Water Rail Roundup

RSPB Mersehead Blog 11th - 18th April 2025

Water rail outside of Meida hide

Often difficult to see because of it's preference for dense waterside vegetation, the Water rail is a is an opportunistic wader feeding on insects, molluscs, seeds and berries. Wading through the shallows in and around reeds you may catch a glimpse of them appearing at the edges, most likely from Meida hide. To estimate the population in the reedbed area at Mersehead we use tape playback during early morning once in the middle of April. A transect is walked by two groups 20 metres apart stopping at survey points every 100m to play the 'sharming' call made by both female and male water rails, the location of any responding birds is then mapped by the observers. 

Walking the transect in the reedbed listening for water rail calling

This survey revealed 5 individuals in the area; this is about as expected when considering previous years have shown between 5 and 11. Potential contributing factors to these results maybe the marsh harrier in flight at time of survey and the prolonged dry season we've experienced. 

During this morning we saw a male Marsh harrier and House martins while listening to Cettis warbler, Sedge warbler, Common grasshopper warbler.

While all this activity is from within the reedbed visible form Meida hide, I am happy to announce that Bruaich hide roof has been repaired and is now open again!

-Z.Phillips (Residential volunteer)

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

*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.