Mersehead Recent Sightings 25th – 31st March
The week started off with a beautiful warm weekend. The first butterflies, peacocks, were spotted on the wing fluttering over the reedbed. On Monday, we were out completing the last winter reserve count of this season. The wetlands were looking fantastic and recorded 125 wigeon, 472 teal, 17 gadwall, 15 mallard, 45 shoveler, 9 pintail and 8 tufted duck. There were also 2 pairs of goldeneye. Garganey was reported to the Visitor Centre on Monday. Since then it seems to have rained constantly causing the road to the reserve to flood today.
Garganey (Photo Credit: Mike Lane)
The lapwings are in full display mode now and can be seen in the air in force mobbing the corvids and buzzards as they fly past. Out in the main lapwing breeding field we have also seen a flock of around 350 golden plover on a daily basis. They too are starting to come into their breeding plumage.
We have some winter flocks of finches lingering on with 9 linnet, 9 meadow pipit and 7 reed bunting recorded together. In the woodland there was one very lonely looking fieldfare whilst out in front of Meida Hide 7 freshly arrived sand martins have been busy hawking over the water. The latest flower to come into bloom this week is pink purslane along the footpath to Meida Hide.
Golden Plover (Photo Credit: Andy Hay)
Chiffchaffs have been arriving in force and their distinctive song can be heard at all corners of the reserve along with skylarks. Wednesday night, we ventured out into the darkness to see if the natterjack toads had come out of hibernation but we only heard a very brief call from one male. We will be out listening again next week and will let you know as soon as the chorus starts up. If you have not heard the natterjack toad chorus before, why not come along to one of our guided walks on the 6th and 13th May when hopefully will not only hear but see them too.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden