RSPB Mersehead Sightings 3rd – 9th June 2023
The majority of early morning surveys have been completed with the fourth and final survey of the reedbed breeding birds completed this week. Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting were all still in full song.
Yellow Flag Iris in the Wetland Mosaic
Keep a look-out for wader chicks in the fields as the adult Lapwing’s move the chicks considerable distances in search of food and water. Our recent productivity survey found 35 fledged, 6 well-feathered, 5 part-grown and 5 new chicks. Fledged birds from the previous survey have already dispersed so our final productivity calculation is based on cumulative results. Out on the sandflats it has been great to see Ringed Plover chicks. Please remain vigilant whilst walking on the beach and respect cordons as birds are still breeding and are easily disturbed.
Fledged Lapwing. Photo credit P. Radford
Both the wetlands and drier grasslands have turned into a kaleidoscope of colour as wildflowers start to bloom. Yellow is the pre-dominant colour in the wetlands with Lesser Spearwort, Meadow Buttercup and Celery-leaved Buttercup all in flower. Both Northern Marsh Orchid and Common Spotted Orchid are dotted throughout.
Northern March Orchid
Common Spotted Orchid
The Belted Galloway herd returned to Mersehead at the end of last week, joining the Aberdeen Angus and Luing herds already onsite. These mighty natural lawn mowers are one of the most effective ways of maintaining grassland habitats, slowing succession and keeping areas open ensuring a wider variety of wildlife can flourish.
Aberdeen Angus
Cows will eat more common and vigorous plant species, wrapping their tongues around vegetation and pulling it out which allows more delicate and less competitive species to grow. Together with trampling the ground, this helps to create a mosaic of different plant heights and micro habitats. We use a system of targeted grazing at Mersehead where the cows graze a particular area for a short period and then are moved on to another area on a rotation. This cycle of grazing allows disturbed areas to be alongside areas that are rested and un-grazed which gives a greater diversity of habitats. The area and timing of grazing is not fixed so will be different each year.
Belted Galloway
Returning to the wildflower theme, come down to Mersehead to see the wildflower meadows! Both are bursting with colour and full of insects and butterflies feeding on the nectar. Some of the species present include Yellow-rattle, Ox-eye Daisy, Creeping Buttercup, White Clover, Red Clover, Black Medic, Common Birds-foot Trefoil, Yarrow and Common Vetch.
Our Natterjack Toad monitoring has now got to the stage of nervous anticipation. The tadpoles have reached the 2-legged stage, a point at which they become less conspicuous as they will often move into the mud at the bottom of the pools to complete metamorphosis into toadlets. For the next few weeks we will be patrolling the edge of the pools expectantly on the look-out for teeny-tiny Natterjack Toads.
2-legged Natterjack tadpole. Photo credit: CJE Farrell
Other notable wildlife sightings at Mersehead this week included:
Rowena Chambers, Mersehead Warden
Forest school dates at Mersehead
All dates Saturday 1:30pm-3:30pm, £5 per child.
Email george.hemstock@rspb.org.uk to book or for further information.
24 June
29 July
26 August
30 September
28 October
25 November
16 December
RSPB Mersehead holiday cottages:
At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages- Barnacle and Shelduck. Available dates are currently going quickly, follow the links to book your next holiday.