RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 27th March – 2nd April 2021
It was fabulous to see 39 Whooper Swans stopping off at Mersehead over the weekend. Wind gusts of 50mph and driving rain, meant the reserve was the perfect location for a feeding break in their migration. Once they leave the shores of Scotland, these swans face the longest sea crossing of any other swan species as they fly 800 miles north over the Atlantic to Iceland.
Whooper swans. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
The low-pressure system and high offshore winds drove the 8.8m tide right across the saltmarsh on Monday, covering parts of Rainbow Lane. Without a safe roost site out on the sandflats the wading birds were pushed into the fields which included 5 Knot and 4 Ringed Plover, species not normally associated with grassland. A new species for the year list was a Black-tailed Godwit.
Saltmarsh inundated. Phot credit: R.Flavelle
Estate work on the reserve has focused on preparing for the arrival of the Belted Galloway herd in June. We have not had “Belties” grazing at Mersehead before and I have to say, I am really rather excited! The herd will be accompanied by Culloch Admiral who was voted the 2020 Galloway Breeders Champion of the World!
Photo credit. G.Johnston
We aim to trial holistic regenerative grazing at Mersehead this summer both with the Galloway and the Aberdeen Angus herd. This technique involves grazing for a short duration at a high density followed by a longer than usual grass recovery phase. This means that we will be dividing some of the large dry grassland fields into smaller units using electrical strip fencing. Research has shown that mob grazing leads to better soil health through increasing the level of organic matter resulting in stronger grass roots and a healthy more diverse pasture for both wildlife and the cattle. This regenerate management of the grassland will directly benefit the internationally important wintering population of Svalbard Barnacle Geese.
When they first arrive the Belties will be in the field behind the car park and we have been busy preparing for their arrival this week. As there was no water supply to this field, we have extended the underground water supply from the trough in an adjacent field. A Linnet serenaded the days work from its perch on the telegraph wire.
Installing the new trough. Photo credit: R.Flavelle/E.Neilson
This also gave us the opportunity to start completing some of the actions highlighted from the winter trough audit. A new base has been installed at one of our older troughs which had started to sink into the ground at one corner causing it to overflow. This can lead to poaching and cross compliance issues, so it was a vital job to be completed before the cattle return to the reserve. The first Mersehead Swallow treated us to a fly past as we were working.
Not the most glamorous of photos but vital estate work completed! Photo credit: R.Flavelle
It has been a busy week for migrants on the reserve. The first to be spotted lurking in the bushes across from the lounge window was a male Blackcap. Later that evening, a walk down onto the beach found a Wheatear. A lone Sand Martin skimming across the garden made the fourth returning migrant of the year. Across the wetlands, the number of hawking sand martins has quickly increased to around fifty. As spring arrives, the numbers of wintering wildfowl are decreasing in number and pairs are starting to form. There are currently 4 pairs of Gadwall which we will be watching with interest. A blast from winter; a Merlin caused a flurry of panicked activity yesterday.
Blackcap & Wheatear. Photo credit: G.Chambers
Keep a look out for the Kestrel displaying and hunting around the farm buildings. Kestrel do not build their own nest and instead take over the disused nests of other “stick” based nesters such as crows, preferably on a ledge.
Kestrel. Photo credit: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
It certainly feels like spring is unfurling with a flourish. Wildflowers are appearing from their winter slumber with the bright yellow stars of Lesser Celandine blanketing the verges, the first Wood Anemone and Moschatel flowers have been spotted along with a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. The Visitor Centre Garden is looking extremely “Eastery” with Daffodils galore. Join in with the Easter Trail by following the coastal trail to locate eight blackboards, each with a short clue to discover what’s around on the reserve in spring.
Visitor Centre Garden. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Mersehead is currently open for walks, fresh air and amazing nature encounters. We hope to be able to open the bird hides, playground and festival hut soon following government guidance. Our two Holiday cottages Barnacle and Shelduck are set to reopen on 26th April – we have limited availability left for the summer so click on the links now to secure a booking.
Happy Easter Everyone!
Rowena Flavelle, Warden