RSPB Mersehead Blog 29th January to 4th February 2022
Recent Sightings
Dinner time. Photo credit: Luke Jones
Bullfinch have been seen across the reserve on numerous occasions over the last week, feeding in the hedgerows. With a lot of windy weather, some Shelduck were seen sheltering from the exposed beach some of the fields adjacent to Rainbow Lane. Some more signs of Spring slowly on its way are the Skylark, which have been seen displaying and singing regularly in the fields once again. It’s also been nice to see two leucistic Barnacle geese on the reserve again, and were both seen from the visitor centre viewing area at the same time this week, as have ducks such as Pintail, Teal and Shoveler. A visitor reported seeing 12 Twite and 20 Brambling along rainbow lane, and a volunteer saw a Greenshank from the Bruaich hide. A Goldcrest has been spotted regularly around the visitor centre and car park. Recently, a Glaucous gull was seen on the beach, which is an uncommon winter visitor from the Arctic.
Glaucous gull at Mersehead last month. Photo credit: Peter Bell
On Thursday the team conducted the Mersehead reserve wetland bird survey, with highlights including 17 Gadwall, 37 Shelduck, 490 Teal and 793 Lapwing. There were good numbers of waders at the high tide roost at West Preston, with 1500 Dunlin, 500 Knot, 75 Sanderling and 140 Grey plover recorded. Although it was a windy day, the clouds did give way on occasion, affording a lovely view of the reserve at high tide from the sand dunes.
High tide from the dunes. Photo credit: Luke Jones.
On Friday this week’s second wetland bird survey was conducted at Kirkconnel Merse, with a mix of weather from windy showers, sunny spells, multiple rainbows and a snow covered Criffel in the background. The 12 Goldeneye were once again seen displaying on the River Nith, as you can see in the Youtube video below. A high count of 469 Wigeon were seen, along with 344 Black-headed gulls, some of which have begun to develop their black head colour ready for the breeding season (although it is actually dark brown!).
Goldeneye ducks displaying. Video credit: Luke Jones.
Residential Volunteering Experience
Some of the first barnies arriving at Mersehead. Photo credit: Luke Jones.
The last 6 months at Mersehead have flown by, and we have both really enjoyed our time here so far and will be sad to leave in the coming weeks! We have both learned so much and gained valuable skills and experience to prepare us for careers in conservation.
Luke’s Highlights
My favourite aspect of the role has been the variety of different surveying and monitoring work that we regularly conduct, especially the bird and moth surveys. Having little prior knowledge of moths, I really enjoyed learning how to identify so many different species from the wardens, and it was surprising to see so many beautiful and colourful moths such as the hawk moths, and others such as the camouflaged Buff-tip and Merveille du Jour moths. During the autumn and winter months we have regularly been taking part in the British Ornithological Trust’s (BTO) Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and barnacle goose surveys both for the reserve and as part of co-ordinated Solway wide counts. This has enabled us to significantly develop our survey and bird identification skills, and we can now confidently conduct solo surveys. The survey work conducted during the next residential volunteer placement period will focus on breeding bird and natterjack toad survey and monitoring work in the Spring and Summer months. There are a variety of habitats across the reserve, which has allowed us to gain experience in different aspects of habitat management work, from the wetland reedbeds to the natterjack breeding pools. This feature makes the reserve interesting, each with different fauna and flora to discover.
High tide wader roost. Photo credit: Luke Jones.
There are some amazing wildlife spectacles to be experienced on the reserve, such as the thousands of barnacle geese flying out to roost on the sandflats at dusk, or the thousands of waders gathering at the high tide roost. One of my favourite wildlife encounters was seeing an otter cross the ice in front of the Meida Hide one cold winter morning, and proceed to roll around at the base of an oak tree right next to the hide.
Otter crossing the ice. Photo credit: Luke Jones
Amy’s Highlights
Throughout the summer I thoroughly enjoyed carrying out the butterfly and bumblebee surveys, observing their vast array of colours and patterns. It was a magical moment being able to witness the arrival of thousands of Barnacle Geese as they completely transformed the reserve. Participating in the Tuesday volunteer work parties has been rewarding work, carrying out a variety of tasks with the team, from removing invasive plant species to giving the polytunnel a new lease of life. However, my favourite work party task has been the beach cleans as it’s incredibly satisfying to help with the goal of eventually restoring the beach to its spotless condition, and there are always some interesting things that wash up along the shore. On a few occasions we have been out thermal imaging around the anti-predator fence, checking for the presence of any badgers and foxes, who may have found their way onto the lapwing breeding grounds we are trying to protect. These surveys have allowed us to see the reserve's wildlife through a different light.
Tortoiseshell butterfly. Photo credit: Luke Jones.
After work, due to living at the heart of the reserve you are never short of things to do. It’s been lovely to be able to take a short walk down to the beach to watch the sunset, viewing the starling murmuration from the Meida hide, stargazing and watching badgers in the Sulwath garden.
Starling murmuration. Photo credit: Amy Blachford
We have both also had the chance to explore further afield in Scotland during our time at Mersehead. We have been able to visit the Isle of Arran, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Galloway Forest Park, the Moffat Hills and some other stunning parts of the country both at weekends and by taking leave that we have been allocated. Even without your own transportation there are some lovely local spots to explore either by foot, bike or using the local buses; Criffel gives amazing views across the Solway from its summit, red squirrels are regularly spotted in the local woods, and there are some beautiful coastal walks in the area.
View of the Isle of Arran from Goatfell summit. Photo credit: Luke Jones.
We have also had the chance to visit the area’s other RSPB reserves while on area work meetings and helping other wardens on occasion. We spent a couple of days at both RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes and at RSPB Wood of Cree, helping clear out and monitor bird nest box usage, removing old tree vole guards and completing some habitat management work.
RSPB Wood of Cree. Photo credit: Luke Jones.
It’s been lovely to work with and get to know all the staff, volunteers, and visitors and we will definitely miss Mersehead! We highly recommend applying to volunteer here as it’s a great way of gaining work experience on such a beautiful reserve, while also contributing to an amazing charity and its important work.
Luke & Amy, Trainee Wardens 2021-2022. Photo credit: Paul Radford
Notices
Holiday Cottages
Planning your 2022 holidays? Discover the breath-taking scenery, wildlife, cultural and history of Dumfries & Galloway whilst staying in one of the Mersehead cosy semi-detached holiday cottages located in the heart of reserve. Enjoy a 10% discount on any remaining weeks throughout January and February at BARNACLE and SHELDUCK.
Residential Volunteering
We are currently advertising for a Residential Volunteer to join the reserve team as a Trainee Warden. With free accommodation provided on the reserve, the work is very varied and will allow you to gain a wealth of experience for pursuing a career in nature conservation. To find out more and apply, follow this link: https://volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunities/24480-residential-on-reserve-more-than-4-weeks-mersehead-2022-01-20
Avian Flu
Positive cases have been confirmed in dead birds at Mersehead nature reserve. Biosecurity measures are in place on the reserve along with signage with further information for visitors to try to help prevent further spread of the disease. Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds, remain vigilant, and report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey to the UK government Defra helpline (03459 33 44 77).
Covid Advice
Please follow our advice on Covid restrictions and updates on our website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/
Thank you
Good luck, Luke.