Moths are great indicators of biodiversity and can tell us a lot about changes in the environment. The Garden Moth Scheme is a citizen science project open to anyone interested in recording moths regularly in their garden, anywhere in the UK and Ireland. With temperatures dropping to -5oC this week we were not expecting to many moths to be recorded and were pleased to see a Hebrew Character, Oak Beauty and 2 Early Grey. You do not need expensive equipment to explore the amazing world of moths in your garden - check out these great ideas from Winterwatch and discover pink elephants, emeralds and tigers hiding in your garden at night.
Oak Beauty. Photo by R.Flavelle
Early Grey. Photo by R.Flavelle
As night descends across the reserve the Mersehead access road has seen a high volume of traffic in the form of Common Toads. Common Toads are very particular about where they breed and often migrate back to their ancestral breeding ponds each year. They follow the same route, regardless of what gets in their way, which leads to them meeting dangerous obstacles such as roads. We counted over 20 on the Mersehead road last night.
Common Toad. Photo by R.Flavelle
As night-time temperatures start to increase, we will be on the look-out for the first signs that our Natterjack toads have emerged from their winter slumber. We are delighted that our popular Natterjack Night Guided Walk will finally be able to return this spring. As part of the walk you will be able to visit the breeding pools of these rare toads and hopefully hear the amazing croaking chorus. As Natterjack toads are a protected species this is the only opportunity visitors have to see these toads on the reserve in the company of an experienced licence holder. Places are going quickly so book your ticket today - https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead
Natterjack Toad. Photo by R.Flavelle
Spring continues to unfurl around us with the tiny Goldcrest’s song coming from the depths of the hedgerow and the distinctive “little bit of bread and no cheese” song of the Yellowhammer. Great Spotted Woodpecker has been heard drumming whilst our winter visitors linger on. Quietly fuelling up for their 2,000-mile migration back to Svalbard, hundreds of Barnacle geese suddenly erupted into the sky earlier this week as a Red Kite soared over the field. Whooper Swans have been dropping into the wetlands to refuel on their migration, with 5 seen today.
Red Kite. Photo by R.Flavelle
Plastic accumulating in our oceans and on our beaches has become a global crisis. We work hard at Mersehead to try and keep over 700ha of wildlife-rich coastal and intertidal habitat including sand dunes, dune grasslands, mudflats and saltmarsh, home to important populations of species such as breeding Natterjack toads and wintering Svalbard Barnacle geese, as clear as possible from marine plastics.
Our dedicated Tuesday volunteer group filled a trailer load of rubbish from a 500m stretch of the beach this week. The majority of this was collected from the sand dunes where rubbish is blown by the wind, before becoming trapped and buried.
Photo by P.Radford
Rowena Flavelle, Warden
Reserve Notices:
Holiday Cottages
Planning your 2022 holidays? Discover the breath-taking scenery, wildlife, cultural and history of Dumfries & Galloway whilst staying in one of the Mersehead cosy semi-detached holiday cottages – Barnacle and Shelduck – located in the heart of reserve.
Covid Advice
Please follow our advice on Covid restrictions and updates on our website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/
Flooding
Please note that Mersehead nature reserve is prone to flooding during periods of high rainfall and/or strong winds and tidal surges. To avoid disappointment at these times, please contact the reserve in advance of your visit by email in the first instance at mersehead@rspb.org.uk or check the RSPB Dumfries and Galloway Facebook Page for daily updates.
Avian Flu
Positive cases have been confirmed in dead birds at Mersehead nature reserve. Biosecurity measures are in place on the reserve along with signage with further information for visitors to try to help prevent further spread of the disease. Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds, remain vigilant, and report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey to the UK government Defra helpline (03459 33 44 77).