Early Monday morning our most famous winter migrants, the barnacle geese, disappeared from Mersehead as they set off on their 2,000 mile migration back to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle. It will be late September before these charismatic wildfowl return to the Solway.
The weather this week has been rather unpredictable. One moment you are striding along in a gentle, pleasant breeze with a warm sun and the next you are diving for cover under a bush as you are suddenly surrounded by freezing hailstones. Despite this, the air remains filled with the sound of song. From Meida Hide, the newly arrived grasshopper warbler can be heard in the reedbed, sedge and reed warblers are singing away and the quieter reed bunting can be heard in the background. Swallows and sand martins are busy zooming over the reeds as they feed on insects. If you look carefully through the reeds you may spot the mute swan sat on its nest. A brood of 5 newly hatched mallard ducklings are bobbing along in front of Meida Hide too, whilst up in the air 2 male lapwings can be seen in their distinctive tumbling display flight.
On Wednesday, the first Constant Effort Ringing survey was conducted by the North Solway Ringing Group who set up their base in Meida Hide. The wind on Wednesday morning meant that it was not the most successful of starts but interestingly they did catch a sedge warbler which they had previously ringed last summer. As you walk back through the woodland pink purslane (which is white at Mersehead) is in full bloom and lines the edge of the footpath on either side. On leaving the woodland on Tuesday this week I was surprised to spot 2 golden plover in full breeding plumage in the field across the track and a skein of 42 very late pink-footed geese.
Photo by Andy Hay
Tuesday night saw the first official natterjack toad survey of 2016 completed. It was a very successful night with 45 toads surveyed within 2 hours. The recording process in quick and easy; on being caught each toad is measured with a cheerfully patterned rular, sexed by checking for a blue patch of skin on the throat (this means it is a male) and photographed. At the end of the 3 surveys, the photographs are analysed to see how many toads were recaptured (through identifying their unique pattern of dorsal warts) as this helps us to estimate the breeding adult population at Mersehead. The photo of ‘number 39’ was taken last year; this toad has been named ‘Dave’ due to the distinctive D pattern his yellow line and wart make. This is the third year in a row that Dave has been surveyed so he is a real veteran!
Have you ever seen a natterjack toad, ever heard a chorus of natterjacks? Now is your chance! This Sunday (8th May) we are holding a Natterjack Night guided walk from 8:30pm-10:30pm. Price: £5 per adult, £2 per child, £3 adult members, £1.50 child members. Car parking charges apply for non members. Please bring a torch and wellingtons and phone 01387 780 579 to secure your place.
Photos by Eric Neilson