Mersehead Recent Sightings 31st October - 6th November 2020
The wetlands on reserve are now full, with expected water levels and a bounty of waterfowl on show. Both hides have now been open for a few weeks, to view, enjoy and maybe reflect on this celebration of nature. We do still ask users to follow measures put in place - for everyone’s safety and well-being!
We’ve had a mixed week for weather, from rain to sunshine and mists closing in today but throughout, a great variety in wildlife across the reserve.
Little grebes can be viewed just out in front of Meida Hide and if they call (resembling a squealing piglet), you may hear a water rail in the reedbed. A female marsh harrier and a peregrine falcon have been seen picking off prey from the wetland by a few folks this week too.
Little grebe paddling and hunting in pond. Photo credit: Calum Murray
As the days get shorter, starlings are now gathering in good numbers before dusk, over the reedbed. At least 20,000 can now be viewed massing and weaving through the sky before their funnelled decent into the reeds. To ensure that human ‘gatherings’ are avoided, please respect our new covid-safe measures and follow an alternative route along the farm track to a wider viewing area. In this way, viewers can enjoy the spectacular murmuration at safe distance from others. For comfort, it may also be worth bringing your own camp-chair and adequate layers of clothing, to keep warm and dry.
Early morning is always a good time to get out on both the Wetland and Coastal Trails, for a chance glimpse of kingfishers. One can be seen perching on reeds or branches over water, from Meida Hide. Likewise, it’s worth an early wander down Rainbow Lane (alongside ditch that cuts through to the merse (saltmarsh) toward Southwick Water). At least 9 little egrets were on the reserve, feeding in channels on the merse or shimmying their yellow feet to catch food in pools along the shore.
Kingfisher male atop the water-depth gauge at Meida Hide and little egret flying over sandy shore. Photo credits: Calum Murray
The team was out yesterday, surveying wetlands both at Mersehead and at Kirkconnell Merse. On Mersehead, there was a substantial count of teals (almost 1,500 viewed from both the Bruaich and Meida Hides). Large numbers of pintails were also reported earlier in the week, with well over 800 counted on our wetland ponds. Other species are filling the wetland two, with arrivals of more wigeons, shovelers and mallards. For the sharper eyed, there are small handfuls of both tufted ducks and gadwalls present too (often arriving in the winter season, but in very small numbers).
Teals and other ducks flushed from wetland. Photo credit: Calum Murray
Over 4,500 Svalbard barnacle geese were recorded at Mersehead this week (with another 3,800 counted on Kirkconnell Merse). This year has seen a downturn on productivity, with fewer juvenile geese arriving on the Solway but still worth looking for when you visit. Often, young are seen in their family groups close to the front (advancing) edge of flocks, as they graze in fields. Juveniles have a greyer, less striking plumage (lacking the white tips to covert feathers on their wings, carried over their backs). Though not counted, good numbers of pink-footed geese have been reported in the local area. Both greylags and Canada geese are often seen on the wetland too in lesser numbers (about a hundred or so of each). Small numbers of whooper swans can also be seen flying over or stopping in the wetland.
Family of barnacle geese, with two young birds on tow. Photo credit: Calum Murray
Waders continue to arrive on the Solway. Not only must these migrants race with the tide twice daily but many fly thousands of miles to get here, and need to replenish their energy loss. This has repeated over generations and for good reason. The biomass of cockles, lugworms and other invertebrates provides enough food for thousands of these birds, with at least 2,100 knots, 750 oystercatchers and 700 dunlins counted during the reserve count. These were joined by 140 golden plovers, lesser numbers of redshanks, grey plovers and ringed plovers.
Cockle shore. Remains of shells from millions of molluscs. Photo credit: Calum Murray
Around 140 curlews were recorded across the reserve, probing damp soils for earthworms on the fields and merse while being equally adept at finding lugworms on the sands. Indicative of a wetland, both curlew and lapwing calls can be heard throughout the reserve, as with the cacophony of sounds from calling geese. Over 350 lapwings were counted from the hides, flocking in flappy flights to avoid various birds of prey.
Woodlands are shedding leaves but autumnal colours are still present, especially with oaks and beech trees. The leaf-fall makes it a little easier to search for woodland birds, with both treecreepers and goldcrests evident on tree limbs and in the understorey.
Beeches in autumnal colour. Photo credit: Calum Murray
Attention should be drawn to that other seasonal flurry - fungi. The variety of fruiting bodies, from brackets to caps or cups to fingers and horns makes this life form deserving of an audience, so don’t forget to look!
Various fungi found on the reserve. Photo credit: Calum Murray
Our hanging bird feeders are worth checking for both nuthatches and great spotted woodpeckers, as well as the usual range of titmice. A green woodpecker was heard close-by to the woodland feeders this morning, though didn’t appear to stay.
Male great spotted woodpecker on feeder in the woodland. Photo credit: Calum Murray
Meanwhile, hedgerows along the farm track and Wetland Trail are busy with various songbirds moving around. A family of bullfinches passed the visitor centre briefly and a small flock of long-tailed tits and 8 twites were spotted on the trail down to Bruaich Hide.
A long-tailed titmouse stopping to look while flitting through hedges. Photo credit: Calum Murray
You never know what you may bump into during a walk around this reserve, or what might be watching. At least two weasels have been crossing the farm road between hedges and on occasion, brown hares or some of the dozen or so roe deer may cross your path while out and about.
Roe deer reception. Photo credit: Calum Murray
All in all, a great week for seeing autumn unfold but if this alone doesn't wet your appetite for nature, don't forget to read this week's earlier (extra) blog from budding nature conservationist (and maybe future warden), Emily. To see her excellent blog, click here.
In a time when we all feel a little anxious and unsure of the future, these sights and sounds give us all a chance to escape, ponder and reflect on what is important, if only for a moment. We are continuing to keep the reserve open and prepared as best we can for you to enjoy and unwind. We hope you can continue to visit and stay safe at this time, while following Scottish government Covid19 guidelines. Please keep updated about the re-opening of RSPB reserves and facilities at: Reserve Reboot
Calum Murray, Assistant Warden