Mersehead Recent Sightings 17th- 23rd March
After the milder weather we had last week, this week began with a cold snap that resulted in heavy frost. After spawning across the site, there was a chance that the Frog’s breeding season was over before it had ever really begun as spawn can be killed by heavy frosts. Luckily only the spawn at the surface had been lost; the majority under water and in the centre of the clump of spawn was insulated from the cold. The dead spawn on top will break down and usually be a source of food for other creatures. There is no wastage in nature!
Frog spawn. Note the white/grey blobs; this is the spawn lost to frost damage. Photo credit: L.Blakely
On Monday we carried out the Wetland Bird Survey here at Mersehead. Good numbers of Barnacle Geese were feeding at West Preston, the eastern section of the reserve, with a total of 6526 present from an overall total of 6690 across the whole reserve. Two Whooper Swans were seen feeding in front of Bruaich Hide accompanied by 20 Shelduck, 102 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 48 Teal, 7 Mallard, 27 Pintail, 6 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Heron, 18 Curlew and 2 Lapwing. Over at Meida Hide we observed 2 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 26 Wigeon, 55 Teal, 40 Pintail, and 12 Shoveler. Good numbers of waders were seen at our high tide point count, a place where the high tide pushes the birds closer to the shore, affording great views. With a count of 900, Dunlin was the most abundant bird, followed by 112 Oystercatcher, 56 Curlew, 48 Knot, 41 Shelduck,15 Redshank, 14 Ringed Plover and 1 Grey Heron.
Dunlin. Photo credit: Andy Hay
Our Little Egret count peaked this week when 6 birds were seen on Sunday. A pair of Canada Geese were observed setting up home on one of the islands out on the wetlands whilst a male and female Stonechat have been sighted regularly in the scrub as you leave the woodland trail to exit out onto the beach. A Red Kite was spotted flying over the reserve again on Monday, whilst on Wednesday a single Stock Dove flew over the arable fields. On Tuesday, one of our volunteers spotted a Common Lizard in the long grass along Rainbow Lane.
Common Lizard. Photo credit: Robert Conn
Down at the woodland, the leaves of many spring and summer flowers are starting to appear, including Wood Sorrel, Red Campion, Herb Robert, Pink Purslane (here at Mersehead we have the white variety) and Moschatel, the latter even has buds appearing. This plant is often overlooked as the flowers are also green but take a closer look and above the pale green, 3-lobed leaves are small, delicate flowers sat atop a single stalk. The overall impression is of a square, with a flower on each of the four faces. This appearance gives rise to its nickname; Town Hall Clock. If you are visiting the reserve, keep an eye out for this understated little plant along the edges of the path as you walk to Meida Hide.
Moschatel in bud. photo credit: L. Blakely
Lana Blakely, Assistant Warden