Waking early, Wandering About and Wafting Tadpoles

RSPB Mersehead Blog 6 – 12 May 2023

It has been a super survey week at Mersehead this week, with the much improved weather being taken advantage of by the team.  It has meant a few very early starts, but when you are rewarded by displaying Curlew and singing Reed Warbler there can’t be any complaints for some mild sleep deprivation.

Busy surveying at Kirkconnell Merse and in the Reedbed. Photo credit: P. Radford

Our regular monitoring of Lapwing nests and Natterjack Toad spawn strings continues to be a key focus, with the lapwing making life difficult by moving their broods away from the nest sites.  However, this is a real bonus for visitors who can enjoy close up views of chicks (some of which are getting quite large) at frequent gaps in the hedge on the approach to the woodland.  We have had two pairs of Oystercatcher nest amongst the lapwing this year, and two chicks hatched from one of these nests in the last few days.  Who knows where they will end up, so keep an eye out for darker balls of fluff.

Whilst the improved weather is good for surveys, it does mean we need to be extra vigilant to ensure, where possible, developing spawn strings and tadpoles are moved to deeper water before they become stranded as the pools dry.  A special tadpole “wafting” kit comprising of a sieve and a jug are always now close at hand.

Checking spawn strings in a quickly drying breeding pool. Photo credit: P. Radford

Tadpole "wafting". Photo credit: P. Radford

The tadpole "wafting" kit. Photo credit: P. Radford

Interesting Lepidoptera sightings of the week included a Painted Lady butterfly on the merse, a Lesser Swallow Prominent moth, and a group of Orange-tip butterflies which appeared to be dozing on some Ragged Robin which had recently flowered in the Wildflower Meadow.  They didn’t move from one night through to the next morning, which presented the perfect opportunity to admire the green patterns on their underwing. 

Lesser Swallow Prominent moth. Photo credit: P. Radford

Orange-tip butterflies on Ragged Robin. Photo credit: CJE Farrell

We are hoping that with repeated cutting and removal of arisings over the summer, the Species Rich Grassland adjacent to the Bruaich Hide path will one day flourish as intended.  This week our volunteers helped towards this end by starting to pull some of the Dock which is dominating the area.  This provided an opportunity to extol the virtues of Yellow Rattle which – not yet in flower – was present in abundance at the near end of the field.  This small flower has the ability to do some of the hard work of creating a flower meadow for us, as it feeds on the nutrients of nearby grasses, supressing their growth and giving more delicate species chance to grow.

Volunteers pulling dock and emergent Yellow Rattle. Photo credit: P. Radford

Many of the hedgerow birds will be busy at their nests at present, but there are still plenty to be seen and heard.  In addition to the regular species most visitors experience at Mersehead, on a recent dusk walk Grasshopper Warbler and Common Whitethroat were in particularly good voice as they attempted to out sing the Song Thrush and Black Birds.  Spotted Flycatcher have also returned following their long migration from Africa, and can be seen and heard on the woodland rides.  Roe Deer, Brown Hare, and one of the pipistrelle species of bat were also enjoyed by event attendees.

Other species spotted this week (both out on the reserve and from the visitor centre bird feeders) include:

• Long-tailed Tit (a pair at the VC feeders)
• Yellowhammer (lots at the VC feeders)
• Sedge Warbler
• Grey Partridge (visitor sighting)
• Stonechat
• White Stork (report in at time of writing)
• Charms of Goldfinch
• Swallows
• House Martins

Paul Radford, Assistant Warden

RSPB Mersehead holiday cottages:

At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages- Barnacle and Shelduck. Available dates are currently going quickly, follow the links to book your next holiday.