RSPB Mersehead Recent Sightings 1st August – 7th August 2020
Overall, it has been an unseasonably wet and windy start to August at Mersehead. The unpredictability of the scattered, and occasionally heavy showers at the weekend was followed by more certainty in the first half of the week. High winds and long periods of persistent rain leading to flooding, and limited opportunities to fully appreciate and enjoy Mersehead’s vast array of flora and fauna.
Volunteers were on hand to take the opportunity, offered by the improved forecast on Thursday, to continue whitewashing and gardening at the cottages and Visitor Centre. This work vital for giving a good impression of the RSPB to both visitors and those staying in the cottages and, as lockdown proved, simply wouldn’t be possible without our small army of dedicated volunteers.
Barnacle Cottage. Photo credit: P. Radford
Additionally, one of our volunteers finished building a self-designed bike shed at Barnacle Cottage. It looks fantastic, and further enhances the appeal of Mersehead’s holiday lets to those visitors who are drawn to the area for two wheeled adventures.
A new addition to Barnacle Cottage. Photo credit: D. Walker
One other task that requires high certainty of a period of warm and dry weather is cutting hay. This is the culmination of a lot of time and effort by staff and volunteers over the summer, to achieve a lush, weed free hay crop. The first of two fields was cut on Thursday, so now we can only keep our fingers crossed that the upcoming weather is as good for drying as the forecast suggests.
Regardless of the weather, the members of our resident Kestrel family are still making their presence known, as they continue to be very active and vocal around the farm buildings. The begging call of the young has been particularly evident, possibly indicating that the parents are trying to encourage them to fend for themselves ahead of leaving in search of their own territories. The photo below was taken through a window, and captures one of the family attempting to shelter from the rain.
Juvenile kestrel sheltering from the rain. Photo credit: P. Radford
Many of the farmland bird species have become a lot more conspicuous recently. In particular, large – and sometimes mixed – flocks including Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Linnet, and Chaffinch can be seen on the telegraph wires running adjacent to the hedges and across the top fields. This would suggest birds have completed their post-breeding season moult – during which time they are particularly vulnerable to predators – and are now ready to enjoy the late summer abundance of insects, seeds and berries. Gathering in large groups means they can work together to identify and share food sources, and increase the likelihood of spotting and confusing predators. The swallows also appear to be spending more time congregating on the telegraph wires, with their chattering suggesting they are starting to think about starting their epic migration to Africa.
A charm of Goldfinch. Photo credit: P. Radford
When not looking up at the high wire enthusiasts, other notable sightings made by staff and visitors have included Brown Hare (including leverets), a Common Lizard and a Giant Horntail. This intimidating looking sawfly is harmless, with the female’s stinger-like tail actually being her ovipositor. Their larvae spend up to five years developing in the wood of pine trees. The one photographed below was rescued after being spotted tangled in some old spider webbing by one of our eagle-eyed volunteers.
Giant Horntail caught in spider webbing. Photo credit: P. Radford
The stand-out moth (and I know we shouldn’t have favourites) from this week’s bumper haul of 160 individuals and 40 species, was the Bordered Beauty. This striking species is on the wing between July and September, and only tends to come to light in small numbers. It is not a common visitor to the Mersehead moth trap, with a single specimen last being captured at a similar time in 2018.
Bordered Beauty. Photo credit: P. Radford
It has been great to see visitors back braving the elements on the reserve this week. The visitor centre (including toilets), viewing hides, Sulwath Garden and children's play area remain closed for now to ensure social distancing measures are followed. We are hoping to open the toilets soon. More information about the re-opening of RSPB reserves and facilities can be found at: Reserve Reboot
Paul Radford, Assistant Warden