Wintry

RSPB Mersehead Blog 7^th – 13^th October 2023

It has certainly started to feel wintry on the reserve with overnight temperatures dropping to 2^oC. Winter migrants have been returning with a flock of 60 Redwing seen on Rainbow Lane on Monday. Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush and Brambling have also been recorded.

This week has seen the team busy with bird surveys. On Wednesday a co-ordinated count of the Solway Estuary for Svalbard Barnacle Geese recorded 4,800 on Mersehead Nature Reserve. The count estimated 32,000 birds have now returned to the UK, with 25,000 of these currently on the Solway. Amongst these, there were 4 Leucistic Barnacle Geese.

On the same day over at Kirkconnell Merse, it was great to see our first Whooper Swans of the season with 37 initially recorded on the River Nith and later seen in flight during a survey of the wildfowl and waders. Full survey results in the table below.

Whooper Swans

Criffel from across the River Nith

A reserve wide survey of the wildfowl and waders across Mersehead was completed on Thursday with highlights including Merlin and Peregrine hunting across the wetlands. Whooper Swans were also recorded at Mersehead with duck numbers increasing across the reserve. A total of 12 Little Egret were counted including a colour ringed bird. Often heard but rarely seen, a Water Rail made an appearance at Meida Hide.

Swallows are still present with 23 recorded perching on the telegraph wires today whilst a flock of 5 Sand Martins were seen over the beach. The Belted Galloway herd left Mersehead this week, we have really enjoyed seeing them on the reserve at Mersehead over the past 4-months and look forward to their return next summer.

RSPB Mersehead is running a full and varied Events Program. We are looking for Volunteers who can help with all our Visitor Engagement Activities, from welcoming people on arrival, to leading events and activities. In a nutshell, we are looking for volunteers who can provide a great visitor experience here on the reserve. If you love nature and working with people as much as we do, then we’d like you to join our team! Please get in touch with us here.

Join us for another one of our popular Forest School events on Saturday 28^th October. This event will be goose related to co-inside with the Wild Goose Festival taking place across Dumfries and Galloway 19th-29th October. Limited places are available for primary aged school children. Each workshop costs £5 per child. Parents and guardians are welcome to stay but not necessary. Suitable clothing and footwear for outside play are essential. Please email mersehead@rspb.org.uk to reserve a space or for further information. Forest school involves learning that is in tune with nature and the great outdoors. Its aim is to promote new skills, confidence, self-esteem, and team building while participants take part in fun outdoor activities.

Rowena Chambers - 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.