The sun has returned!

Mersehead Recent Sightings 6^th-12^th February 2021

Saturday saw the welcome return of the sun! Even early in the day, with snow still on Redbank hill, blue sky spoke of the sun to come this week. And with the water draining from the fields, where ducks have been spoilt for choice for where to feed, the grassland has been filled with 100s of Barnacle Geese. A group of Canada geese were feeding on the grass nearby. After growing so accustomed to the size of Barnacle Geese, these swan-sized birds are an easy spot!

Blue sky and snow. Photo credit: D.Jackson

Canada Geese. Photo credit: B.Taylor

Looking out from the beach, the light of the rising sun cast crepuscular rays over the lakes. These rays indicate the path of sunlight; their boundaries made obvious by the shadows of clouds. Atmospheric water droplets (which are not dense enough to form clouds) scatter the light, creating beams which appear to converge in the sky. In fact, these beams are parallel, and it is only perspective which creates this effect.

Along the shoreline, a group of 20 waders (a mixture of Dunlin and Ringed Plover) twisted and turned above the mudflats before landing and pecking at the mud. Both Snipe and Jack Snipe have also made an appearance.

Fittingly, a rainbow appeared over Rainbow Lane towards the end of the coastal path, where 2 Buzzards were seen swooping low over the Merse.

Rainbow over Rainbow Lane. Photo credit: B.Taylor

A walk around the reserve isn’t complete without watching the action at the woodland birdfeeders. A Nuthatch, a definite favourite spot of mine, and a Great Tit were busy at the peanut feeder while a male and female Chaffinch watched from a nearby perch. The hedgerows have been filled with song by Greenfinches, Dunnocks and Robins.

 Great Tit. Photo credit: B.Taylor

Nuthatch. Photo credit: B.Taylor

Walking through the woodland, I spent some time trying to identify various tree species. Although harder without leaves, the buds provide reliable identification, and my attention was drawn to the scale like leaves covering the buds of a Beech tree.

These buds are indicative of plant dormancy; the adaption of shutting down physical processes for a long period of time. The active-dormant cycle is essential in many plants for survival and growth. In the Autumn, once the leaves have fallen off the trees, scales form around the buds produced at the end of the previous growing season. These scales offer protection throughout the inclement winter weather (which has been relentless in the last few weeks!). During the Winter, the slow plant metabolic rate ensures that the buds don’t grow. In the spring, the buds will develop into leaves or stems once bud dormancy is broken (predominately through exposure to a period of cold weather). Young branches can be aged by counting the scars left behind when the scales fall off.

Seed dormancy works on the same principle, where seeds which have developed and dispersed during the previous growing season will not germinate until the spring (provided certain requirements are met). Often, a period of cold temperatures is required before a seed has the potential to germinate (this phenomenon is called vernalisation). Plants also require sufficient water, oxygen, and consistent suitable temperatures.

Beech Bud with scales. Photo credit. B.Taylor

A Barn Owl was spotted at the edge of the reserve, perched in the trees. 10.30am seemed a little late for hunting. However, given the cold and even snowy weather, Barn Owls will sometimes struggle to find prey at dusk and dawn as voles and mice will spend more time underground eating stored food. Therefore, Barn Owls often change their hunting patterns to coincide with slightly warmer weather with higher prey availability.

This week saw my highest frequency of Roe deer sightings so far, with the groups seen everywhere from the woodland, bounding between fields, to the Sulwarth Garden. On the trail cameras a Roe Deer strolled idly by, displaying the small antlers which bucks start growing in November. At this time of year it is possible to see the hazy, slightly fuzzy coating on the antlers. This furry skin is called ‘velvet’ and is rubbed off by the end of March to reveal ‘clean’ antlers ready for the rutting season.

Roe Deer. Photo credit: P.Radford

Please note that Mersehead is open to visitors but all indoor facilities are closed under Tier-4 rules. This includes the bird hides, Visitor Centre and toilets, with our trails and car park remaining open at present. We will keep you updated on any changes.

Beth Taylor

Residential Volunteer