Jonathan Taylor has just started a 2 month residential volunteering placement at Mersehead and has volunteered at Loch Lomond and Forsinard Flows.   

Mersehead Recent Sightings 30th July – 5th August

The weather has been very topsy-turvy as we head into August: blazing hot sunshine one day, freezing cold with heavy rain and strong winds the next. None of this has deterred our usual visitors to the bird feeders at the Visitor Centre. The Chaffinch in particular have been braving the elements. The colourful Siskin and Yellowhammer have proven very popular with visitors to the reserve. Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blackbird and a pair of Pheasant have also been common sightings. An opportunistic Wren was spotted heading into the bug hotel for a feast.


Photo credit: J.McDougall

For raptors, Red Kite has been a common sight for visitors driving to the reserve and one was spotted today hunting over the sand dunes. A Kestrel was seen hunting in the field behind the Visitor Centre. A female Hen Harrier was spotted in the fields. Our most exciting sighting was from an eagled eyed birdwatcher that spotted a male Marsh Harrier perched on a fence post from Bruiach hide.

Our visitors walking the Wetland trail have encountered a variety of warblers: sedge warbler, willow warber and chiffchaff. Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Whitethroat and a Great Spotted Woodpecker have been encountered by visitors walking to the Meida hide.

As far as mammals go, Roe Deer and Brown Hare sightings have been frequent. A few evenings ago, a Badger was spotted at the Meida hide. There have been sightings of Stoat and a Red Fox was spotted on the trails.


Photo credit: B.Andrew

On the beach a flock of around fifty Curlew was spotted along with three Cormorant. A solitary Ravenhas continued to perch on the driftwood house, cawing at dusk.  From the butterfly transect this week, it's been a fine time for the whites as small white and green-veined white were abundant throughout the reserve.  Other species encountered include: red admiral, a small tortoiseshell and a meadow brown.

Jonathan Taylor, Residential Volunteer