RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 10th – 16th April 2021
Often, by this time of the year, survey season could be well underway with most of the week spent surveying a mixture of insects, birds and reptiles. However, the cold temperatures and inclement conditions have put these surveys on hold. The Water Rail survey is thankfully less dependent on warmer weather, and on Wednesday morning we headed out to the reedbed to map the territories of these secretive wetland birds. Walking 20 metres apart, a recording of the distinctive ‘sharming’ call is played on a speaker, and the location and behaviour of responses are mapped. Although Water Rail are rarely seen within the dense reed, the sharming call is hard to miss, consisting of a series of grunts and pig-like squeals. An exciting 7 territories were identified; a strong number for a reedbed of this size.
Water rail. Photo credit: Graham Goodall (rspb-images.com)
As a transitional habitat between water and land, reedbeds are an important habitat for a variety of birds of conservation concern, as well as non-avian species. The densely spaced, upright and hollow shoots are connected via underground modified stems (rhizomes and stolons) which can extend up to 1.5m underground. Despite the uniform look of the reedbed, this environment provides a wealth of habitats, harbouring numerous species. The litter layer created by broken and dead shoots is an ideal habitat for invertebrate communities, and the predators which rely on these. The pools and channels within the reed provide Otters with excellent refuge sites and prey in the form of amphibians and fish. Teal and Shoveler, seen dabbling and surface feeding respectively, benefit from feeding on weeds and invertebrates in shallow, muddy pools within the reed.
Reedbeds in the morning sun. Photo credit: B.Taylor
Whilst surveying Water Rail, we were treated to the song of the Reed bunting. As its name suggests, these buntings are heavily reliant on healthy reed beds, feeding on weed seeds and invertebrates, and the females building their nests in the dense, low vegetation from grass, moss and reed. Sand Martins can also be found enjoying the morning sun. This welcome summer migrant uses reedbeds to roost and gather in groups to feed on the wing, speeding low over the wetlands.
Reed Bunting. Photo credit: B.Taylor
Sand martin. Photo credit: B.Taylor
A small flock of Meadow Pipits were feeding by the water on insects and flies. This valuable time and energy spent feeding often goes towards raising a ‘parasitic’ cuckoo chick, as Meadow Pipits are commonly usurped by the cuckolding Cuckoo which lay one egg in the pipit nest. When this chick hatches, it pushes the pipit eggs out of the nest and receives full attention from its ‘foster parents’.
Lapwing monitoring has continued this week. As explained in last week’s blog, this is focussed on observing their complex behaviours, and identifying nest sites. Once chicks start to hatch in early May, their progress will be closely monitored to give an indication of population. As we watched a Lapwing in its territorial display, the distinctive large, black shape of a Cormorant caught our eye as it flew overhead.
We were very excited to spot an Oystercatcher sitting on its nest. Although usually such a distinctive wader, their nests are surprisingly surreptitious; a lift or turn of the head displaying their distinctive orange bill is a reassuring sight!
Whilst scanning the adjacent field, a male Wheatear popped up from behind a clump of grass, running and hopping along the ground. This summer migrant arrives in the UK from March and, like Lapwing, nests on the ground, with chicks hatching from late May. The sound of around 400 Golden Plover wings beating overhead alerted us to their mesmerising display, their golden summer plumage on display in the sunlight. Now also in their summer plumage, look out for Black Headed Gulls across the reserve.
Black headed Gull. Photo credit: B.Taylor
Thankfully, it is not time quite yet to say goodbye to the Barnacle Geese, and the weekly count saw a total of almost 5,000 across the reserve. The geese will begin their journey back to Svalbard for breeding by the end of the month, but until then we can enjoy the sight and sounds of mass flocks moving about the reserve.
Barnacle Geese battling the elements. Photo credit: B.Taylor
Barnacle Geese at sunset. Photo credit: B.Taylor
Look out for Roe Deer with freshly clean antlers. Now that the antlers which they started growing in November are fully grown, the protective velvet layer has been rubbed off.
The results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird watch saw the House Sparrow at top spot again, for the 18th year running! This year’s count was the largest ever, with over 17million birds identified.
House sparrow. Photo credit. B.Taylor
Mersehead is currently open for walks, fresh air and amazing nature encounters. We hope to be able to open the bird hides, playground and festival hut soon following government guidance. Our two Holiday cottages Barnacle and Shelduck are set to reopen on 26th April – we have limited availability left for the summer so click on the links now to secure a booking.
Beth Taylor, Residential volunteer