The aftermath of Eleanor

^{Mersehead Recent Sightings 1st - 5th January}

A big amount of birds have been congregating around the reserve wetland throughout this week, due to the harsh weather conditions brought by storm Eleanor. There is no doubt the birds needed a safe place to pass the storm after a Guillemot was found dead near the entrance of the Bruaich hide and with the erosion caused in the sand dunes. However, the condition of sand dunes is much better than when they were impacted by the storm of 2014 and we are certain that they will recuperate and create a diverse ecosystem as good as or even better than previous.

Sand dunes on the reserve coastal path. Photo credit: Rowena Flavelle 

Even through rain has prevailed most of the week, the few brave visitors that came to the reserve have experienced nature at its best. Over 450 Lapwings have been flying regularly around the grey sky providing a flash of light, while the starlings’ murmuration have been present most of the afternoons (the best time is around 15:30 to 16:00) and their numbers have increased to approximately 30,000 birds.

Lapwings. Photo credit: Andy Hay

We have conducted the winter passerines survey this week, obtaining 19 Skylarks, 5 House Sparrows, 31 Chaffinches, 24 Greenfinches, 3 Goldfinches, 100 Linnets and 16 Reed Buntings. Another survey executed was the Barnacle goose reserve count, in which we obtained almost 1,600 geese on the reserve, but sighted thousands on nearby farms. Although the foggy conditions on Friday made our Kirkconnell Weltand Birds Survey challenging, it was nice to record 20 Golden eyes swimming around the river Nith.

Other wildlife spotted were Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Treecreeper and Kingfisher in the hedges of the trails, and a female Sparrowhawk has been seen chasing Pintails and Teals from the Bruaich hide. Over 250 Pintails and 20 Red shanks have been feeding on the wetlands. Also, some Roe deers and a Fox have been spotted around the reserve.

Treecreeper. Photo credit: Ben Andrew

On Saturday 13^th of January the “Off Beaten Track” guided walk will take place at Mersehead, from 14:00 until 16:00 hours, come along to experience the reserve in a more in depth way and learn about the amazing conservation work our staff is delivering. For more information call 01387 780579, email mersehead@rspb.org.uk  or visit our facebook page RSPB Dumfries and Galloway and click on events.

Adaica Rodriguez

Residential Volunteer