Mersehead Recent Sightings from November 25th to December 1st
The weather has been cold throughout the week dropping almost to zero during day time, fortunately it has remained dry and sunny, providing astonishing sunrise and sunset. The Starlings have felt these chill temperatures and their murmuration spectacle has been brief, but with magical dusks. The wetland edges have been frozen since the middle of the week, keeping most of the ducks cosily together at the back of the wetlands.
Sunset from the Visitor Centre. Photo credit: Adaica Rodriguez
The winter passerines survey was conducted this week, obtaining 18 Skylarks, 15 Tree Sparrows, 20 Chaffinches, 20 Greenfinches, 2 Goldfinches, 65 Linnets, 3 Yellowhammers and 15 Reed Buntings. It is relevant to highlight that the number of Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrows have increased a 47% and 80% respectively, in comparison to last week. Moreover, the amount of passerines in the visitor centre feeders has increased tremendously, hence species such as Dunnocks, Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers are more frequent spotted, and a female Brambling has been seen most of the week.
Bramblings have a very interesting gender and age division behaviour during the wintering months, similar to chaffinches, females are inclined to winter further south than males; and young birds tend to winter south further still than adults. Therefore, winter flocks could be congregating due to these migration factors, presumably to decrease their competition for food in winter. Additionally, Bramblings will remain in these areas until the food has run out or is covered with snow, and then they will move south again. It is at this point that they will start to move into gardens.
Brambling in the feeder. Photo credit: Brenda Foot
Another rather unusual sighting during this week, was the Drinker moth caterpillar, feeding occurs mainly during the night, however in daylight they can be occasionally spotted laying on grasses and fence posts, especially at this time of the year. Before hibernating, they need to be around 25mm long, and they will overwinter in low vegetation such as grasses and reed stems. This caterpillar can be recognised by bright orange-golden lines in the abdomen and peculiar patches of dark hair in top of the head and end of the abdomen.
Drinker moth caterpillar in a fence post. Photo credit: Adaica Rodriguez
Other birds spotted around the trails have been Redwing, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Blackbird. As well as a Sparrowhawk around the hedges chasing Fieldfares. Over 100 Lapwings have been sighted flying around the wetlands and feeding in front of Bruaich hide. Also, a Little Egret was spotted flying from the coast towards the wetlands.
You still have a chance to book for our Ducks and Goose walk, on Wednesday 6th December from 11:00 until 13:00 hours. For more information call 01387 780579 or email mersehead@rspb.org.uk or visit our facebook page RSPB Dumfries and Galloway and click on events.
Adaica Rodriguez
Residential Volunteer