed Beltie! Photo credit: CJE Farrell
Kaboom! All at once the reserve is dancing with Ringlets, Small Heaths, Skippers (of both the Large and Small varieties) and Meadow Browns. This week’s survey turned up plenty of Common Blues, a couple of Small Tortoiseshell and a very fast ‘white’,so fast in fact that I couldn’t catch it! The one that got away…
Large Skipper on the left, Small Skipper on the right. Photo Credit: CJE Farrell
One plucky Peacock caterpillar was making its wriggly way across the main track, possibly searching for a safe place to pupate.
Peacock butterfly caterpillars. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
One of my very favourite moths is the Map-winged Swift and if you look closely at the design on the wings I’m sure you can see why. It was a brilliant night for the trap on Wednesday/Thursday, warm calm conditions leading to a packed container. After having seen the caterpillars all over the reserve a few weeks ago, I was delighted to see a Garden Tiger moth under one of the egg boxes. What a stunner!
Garden Tiger and Map-winged Swift. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
After a long wait, we are now starting to see the thistles and knapweed coming into flower, a fine feast for a myriad of insects. This low growing Common Restharrow is flowering now down near the sand dunes, a wonderful pink jewel to brighten up anyone’s day. The roots are unusually thick and form a dense network causing tools to become stuck in them in the past, hence the name.
Restharrow. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
Finally, if you do come along to the reserve outside of the ‘core’ hours, particularly in the evening, and hear a blood-curdling shriek…do not be alarmed, it will just be the barn owl on its nightly foray. No gentle ‘twit twoo’ for for this feathered friend!
Claire Farrell, Volunteer
Forest school dates at Mersehead
All dates Saturday 1:30pm-3:30pm, £5 per child.
Email george.hemstock@rspb.org.uk to book or for further information.
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RSPB Mersehead holiday cottages:
At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages- Barnacle and Shelduck. Available dates are currently going quickly, follow the links to book your next holiday.