RSPB Mersehead Blog – 12th January – 19th January 2024
What a wonderful start to 2024 we have had at Mersehead! Our year began with an impressive 65 species long bird list (see last week’s blog), and this week we were fortunate enough to have a very special visitor, Waxwing. Drier, milder weather in the last week has meant reserve staff, volunteers and visitors alike have been able to enjoy the spectacle of our wintering wildfowl and wildlife against the backdrop of some spectacular views and sunsets on the reserve.
Barnacle Geese in flight at sunset over Mersehead. Photo Credit Nick Bone.
View across Mersehead Reserve this week. Photo Credit Nick Bone.
Waxwing
Spotted feeding in and around the Visitor Centre car park, reserve staff and visitors alike, were treated to some great views of this irregular visitor.
Waxwing next to the Mersehead Visitor Centre. Photo Credit Calum Murray.
Puffed up, punky tuft and proudly watching. Photo Credit Calum Murray.
A non-breeding winter visitor to the UK, Waxwing numbers can vary greatly from year to year, and they are known as an irruptive species. Years where larger numbers of wintering Waxwing are observed can be described as an irruptions. Irruptions occur when the populations of waxwing become too large for the amount of food available in their breeding grounds (Scandinavia), meaning larger numbers of birds migrate in search of food.
If you would like to learn more about Waxwing, click here.
Weekly Wildlife Sightings
Whilst I could wax lyrical about our first footing waxwing, perhaps my favourite sighting this week was a slightly slower moving species, Orange Peel Fungi. Meandering through the reserve while conducting a Barnacle Goose survey, allowed me the opportunity to pass a beautiful citric explosion of colour on the aptly named Rainbow Lane.
Orange Peel Fungi on Rainbow Lane. Photo Credit Nick Bone.
Orange Peel Fungus on Gorse on Rainbow Lane. Photo Credit Nick Bone
An indicator of just how mild the start of the year has been on the reserve would be the sighting of a Common lizard, sunning itself on a log.
Common lizard sunning itself on a log at Mersehead this week. Photo Credit Frances Gilgunn.
Weekly Tuesday Volunteers
With the drier weather our team has been hard at work with some early year scrub removal. Non-native species such as Sycamore and Rhododendron were removed in our Sulwath Garden, in preparation for the planting of some native species, such as Hawthorn, and the installation of a wildlife friendly dead hedge in the coming weeks. Scrub removal is an important part of winter habitat management on Mersehead and the coming weeks will see the team hard at work on Willow removal (See below if you would like to get involved).
Our Volunteers hard at work removing Rhododendron. Photo Credit Frances Gilgunn.
Our newest Residential Volunteer, Alison, removing Sycamore. Photo Credit Frances Gilgunn.
Opportunity to Make a Difference
If you are looking to make a positive difference but are not sure where to start, then why not join us at RSPB Mersehead this Saturday, 13th January, as we work, in partnership with Species on the Edge, to protect the at-risk Natterjack Toad. Details can be found below.
Big Garden Birdwatch
The end of the month, 26th -28th January, will see the return of the World’s largest garden wildlife survey, the RSPB’s own Big Garden Birdwatch.
If you are keen to get involved then all the information can be found on the RSPB Website by clicking here.
Residential Volunteering Opportunities:
We are looking for three residential volunteers to join our small, friendly team here at Mersehead to assist with the delivery of both our practical and visitor experience work programmes throughout the spring and summer. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation, bring people closer to nature and start a career in conservation. You will learn what it takes to run and manage a nature reserve and will gain a valuable insight into Europe's largest conservation charity.
Accommodation is provided in our converted farmhouse in the heart of the reserve where you will become fully immersed in the life of RSPB Mersehead. Working alongside staff and volunteers you will gain a range of wildlife survey knowledge, practical estate/habitat skills and people engagement experiences. For full details and how to apply click through the below links.
Conservation & Land Management Placement
People Experience Placement
Upcoming events
For more information on individual events and to book a place, please go to our website:
https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead
Volunteer Work Party – Species on the Edge/RSPB Mersehead
13th January
Badger Banquet
19th February
16th February
Nick Bone, Trainee Warden
*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.