Mersehead Recent Sightings 18th - 24th November
Saturday & Sunday saw the crisp cold weather conditions continue, allowing us to experience stunning atmospheric sunrises. However, as the Gulf Stream began to bring in warmer temperatures overnight on Sunday, along with it came the rain, where we experienced three wet days on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday and approx. 69mm of rainfall. Along with high(ish) tides, it was inevitable that the roadway into the reserve became flooded on Wednesday morning, and no vehicle access was possible for the remainder of the day. Thursday afternoon the sun reappeared, and the temperature began to drop, we woke up on Friday morning to stunning, crisp cold frozen morning, and even a dusting of snow up on the higher surrounding hills.
The fine weather over the weekend, meant there was lots to see, and with high tide being across midday it gave visitors a chance to see the variation of waders, ducks & divers that move up & down with the tide line. Species that were spotted on the water as the tide came in, included shelduck, goosander, red breasted merganser, great crested grebe, common scoter. Running back & forth, being chased up the sands by the incoming tide we are seeing large flocks of dunlin, and along with them other waders such as curlew, golden plover, grey plover, ringed plover, sanderling. At high tide, where Southwick Water meets the Solway Firth at the western fringe of the reserve we are seeing increasingly large numbers of oystercatcher. Interestingly, using data from our reserve counts for the similar dates, we can see the number of oystercatcher wintering here has almost tripled over the last 3 years. On the 13/11/2015 we counted 699, on the 14/11/2016 we counted 1655 and this year on 20/11/2017 we counted 2280. Although as its name suggests, the main diet of the oystercatcher seldom includes oysters. They usually are feeding on bivalves, including cockles & mussels, penetrating the sand & mud with their long orange beak. The longest living oystercatcher in the UK has been recorded at 40yrs. Having been ringed as a chick in 1970, it was re-caught in the same place on the Wash, Lincolnshire in 2010. Incredibly, it had never been recorded being anywhere else other than the place it was first ringed.
Oystercatcher stood in water. Photo Credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Another rather special species which is currently being spotted around the reserve is the kingfisher, although it’s only often a quick glimpse of a flash of blue and orange as they dart back and forth along their territory. Territory is extremely important for kingfishers all year round, the birds start to contest for territory around mid-September, any which are unable to establish a territory with an adequate food supply, especially before the onset of winter, is likely to perish. Kingfishers inhabit slow moving shallow rivers or streams which are clean enough to support an abundant supply of small fish like minnows & sticklebacks. They prefer fish around 23mm in length but can handle anything up to 80mm. Once the bird has located its fish and assessed its depth it dives. As it enters the water, its beak opens, and eyes are closed by its third eyelid. Amazingly the kingfisher is blindfolded as it catches its prey. To survive, a kingfisher has to eat its own body weight every day. Pairing towards the end of February, they lay their first clutch of 6-7 eggs towards the end of March/early April and can have a further 2 broods in quick succession. Chicks will hatch after approximately 20 days incubation, which is shared between the adults. Each chick can eat 12-18 fish a day. Chicks normally leave the nest around 25 days old. The adult birds only feed them for a further 4 days before they chase them out their territory, and start their next brood.
Kingfisher Photo Credit: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
All across the reserve we are continued to be entertained by the barnacle geese, daily starling murmurations (which are now happening between 3.30 & 4.30pm), growing numbers of lapwing displaying their acrobatic skills, and not forgetting all the colourful wildfowl out on the wetlands. The feeders at the visitor centre are increasingly busy, with the addition of siskin being seen on a number of occasions this week, joining the mix of usual suspects. On Wednesday a flock more than 100 golden plover were seen searching for worms amongst the short grass in the fields as you look across from the visitor centre window. The weather forecast is looking good for the week ahead, filling us with anticipation of what we may see….why don’t you join us?
Siskin. Photo Credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Don’t forget you still have chance to book & join us on our next Duck & Goose walk, on Wednesday 6th December. For more information call 01387 780579 or email mersehead@rspb.org.uk or visit our facebook page RSPB Dumfries and Galloway and click on events.
Jon Foot
Residential Volunteer