Welcome to Your Summer Home

RSPB Mersehead Blog 25^th – 31^st May 2024

Following on from the theme of last week’s blog, we were delighted to welcome back the Aberdeen Angus herd to Mersehead for the summer. Currently in the wet grassland compartment to the left of main footpath up to the woodland, cattle are an important aspect of managing the habitats across Mersehead for various species.

1. The cattle help control vegetation growth by consuming plants, which prevents the dominance of certain species and encourages a more diverse plant community. This, in turn, benefits a wide range of wildlife that relies on diverse habitats for food, shelter, and breeding.
2. Controlled grazing by cattle can promote biodiversity by creating a mosaic of different vegetation heights and structures, as well as preventing the encroachment of woody plants, ensuring that open habitats are maintained for species that require such conditions. This is particularly important for the wetlands at Mersehead to promote breeding waders and to keep willow encroachment at a minimum so as to provide less areas for predators to perch from.
3. Grazing animals can be integrated into sustainable land management practices, such as rotational grazing systems. Rotational grazing involves moving cattle between different pastures, allowing vegetation to recover and promoting healthier plant growth. This method prevents overgrazing and promotes soil health, which is vital for the long-term sustainability of the land.

 

Back for the Summer. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

 Also returning to the reserve, House Martins have been repairing nests under the eaves. The nest is made of pellets of mud mixed with grass, lined with feathers and vegetable fibre. A new nest is completed in one to two weeks, while repairs to an existing one normally only takes a few days.

Busy Building: Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Mud Collection: Photo Credit: R. Chambers

The UK’s rarest amphibian, the Natterjack Toad has a prolonged breeding season allowing it to take advantage of the varying weather conditions. Today’s survey found four new spawn strings. The first spawn strings of 2024 were found on the 8^th April that’s seven weeks ago! Each adult female will only approach the pools once a year to spawn. It was fantastic to count at least 800 “2-legged” tadpoles as they will not have long to go until they metamorphosis into toadlets.

Freshly Laid Natterjack Spawn. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Spawn Starting to Hatch. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

2-Legged Natterjack. Phot Credit: R. Chambers

Froglet’s were present in the grass surrounding the pools which is a great indicator of the stage in the amphibian breeding season. Frog’s spawn first when the weather is cooler, followed by Common Toad and then the Natterjack Toad last when the night air temperature is warmer.

Common Frog, 4-Legs & a Tail. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Adult Common Frog. Photo Credit: N. Bone

The wet grassland habitat surrounding the Natterjack lagoon is a sea of yellow with Lesser Spearwort, Meadow Buttercup, Creeping Buttercup, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Silverweed, Yellow Iris and Tormentil all in flower. Ragged Robin is in flower on the merse and Northern Marsh Orchid are also in flower.

Celery-Leaved Buttercup. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Yellow Iris. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Northern Marsh Orchid. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Ragged Robin. Photo Credit: R. Chambers

Finishing off with a traditional photo shoot of the some of the Moths recorded during the Garden Moth Scheme this morning.

Brimstone: Photo Credit: F. Sanders

Buff Ermine: Photo Credit: F. Sanders

Buff-Tip. Photo Credit: F. Sanders

Pale Prominent. Photo Credit. F. Sanders 

Rowena Chambers, Warden

 

Upcoming events: For more information on individual events and to book a place, please go to our website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead

Big Wild Summer Activity Trail: Self-guided family event, collect you activity pack from the Visitor Centre	3rd July – 31st August
Nocturnal Wildlife Walk: Guided Walk; Booking Essential	20th July 25th July 3rd August
Forest School: For more information & to book a place on Forest School please email: mersehead@rspb.org.uk	30th June 25th August 29th September 27th October 24th November

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. Available dates for 2024 are listed below:

Shelduck Cottage	Barnacle Cottage
6th – 13th July
17th – 24th August	17th – 24th August
28th September – 5th October	28th September – 5th October
5th – 12th October
	26th October – 2nd November
	16th – 23rd November
	23rd – 30th November
All December dates currently available	All December dates currently available

*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.