February is a great month to learn birdsongs and calls. Around this time our native birds are busy establishing a territory pending the breeding season, so can be heard through out the day. Add to that the trees haven’t got any leaf coverage so spotting the birds high up or deep in thick woodland is much easier. Birds to listen out for are Song thrush, Black bird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Robin and Dunnock. Soon summer migrants will start to return, and the job of distinguishing songs and calls becomes much harder.
Exminster marshes is a good reserve to visit, with the improved water levels across the site, there is a number of different wetland habitats for the birds to use. Groups of Wigeon can be seen feeding in the fields; Shovelers prefer deeper water and the small Teal like muddy areas to dabble in.
Later this month during half term (23rd 2-3) we are hosting a wet wellie walk around the farm, it’s a great chance for children to get close to nature, and maybe spot the Brent geese or large flocks of Linnets.
Gareth Williams