Mersehead Recent Sightings: 19th-25th October 2019
It has been another exciting week at Mersehead, with a diverse array of sightings reported by visitors and staff. From both Bruaich and Meida Hides hundreds of splashing Teal, ‘peewit’-ing Lapwing, and bathing geese can reliably be seen. Whilst out on the trails, passing Redwing and Fieldfare continue to gorge on the hawthorn berries which laden the hedgerows, and large groups of Linnet dip in and out of the sunflower meadow.
Rather outside the norm however is a sighting of a Richardson’s cackling goose, which was reportedly hiding amongst a large group of Barnacles in the field view-able from the visitor centre! Though not dissimilar in appearance to a Canada goose, Cackling geese are distinctly smaller. It’s certainly worth taking a few moments to scan through any groups of Barnacles for that noticeable chin strap plumage.
Richardson's cackling goose amongst Barnacles. Photo credit: RSPB Mersehead
In a reserve-wide, coordinated count of Barnacle geese, we discovered that the site is now hosting a whopping 8,700 of these hungry migrants. Large groups spend their time feasting on a variety of vegetation, including grass, seeds and roots. A particularly favoured food source is the clover that can be found growing in fields across the site. As a highly nutritious legume, it is ideal for the geese as they build up energy reserves over the winter.
During our ‘Guide in the Hide’ event on Monday, visitors were treated to close-up views of the Barnacle geese. Alongside were good numbers of Greylag and Pink footed. A Grey heron also chose to forage within a few metres of the hide windows, skilfully plucking its dinner from the water.
Greylag goose. Photo credit: Michael Harvey
Other notable mentions include Skylark and Meadow pipit flitting through the winter bird seed fields, Curlew, Great spotted woodpecker, and Kestrel. The latter has been frequently sighted, often either hunting or hotly pursued by disgruntled Crows.
The crisp, clear (on the most part!), Autumnal weather has made for ideal dusk-viewing of the thousands of Starlings murmurating over the reed beds at Meida Hide. Occasionally even joined by a hungry Marsh harrier or two!
Starling murmuration. Photo credit: Eleanor Bentall
The first of our ‘Sunset on the Solway’ events took place this week, with visitors enjoying beautiful sunsets from the dunes, where we had a good view across the reserve to the growing murmuration. Appearances on Thursday included two Whooper swans, Lapwing, and a hard-to-miss Barnacle goose fly-over. A distant group of fifteen Little egret stood out spectacularly in the dwindling light, just as the event came to a close.
Sunset on the Solway. Photo credit: Katie Wells
Not every creature enjoying Mersehead this week has required binoculars to spot… Keep an eye out when walking around the reserve for Common frog hopping through puddles, Field vole scurrying in the hedgerows or Roe deer munching the vegetation. Excitingly, on Saturday two Otter were spotted amongst the rushes from Meida Hide. Otters are well adapted to finding food in aquatic environments, making the shallow pools on the reserve an ideal habitat.
Common frog. Photo credit: Katie Wells
Habitat management carried out on the site this week has included maintenance of the predator fencing, keeping it grass-free and therefore working effectively. Doing so will mean that in the Summer months Badgers are less keen to set up home in areas key for breeding birds.
Elsewhere on the reserve, the inhabitants of one Badger sett have been enjoying our ‘Badger Banquet’ events, with a total of seven making an appearance on Saturday. During the evening, we were also treated to a brief glimpse of a perched Barn owl before it took flight into the night.
With all this about, why not come along for a stroll and see what you spot? We’re excited to hear about your sightings when you visit the reserve, so please do be sure to let us know; a sightings log book can be found on the desk in the visitor centre.
Katie Wells, Mersehead Trainee Warden