Trip reports

Visit to Mereshead 13th February 2010

Bill Young-Yellowhammer

Sunday, 14 February 2010

23 people came along to this lovely RSPB reserve in Dumfries. It was a bright, sunny and warm day and gave us good viewing conditions from the hides, the shore and the tracks.
High tide was shortly after we arrived and pushed the waders into the shore for a better view. Here there were plenty of Oyster Catcher, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Cormorant and Shelduck. On the marsh a Little Egret was seen and a Merlin hunting. Along the track from the marsh both male and female Stonechat were seen on their perch on the fence wire.
At the feeding station outside the window of the Visitor Centre were House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Dunnock and several very colourful Yellowhammers. The hedgerows leading to the hides revealed great tit, blue tit and Robin. In the fields large numbers of Barnacle Geese were feeding and where one leucistic goose was seen amongst them. Leucistic birds have colour pigment missing which results in a pale coloured or white bird. Around the Solway coast seven leucistic Barnacle Geese have been recorded. There were also Pheasant, Starlings, Meadow Pippit, Carrion Crow, Rooks and Jackdaw in the fields.
From the hides overlooking the ponds were seen, Mallard, Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveller, Widgeon, Teal, Goldeneye and Tufted Duck. Also Snipe, Moorhen, Grey Heron and Hen Harrier.
Walks through the woods revealed Twite, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and Goldcrest. 45 species were recorded by the group today.
The end to a perfect day was the beautiful susnset as we headed back into West Cumbria.