February 2017 - Review.
View late afternoon across the Meadow Pools.
There was still a wintery feel to early February despite some sunny days but the frosty nights were causing the days to take a while to warm up. After some hazy milder days mid-month followed by Storms Doris and then Ewan, cold but sunny conditions saw the month out.
The wader roosts along the saltmarsh were still giving some good viewing, as were the aerial displays of Dunlin and Grey Plover. But numbers fell as the month progressed. Little Egret were regularly seen scavenging along the creeks and pools on the saltmarsh (particularly after a high tide) and on 25th, a group of 20+ Snipe were seen from the Maryland lay-by, flitting back and forth in the margins of Saltmarsh Pool.
1st Feb - Wader roost (Oystercatchers and Dunlin with a few Grey Plover) on the saltmarsh near Scargavel Point.
10th Feb - Dunlin aerial display and Oystercatcher roost near Biglands lay-by.
10th Feb - Dunlin and Grey Plover on flooded saltmarsh near Byers Cottage.
23rd Feb - Redshank on the incoming tide, Scargavel Point.
19th Feb - Curlew numbers were starting to build up.
27th Feb - Little Egret on the saltmarsh.
27th Feb - Snipe in the margins of Saltmarsh Pool.During the month southerly winds were assisting Pink-footed Geese in their move back north from their winter feeding grounds in Norfolk and Lancashire. Occasional small flocks were seen flying across and some grazing on the Reserve - until, on 24th, a flock in excess of 8000, appeared over Rogersceugh flying north. They were probably grazing the fields near by and had been disturbed. However, they swirled around for a while and then divided up, with one half flying off towards Anthorn and the others landing to graze the carefully managed sward in the 'Lapwing' field, on the east of the Lonning - a small number of Barnacles were with them. After grazing for a while a helicopter came over and they were off - flying in the direction of the other half of the flock. From photos was able to count 8550 but there could have been more, as some were quite a distance away.
1st Feb - Pinkfeet flying east across the Reserve.
18th Feb - Pinkfeet grazing with Wigeon beyond Meadow Pools at dusk.
24th Feb - Geese flying into 'Lapwing' field . . .
. . . and landing to graze.
Flock was made up of mostly Pinkfeet with a few Barnacles.
Flocks of Barnacle Geese had been regularly seen thoughout the month, flying along the tideline as the high tides push them off the Inner Estuary marshes.
24th Feb - Barnacles flying west.
25th Feb - Barnacles keeping close to the waves on a very stormy day.
The arable fields on the reserve, planted up with crops to provide seed for wintering birds, were now paying off. A flock Linnets with a few Reed Buntings, were seen regularly draped in the trees surrounding the car park and, from the Red Route, on power lines crossing the arable fields.
4th Feb - Reed Buntings and Linnets overlooking the arable field near the Centre.
10th Feb - 300+ Linnets in total, were on the wire above arable field.
10th Feb - Reed Bunting with Linnets over far arable field .
Further along the Red Route, the panorama of the Moss with its backcloth of the Lake District Fells opens up. At anytime of the year a walk across the boardwalk is sensational. Shortly - the haunting sound of Curlew and Skylarks will be heard as the breeding season kicks in.
.10th Feb - the beauty of the Moss in late Winter.
10th Feb - A Roe Deer buck on the Moss.
10th Feb - a tantalising glimpse across the wetlands, through the Phragmites which masks the return path along the Red Route . . .
. . . and a flock of about 160 Lapwings coming in to roost on the islands out in the water.
A good collection of birds had been viewed from the hide: Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzards and the occasional Hen Harrier.
10th Feb - Little Egret, Pintail and Teal.
10th Feb - Wigeon, Pintail and Lapwing.
18th Feb - also Shoveler.
27th Feb - Wigeon fly-by.
27th Feb - Mallard on Hide Pool.
The Meadow Pools, at this time of the year, hold a good collection of Wigeon ,Teal and Lapwing; with a smaller numbers of Pintail, Shoveler, Mallard, Little Egret and Grey Heron. Also there was a surprise visit from a pair of Goosander.
Wigeon often accompanied by a Little Egret.
4th Feb - Wigeon grazing en-masse around the Meadow Pools.
19th Feb - flock of 300 Wigeon, which had been grazing the surrounding grassland, suddenly took to the air . . .
. . . and landed on the Meadow Pool for a wash and brush up.
24th Feb - Wigeon enjoying the morning sunlight.
18th Feb - Goosander displaying.
By the end of the month the 'Lapwing Field' on the east side of the Lonning was well flooded. Lapwing, Teal and the occasional Redshank were all making use of it.
19th Feb - Lapwings and a Redshank had arrived.
24th Feb - Surveying the breeding meadows.
24th Feb - Teal enjoying the flooded area too.
A Tawny Owl had been heard regularly hooting in the vicinity of the Wetlands Centre but had only been briefly sighted. However, on 22nd, one of the duty volunteers managed to locate it and took the following snap with his mobile phone.
22nd Feb - Tawny Owl viewed from Wetlands Centre (credit, Peter Birkett).
A pair of Bullfinches had been frequenting the seed feeders and a Moorhen was seen in the vicinity too.
22nd Feb - female Bullfinch.
1st Feb - Moorhen intent on crossing the entrance track
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:
1st Feb - An Early Carpet Moth (correct me if I'm wrong!)
23rd Feb - Siskin on hamlet feeders.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers had been seen frequently on the Centre feeders.