RSPB Mersehead Blog 19th – 25th February 2022
Following hot on the heels of storms Dudley and Eunice, storm Franklin has left Mersehead a little waterlogged. Flooding on the access road forced the reserve to close on Sunday and Monday, and with many of the puddles elsewhere on the reserve yet to subside wellies were definitely a must this week! On the plus side, Barnacle Geese and Curlew have been congregating on the temporary ponds formed by the rain, making them a lot easier to spot from the main track than usual.
Fording the Flood. Photo credit: H. Gaze
Barnacle geese on a flooded field. Photo credit: H. Gaze
Our monthly Wetland Bird Survey was carried out amid the flooding, recording 19 different species. Numbers are down on last month for many species, perhaps due to the ongoing unsettled weather. Most abundant of the waders were the Lapwing with 460 spotted, followed by 101 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank and one visiting Water rail and Snipe. Also sighted were 275 Teal, 91 Wigeon, 37 Pintail, 16 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 11 Shelduck, 4 Mute swan and 2 Canada geese – though sadly the Todd’s Canada goose sighted last week appears to have moved on. Some of the male lapwing have begun their mating displays in the field behind the visitor centre. Keep an eye – and ear – out on the reserve over the coming weeks for the spectacular aerial shows these lovely birds put on.
A Curfew of Curlews. Photo credit: C. Murray
Our Tuesday work party was split in two this week. Due to its proximity to our now very full ditches and natterjack toad ponds, willow work was swapped for beginning to get the bug hunting zone in the Sulwath Garden ready for spring. After a period of neglect during Covid couch grass (Elymus repens) had overgrown much of the area. As gardeners may know, couch grass spreads underground by a network of tough, wiry rhizomes, so it has to be completely dug up to remove it!
The Renovated Bughunting Zone. Photo credit: H. Gaze
During this work one of the volunteers discovered a sleepy common toad that had buried itself in the sandy soil to hibernate ‘til spring – a timely reminder to be careful while getting the garden ready for spring! Safely moved out of the way of rogue spades, this individual should go on to breed here later in the year.
Common Toad Accidentally Awoken. Photo credit: H. Gaze
While not as highly at-risk as natterjacks, since 1985 the ‘common’ toad has declined by as much as 68% in parts of Britain. While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s causing this, increased urbanisation, changing farming practices and an ongoing loss of ponds in the wider landscape are all thought to have contributed.
Holly Gaze, Visitor Experience Assistant
Notices
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.
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 located in the heart of reserve.
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).
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/