Mersehead Recent Sightings 21st - 27th October
Although the start to the week was windy, wet & misty, there has been a steady improvement in the weather as the week has gone on, ending in a stunning clear, crisp sunny day today, Friday. On Monday we completed our Kirkconnell reserve count, resulting in 1 mute swan, 31 shelduck, 133 wigeon, 129 teal, 5 mallard, 258 pintail, 30 scaup, 1 goldeneye, 8 goosander, 4 comorant, 1 oystercatcher, 1 grey heron, 314 lapwing, 7 curlew, 22 redshank, 4 black-headed gull, 62 common gull, 101 lesser black-back gull, 22 great black-back gull, 93 herring gull. It was great to see such a number of scaup, a winter visitor to UK waters. Scaup are diving ducks, feeding on shellfish, crustaceans and insects. Only a handful will breed in the UK each year making them our rarest breeding duck.
Photo Credit: Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)
Here at Mersehead this week, the inclement weather at the beginning of the week did not put off visitor numbers, flocking to see the spectacle of 1000’s of barnacle & pink footed geese, moving around the reserve & overhead. On the feeders at the visitor centre, we are delighted to see the return of tree sparrows, scarcely seen, if at all here over the spring & summer. Our yellowhammers are also showing well, standing out amongst strong numbers of greenfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch & house sparrow.
Photo Credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Last Saturday a flock of 8 twite were seen, perched on telegraph wire on the entrance to our bruiach hide path. Twite breed on upland areas, such as the Scottish highlands during the spring and summer, moving to coastal areas for the autumn & winter months.
Photo credit: Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)
Remarkably 3 swallows were seen on Wednesday, feeding over the reserve. We can only put this down to the mild weather we have been experiencing throughout October.
Upon checking our trail cameras (which we use to monitor badger activity around our anti predator fence) on Monday morning, we found brilliant footage of an otter rolling around & preening in the grass. Although we know we have otter here, they are seldom seen, so it was great to capture a rare glimpse.
Throughout November & December we are conducting a series of ‘Duck & Goose Walks’. These will take place on Wednesday 15th, Wednesday 22nd November, and Wednesday 6th December. Come along and join us to see how many different kinds of ducks & geese we can spot. For more information call 01387 780579 or email mersehead@rspb.org.uk or visit our facebook page RSPB Dumfries and Galloway and click on events.
Jon Foot, Residential Volunteer