Mersehead Recent Sightings 23rd – 29th September
The water level out on the wetlands has been building up over the last week and we are seeing a significant increase in the number of wildfowl seen from the hides. Three species of goose are present with 92 Canada Geese and 42 Greylag Geese recorded. Pink-footed Goose numbers are continuing to raise with a peak count of 990 recorded so far. No sign yet though, of the barnacle geese. A count from Bruiach Hide earlier in the week found 495 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 11 Pintail and 9 Shoveler directly in front of the hide. Whilst out changing the sluice boards, the entire wetlands was suddenly disturbed and the air was filled with a swirling wave of around 2,000 wildfowl. Some of the wetlands are not visible from the hides so there can be many more ducks present than you realise.
Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
A daily sighting from Meida Hide at the moment is a Kingfisher. A second bird is present at the back of the wetlands looking out from Bruiach Hide. Juvenile Marsh Harrier has been spotted over the reedbed and the distinctive call of Water Rail can be heard. Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard have all been seen from Meida Hide this week too.
Photo credit: Ben Andrews (rspb-images.com)
A flock of 80 Goldfinch are still feeding on the seed heads in the ‘Butterfly Meadow’. Whilst at dusk the resident Barn Owl swoops out from the cattle shed and heads out into the darkness to hunt. A casual walk along the beach found 35 Linnet, 3 Wheatear, 183 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 20 Dunlin, a Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Whinchat has been spotted on autumn passage.
The weekly moth trap this week recorded: Gold Spot, Silver Y, Black Rustic, Large Wainscot, Snout, Large Yellow Underwing, Brown Spot Pinion, 2 Square-spot Rustic and 3 Setaceous Hebrew Character. A corporate work party from Turcan Connell have spent a day this week starting the winter Natterjack Toad habitat work and found 2 natterjack toadlets.
Rowena Flavelle, Mersehead Warden