What a Difference a Day Makes

RSPB Mersehead Blog 10^th – 16^th August 2024

It’s been a mixed bag of weather this week with days of heavy rain and bright sunshine the next. But that doesn’t deter us at Mersehead!  In this week’s blog hear how our volunteers braved the rain to join us for our summer BBQ, see our Marsh Harrier fledglings in flight, and learn more about the variety of fungi we are finding near our woodland paths.

A thank you to our Volunteers

The wet and windy weather didn’t dampen spirits at our Volunteer Summer BBQ on Tuesday.  This annual event is a thank you to the volunteers who help us run the visitor centre, undertake a variety of practical reserve tasks, and lead our monthly forest school.  We couldn’t manage the reserve without them!

The BBQ is a great opportunity for the volunteers and reserve team to get together.  Joining us was Doug who has been volunteering with us for 17 years and Tracy who has been with us for 2 weeks!  We also celebrated Ron receiving his Swift Long Service Award for 5 years as a volunteer. 

Volunteers enjoying the summer BBQ despite the weather. Photo Credit: C Glass

The reserve team cooking up a storm. Photo Credit: C Glass	A typical Scottish summer BBQ. Photo Credit: D Jackson
Ron receiving his 5 years volunteering award.  Photo Credit: C Glass	Building up an appetite. Photo Credit: C Glass

Fancy joining our volunteer team? We are currently recruiting for our Visitor Centre Team, and it would be great to hear from you.  More details are available here: Visitor Centre Welcome Mersehead

Marsh Harrier fledglings in flight

In last week’s blog we shared an update on the reserve’s two fledged female Marsh Harrier chicks.  The reserve team has been out this week to photograph the fledglings in flight as they start to explore the reserve.  The fledglings are very dark brown with creamy marks on their head, nape and back and can often be seen from the Meida Hide.

Marsh Harrier fledgling in flight at Mersehead. Photo Credit: N Bone	Marsh Harrier fledgling in flight at Mersehead. Photo Credit: N Bone

Woodland wonders

As we move towards the end of summer and with the recent wet weather, our woodland fungi is thriving. When walking along the path to Meida Hide and the woodland path on the coastal trail you should be able to spot a variety of fungi growing on the ground, on fallen trunks and branches and living trees.  Approximately 50% of woodland fungi are decomposers so deadwood is a great place to start to spot some fungi.

While out this week I saw the development of the rubbery button-shaped Black Bulgar fungus which usually grows on dead oak and beech trees, and the Amethyst Deceiver fungus which when wet is a vibrant colour, quickly fading as the fungus becomes dry.  The Sheathed Woodtuft fungus is now growing on some of our deadwood and look out for the Puffball fungus appearing along the side of the woodland path on the coastal trail. 

Carol-Ann Glass, Trainee 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

At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages - Barnacle and Shelduck. Available dates are currently going quickly, so please 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.