RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 28th November – 4th December 2020
What a week for changeable weather. The reserve has seen bright sunlight days, the first sleet (not quite snow) and temperatures ranging from minus one to eleven. Monday was the perfect day to head over to RSPB Kirkconnell Merse – at just over 200ha this is one of the largest expanses of saltmarsh in Southern Scotland and holds a good breeding population of Curlew. Best viewed from the village of Glencaple, there is always plenty of activity along the River Nith. It was great to see 22 Goldeneye and although the Great White Egret was not spotted on Monday, keep a look-out along this section of saltmarsh as there is a bird in the area.
Criffel and the mouth of the River Nith. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Today saw us out completing a reserve count of the wetland birds. The high tide roost did not disappoint with 9 species of wader recorded. Knot took the top spot with 1670 recorded followed not far behind by 1150 Dunlin. Also recorded were 520 Golden Plover, 22 Grey Plover, 24 Redshank, 56 Curlew, 435 Lapwing, 375 Oystercatcher and just 1 lone Sanderling. A group of 5 Little Egret were clustered tightly together.
The eastern high tide roost. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
The exceptionally high spring tides last month caused some considerable damage to the sand dunes along the western section of the beach and has thrown up a thick strand line tangled throughout with a depressing assortment of plastic.
I found a crocodile! Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Found over the weekend was a pristine Dairygold butter container and we asked your opinion as to how old it may be. Answers varied from 1960 up to 2000. We can reveal that the use by date was in fact 25th December 1992. Quite often the use by date has worn off so it can be very interesting when they are still visible. We don’t know exactly how long it takes for plastic to break-down but it’s estimated it could take thousands of years.
Dairygold from 1992. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
At first glance some amazing marine creatures can be mistaken for plastic! The internal shell of the Cuttlefish is a gas-filled chamber which allows this cephalopod to control its buoyancy. Sea Potatoes, a species of sea urchin, are commonly found along the Mersehead beach. They are covered in beige spines, which give them a furry appearance, when they die their empty shells can be found washed up on the beach. The damaged sand dunes revealed a surprise in the form of a line of cockle shells running through the centre of the dunes. These may have been deposited by the tide and wind during the last storm surge and have subsequently been buried by the recovering dune system.
Sea Potato & Cuttle bone. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Cockle shells. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
You may have noticed we have been reprofiling one of the ditches close to the main footpath. The shallow gradient will allow wader chicks to safely approach the water’s edge to feed. It was great to see a Grey Wagtail working along the edge of the ditch, a species not often seen at Mersehead. A good week for birds of prey with Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Merlin recorded.
Wader Habitat work. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
The Starling murmuration has continued to be magical with an evening performance most days. There is no better way to enjoy the reserve than staying at one of our holiday cottages. Shelduck and Barnacle provide a home from home and are available to rent through Discover Scotland. There are spaces in the calendar available in the New Year, and if you can travel (please check Scot Gov guidelines for Covid 19 restrictions on Tier’s), what better way to enjoy the wonderful nature that’s present here including front row seats of the starlings from the garden! You can book your Mersehead holiday at BARNACLE or SHELDUCK by clicking the links here.
Murmuration Magic. Photo credit: David Lewis
We hope you can continue to visit and stay safe at this time, whilst following Scottish government Covid19 guidelines. We would like to thank all our visitors for respecting the current restrictions whilst visiting the reserve including the limited number of people in the hide.
Please note that the hides will remain open over the Christmas break but the toilets will be closed from 24th December – 5th January.
Take care and stay safe everyone.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden