February 2014: Another unwintery month with little change. Lapwing topped the 2000 mark and Wigeon just over the 1000 which was good news while Pintail reached a respectable 40. The single Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Grey Plover continued to be seen amongst the fluctuating flock of up to 400 Golden Plover and an Avocet, Jack Snipe and the first returning Oystercatchers were reported. The four Marsh Harriers and several Peregrines were seen regularly while the female Merlin was seen again on the 2nd, 9th and 24th. A few Buzzard drifted through but it is difficult to tell if they are all local or not and the first Red Kite of the year came over the QEII Bridge on the 26th when a flock of 17 Little Egrets dropped in. Caspian Gulls were seen on numerous dates and at least five different birds were recorded along with about ten Yellow-legged Gulls, three Meds and possibly two immature Iceland Gulls (from the 19th). The Bittern was seen again briefly on the 10th and a colour-ringed Cormorant (PBX) had been marked a chick near Aberdeen in 2010. Chiffchaffs, Rock and Water Pipits continue to winter and the Bearded Tits were seen again on the 2nd while a Tree Sparrow the following day was probably passerine of the month.
With such generally mild weather it was not surprising that Water Voles were mobile, Marsh Frogs started to belch, Lizards lounge, Newts shuffle and four species of Butterfly to come out and brave the elements.... Cotlsfoot is flowering and the Willows and Gorse are bursting....
'Read all about it! ' - Bill Crooks
7-3-14
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer