Mersehead Recent Sightings 29th July – 4th August
Although the rainy and windy weather has kept some of our wildlife cosily hidden for most of the week, this condition has been favourable for the Natterjack’s pools as the water levels have increased giving them more freedom to move from one pool to the other and escape easily from any predators. Therefore, on Wednesday we conducted our regular Natterjack Toad count survey. In comparison to recent survey results it was very interesting to obtain different tadpole stages such as growing, large and two legs in the same pool; in which the latter stage accounted for a 25% of the total findings. Summer is one of the busiest times for the Natterjacks toad’s life; their extended mating period is from April to early summer, hence the ages of their juveniles can vary from one month to three months at the end of the season. This breeding technique ensures they maintain their population numbers even if tadpoles die when pools dry out.
Additionally, Lepidoptera surveys were conducted this week, unfortunately due to weather conditions the diversity and quantity were low in comparison to previous weeks. The butterflies’ species found were Green-veined White, Peacock, Wall Brown, Ringlet and Red Admiral. In contrast to previous surveys the amount of Peacock butterflies sighted has been the highest so far, because its summer brood can be seen from July to September in much larger numbers. An interesting fact of this species’ caterpillars is that they feed on the young leaves of Common Nettle.
Peacock butterfly. Photo credit: B. Fernandez
Moreover, the obtained species in the moth trap were Large yellow underwing, Antler moth, Drinker moth and the Lesser broad bordered yellow underwing. The survey results showed the beautifully diverse patterns of the Large yellow underwing (picture below), their colours vary from blackish brown to reddish brown, however their distinguished black dot near to the leading edge at the tip is unmistakable. This common moth spends its nights feeding on a wide range of herbaceous plants at night while resting during the day. A single moth lays up to 2,000 eggs.
Variability of Large Yellow Underwing moths in the above two photos. Photo credit: B. Fernandez
Some of the bird sightings this week were a water rail at Meida Hide, two Goldcrest in the Sulwath Centre, and thirteen skylarks near the beach at the end of Rainbow lane. The water rail diet is very interesting, this bird mostly feeds on insects and molluscs, but it is very opportunistic, taking even voles and small birds, dead animals, seeds and berries.
Adaica Rodriguez, Residential Volunteer