BIRD NEWS FROM CARR VALE NATURE RESERVE AND SURROUNDING AREA
FEBRUARY 2002

Once again, despite the constraints of work and holidays, the area received daily visits; although the reduced coverage meant that in terms of species recorded February's total of 73 was the lowest since 1998. However this tally was still above the seven-year average of 72. The yearlist progressed to 80, one less than 2001 but about average and notable species included Grey Lag Goose, Merlin, Peregrine, Dunlin, Woodcock, Kittiwake (9th record) and Chiffchaff. It was a very windy month and two prolonged periods of heavy rain saw the water level in meadow flash rise to 27" on the 23rd and to 4' on the 26th, the worst flood of the winter.

The first Little Grebe of the year appeared on the 8th and single birds were then noted on the 17th, 19th and 21st whilst the first Great-crested Grebe of the year was noted on the 5th after which there were daily records of one to three birds. Single Cormorants were seen on the 3rd, 5th and 26th with two on the 24th and Herons were recorded on all bar one date peaking at nine on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th, although after six on the 9th and four on the 11th numbers fell away with generally one or two, occasionally three birds present, including the long-staying wing-tagged individual. A single Grey Lag Goose on the 26th-27th was slightly earlier than the normal spring arrival date and higher than normal numbers of Canada Geese were present throughout the month peaking at 101 on the 1st.

Continuing their excellent form the Wigeon flock remained in three-figures throughout the month with a peak count of 150 on the 1st and 2nd. Gadwall were present on 25 dates with double-figures on seven of these although the peak count was only 12 on the 24th. Teal numbers were disappointing with the highest count just 75 on the 27th whilst the highest Mallard count was a paltry 28 on the 12th. One to three Pochard were seen on 17 dates with four on the 27th and although Tufted Ducks were seen on 27 dates during the month the highest count was only 13 on the 26th-27th. The long-staying female Goosander was seen on 20 dates but she was joined by another pair between the 20th and 24th and again on the 26th. Finally amongst the wildfowl Ruddy Ducks were noted daily with a peak count of five on the 17th.

Sparrowhawks were seen on just five dates and Kestrels on only four making it a poor month for both species. A single Buzzard was seen to fly west on the 12th with two together on the 24th and although both sightings were from the observation mound the birds were very distant, south of the recording area. Much closer was a female Merlin that flew north-west over the flashes on the 11th and an immature male Peregrine that put in a brief appearance on the 24th. Grey Partridge were a regular feature during the month with a peak count of seven on the 1st and a Water Rail was noted on five dates between the 11th and 20th. Coot peaked at 45 on the 17th and after an absence of a month a Golden Plover was noted the following day, with daily records from the 23rd peaking at 20 on the 24th on which date the Lapwing flock reached 140. A Dunlin was present on the 25th-26th, one to four Snipe were seen on eight dates from the 12th and a fly-through Woodcock on the 24th was a good record. After a single Redshank on the 10th another bird was present on four dates between the 23rd and 28th.
Very few gulls were seen and indeed not one Common Gull was seen during the month. However the first winter Kittiwake that flew north on the 24th was a welcome addition to the yearlist given that it was only the ninth record for the site. It has been a very good winter for Woodpigeons, much to the annoyance of the local farmers and a flock of c1500 early on the 15th was an impressive site. A Kingfisher on the 27th was the only record during the month and Grey Wagtails were equally as scarce with just four records of one or two birds between the 2nd and 16th. The 16th saw a full area bird-count which produced some reasonable totals (with the number of singing males shown in brackets). The counts were 26 (14) Wrens, 15 (10) Dunnocks, 33 Robins, 30 Blackbirds, 12 (4) Song Thrushes, five to seven (2) Willow Tits, 37 Blue Tits, 13 (7) Great Tits, 13 Chaffinches and five Greenfinches.

100 Fieldfares were also present on the 16th along with 40 Redwings and a Chiffchaff was seen on five dates between the 3rd and 13th. Goldcrests continued to be very scarce with records of single birds on just three dates, three singing Treecreepers on the 16th included two that were only 50 metres apart and 60 Jackdaws on the 6th was a notable count. Siskins were only recorded on four dates although one of the records was of a flock of 25 on the 16th on which date the only Lesser Redpoll of the month was also seen. Finally the first Yellowhammer song was heard on the 16th with the first Reed Bunting song noted a couple of days earlier on the 13th.

Mammals were a bit thin on the ground with a single Hare noted on three dates between the 13th and 16th, a Weasel on the 2nd and a Stoat on the 16th.

Mark Beevers.