Seesawing Between Seasons

RSPB Mersehead Blog 7^th – 13^th September 2024

September Evening At Mersehead. Photo Credit: C Glass

September at Mersehead is a time for taking stock as we slowly move from summer into autumn and prepare for the arrival of wintering waterbirds from the end of the month. Our survey programme will be changing, and focus will turn to habitat management to benefit next year’s breeding birds and Natterjack Toads. We also have a packed programme of volunteering opportunities and events coming up.

But before we launch into that, while looking at the bird table out of our fabulous new windows at the Visitor Centre at the weekend, a question popped into my mind. How many tree sparrows does it take to outweigh a pheasant? 

View from the Visitor Centre. Photo Credit: C Glass

A New Dawn For Our Survey Work

In our blogs over the summer, we have shared tales from our butterfly, bee and moth surveys. While it may have not been the best year for these species, it has still been a joy to see what we have on the reserve.  We’ll be completing our final surveys for butterflies and bees in September and moths in October.  I’ll miss my walks in the sunshine recording butterflies, even if the sunshine has been a bit infrequent this year! 

We’ll soon be launching into a new survey season with the Wetland Bird Survey (WEBS) and the Barnacle Goose Count.  WEBS monitors nonbreeding waterbirds, such as wildfowl and waders, during a core counting season from September to March with sites being surveyed once per month.  The Barnacle Goose Count is a Solway wide co-ordinated count.

Last year the first Svalbard Barnacle Geese sightings on the reserve were recorded on the 27 September so we will be on the look out as we move towards the end of the month.

Barnacle Geese Flying. Photo Credit: D Jackson

Come and Join Us

We have a packed programme of volunteering opportunities and events coming up and it would be great to see you there!

We are delighted to be hosting a volunteer work party with Species on the Edge on Tuesday 17 September to improve the habitat for our Natterjack Toads.  Please join us if you can.  More details are below.

Or if you are free on Saturday 28 September from 10am why not come along the Great British Beach Clean?  We are joining forces with D&G Eco Warriors to take part in the national Great British Beach Clean initiative run by the Marine Conservation Society.  More details are available here.

We are also excited to launch our new programme of events for autumn https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead.

During October we are delighted to be running two events as part of Dumfries & Galloway’s Wild Goose Festival 2024 (https://wildgoosefestival.scot/) .  Join our guide at the 'Goose Roost of Sandflats' events to see the Svalbard Barnacle Geese descending on the reserve to roost or learn more about how we manage the reserve for wildlife by joining an 'Autumn Discovery Walk'.

We are pleased to see the return of our 'Badger Banquets' which provide the opportunity to learn about and see badgers close up from the comfort of the Sulwath Centre.

Last but not least, is our 'Halloween and Weird Geese trail', a self-guided family activity trail is available from 12^th to 27^th October. Why not explore the trail for some spooky creatures and learn about the mystery and magic of our Barnacle Geese and their cousins. Frights are optional!

Come along for a goosey gander!

Carol-Ann Glass, Trainee Warden

Upcoming events: For more information on individual events and to book a place, please go to our website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead

 *Flooding - Please note that Mersehead nature reserve is prone to flooding during periods of high rainfall and/or strong winds and tidal surges. To avoid disappointment at these times, please contact the reserve in advance of your visit by email in the first instance at mersehead@rspb.org.uk or check the RSPB Dumfries and Galloway Facebook Page for daily updates.