RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 24th – 30th October 2020
The Autumn colours have been stunning on the clear bright days this week. The hedgerows are brimming with dark red berries which flocks of hungry Redwing and Fieldfare and a smattering of Mistle Thrush have been devouring. Listen out for the high-pitched call of the Goldcrest, as the leaves fall this tiny bird becomes much easier to spot. Chiffchaff was heard along the footpath to Bruiach Hide and 8 Twite were seen here yesterday. A vey high Crossbill was heard passing over the reserve.
Redbank. Photo credit: D.Jackson
When visiting Mersehead, you will see that we have a maximum number of people in the hide at one time. Please adhere to this and be considerate of the amount of time you dwell in the hides on busy days. With a 2.5-mile circular walk there is lots to discover. Splashy pools in the fields are attracting large flocks of Pintail. When they jump into flight, scan through the flock and an array of waterbirds are revealed with the much smaller Teal, whistling Wigeon and the distinctive spatula bill of the Shoveler. This sudden explosion of activity can often indicate the presence of a predator. Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Merlin have all been sighted this week. Up to 27 Whooper Swans and 300+ flocks of Lapwing have been recorded. The new feeding area at the start of the woodland footpath has been providing great views of Nuthatch.
Nuthatch. Photo credit: D.Jackson
I enjoy just sitting in the sand dunes for a couple of hours and watching the tide slowly creep across the sandflats. The movement of water and subsequent flooding of the sandflats pushes all the wading birds together in what is known as a high-tide wader roost. Ten species were present the other day with 2,010 Oystercatcher, 213 Curlew, 95 Redshank, 4 Sanderling, 750 Dunlin, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 560 Knot, 47 Grey Plover, 440 Golden Plover and 140 Ringed Plover counted. It also provides an opportunity to study the gulls; 83 Black-headed Gull, 20 Common Gull, 46 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30 Great Black-backed Gull and 176 Herring Gull were present on this occasion. Initially feeding on the sandflats but content to just sit and float until the tide turns were 133 Shelduck. Out on the horizon a raft of Common Scoter could been seen through the scope and a migrating male Hen Harrier worked its way east along the estuary skimming the waves.
Shelduck. Photo credit: Time Hughes (rspb-images.com)
On Wednesday, we were out contributing to a national wintering population count of the Svalbard Barnacle Geese. With a total of 9,210 counted, this data is submitted to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust who co-ordinate the survey. With all recorders out counting their area at the same time, the aim is to estimate the wintering population on the Solway. Last winter, the population was estimated to be 36,000 which means that around one third of the World population can be seen at Mersehead throughout the winter.
Svalbard Barnacle Geese. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Closer to the ground (and home) as they are growing along the front lawn, autumn is the time to look for Waxcaps. Known as “waxcap grassland fungi” this is a group of fungi for which the UK, particularly Wales and Scotland, is globally important. It is characterised by the colourful waxcaps but includes other species such as coral fungi and earthtongues.
Crimson, Blackening & Snowy Waxcap. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Lawns and cemeteries are great locations to look for waxcaps as the grass needs to be kept short through regular mowing. It is important that all cuttings are removed as these fungi need nutrient poor conditions to survive. Waxcaps are found in a variety of colours and often start doomed before becoming flatter with age. Below is Southern Bracket a common species of Polypore, a family group commonly referred to as the bracket fungus. Southern Bracket causes heart rot where the wood at the centre of the trunk decays, softening and weakening the structure. Initially a parasitic fungus (feeding off live tissue), with age the fungus changes to saprobic (feeding off decaying tissue) as the tree dies.
Southern Bracket: Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Just a reminder, if you are planning to visit the waterfall at Lot’s Wife the footpath is accessed from the Southwick Cliffs Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve. During the spring tides a couple of weeks ago the Coastguard and RNLI were called out 3 times in one week. On big tides the footpath, merse and basically everything will disappear under water! Please only visit the waterfall if you have checked the tide table and know what you are doing.
RNLI to the rescue. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
On a lighter note, as the nights draw in and dusk settles over the reserve, Mersehead is a great place to spot nocturnal wildlife. The Barn Owl has been swooping low along the field edges hunting for small mammals. Earlier this week, I went into the garden to find a Badger on the lawn and heard the territorial “Twoo” of a male Tawny Owl, its silhouette was visible on top of a nearby telegraph pole.
Did you know Mersehead plays host to the RSPB’s only holiday cottages? Book your Mersehead holiday at BARNACLE or SHELDUCK by clicking the links.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden