The Good, the Bad and the Eggly!

RSPB Mersehead Blog:   9th - 15th April 2022

Spring moves apace, and the last few days have brought a variety of weather, from sleety woolly-hat conditions, to a very soggy Tuesday, and now brighter, warmer, more settled weather. The residents of Mersehead don’t appear to mind however, the Barnacle geese are making preparations for the trip back to Svalbard, feeding frenetically in the reserve fields and the Natterjacks are returning to their breeding pools, the first spawn of the year was big news on Monday and the males were in full voice last night with over 80 adults spotted.

Natterjack toads in amplexus. Photo credit C.Farrell

There have been some nice surprises during the week, including the Weasel that appeared on the trail camera, making use of the mink monitoring raft:

Weasel

And there was a female Marsh Harrier that graced the site last weekend, floating on outstretched wings, mistress of the air. Although they don’t breed on the site, they often pass through.

Marsh harrier, female in flight Minsmere RSPB reserve, Suffolk. Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)

My weeks are increasingly filled with games of Lapwing spotting, watching them approach the nest scrape and settle down with the characteristic flat back. The pairs are still having to contend with fields full of Barnacles (as am I, trying to spot the lapwing among the geese) and there’s quite a lot of Crow chasing, the lapwings leaping into the air to defend their territory. Sometimes it’s just the head feathers of the bird that can be seen above a tuft of rush…tricky business.

Lapwing amid the daisies. Photo credit : Paul Radford

If you fancy a quiet half hour surrounded by the Mersehead wildlife, pop down to the feeders on the Meida hide path. A handy bench is the perfect spot to settle down and watch the show, all the usual woodland characters are there but a pair of Nuthatches were particularly active this week, constantly visiting the birdy banquet and calling clearly from various trees.

Nuthatch. Photo credit : C.Farrell

You don’t have to look very hard to find the many Badger paths that wind their way through the trees, and if you sit quietly enough you may well see a Roe deer nibbling on some new leaves, or a Brown hare passing through the wood to reach the next field.

Whilst at the visitor centre, I was delighted to see an interesting little insect land on a plant.

Dark-edged bee fly. Photo credit : C.Farrell

After extensive investigation (and realising this wasn’t a previously undiscovered species…), I found out about this furry fella and the sneaky way it raises its young. Bombylius major, to use its scientific name, looks very much like a bumblebee and even buzzes! It’s a great pollinator in early spring, transferring pollen from flower to flower and using its long, straight proboscis to feed on nectar. The larvae of these fabulous flies are nest parasites, targeting solitary bees among other insects, parasitoids to give them their technical name. When laying her eggs, the female bee-fly flicks her eggs in the direction of the solitary bee holes so that the larvae hatch as close as possible, then crawl into the bees’ nest. The fly larva then feeds on the body fluids of the bee larva and, after killing it, hibernates through the winter and exits the burrow in spring. An unwelcome guest indeed!!

Bertie’s Blog

There are still around 7000 Barnacle geese living on the reserve, and although it will be a sad day when the farm fields fall quiet, bereft of the calling barnies, it’ll be good to think that they are off to their breeding grounds to replenish the population. And I’m sure they’ll be back in the Autumn, filling the reserve with their wonderful presence. Bertie's been working hard counting how many geese are still around.

Bertie enjoying a morning counting the geese. Photo credit : C. Farrell

A young naturalist returned from the beach last weekend with this fantastic beetle. A lover of dead wood, there's plenty about near the beach for this insect to enjoy.

Two-banded longhorn beetle. Photo credit : C.Farrell

Come on down to the reserve and see if you can find one for yourself.

Kids, can any of you tell what’s hanging on below this leaf?

 Mystery beetle. Photo credit: C.Farrell

Claire Farrell, Residential Volunteer

Upcoming events

For more information and to book your place go to Mersehead Events (event charges will apply).

Announcements

*Holiday Cottages - Planning your 2022 holidays? Discover the breath-taking scenery, wildlife, cultural and history of Dumfries & Galloway whilst staying in one of the Mersehead cosy semi-detached holiday cottages – Barnacle and Shelduck – located in the heart of reserve.

*Covid Advice - Please follow our advice on Covid restrictions and updates on our website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/

*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.