Ogston Bird Club

February 2002 – 78 Species – 28 Days Covered

February continued where January left off, with mild, very wet southwesterly winds. This continued into the second week with the same incessant wind and rain on most days. Spring arrived for a short time on 14th but only lasted until 18th. We soon returned to gales and heavy rain, including snow on 23rd, but this was generally a mild month.

A good record of twelve Greylag Geese joined the resident Canada’s on 17th and Grey Heron were back in the Heronry with twenty-one on 5th. A new bird for the month was a Mute Swan on the same date. Another was released on the reservoir on 16th after being found on a car park in Clay Cross.

Shelduck numbers varied from one to five for the first eight days but were not seen for the rest of the month. Goosanders were seen on most days with a max. of seven on 3rd. Wigeon counts remained low with a max of four on 22nd. With the continuing low water levels Teal were still around in good numbers and eighty was the best on 7th. Pochard was also well represented with seventy-six on 5th. Whilst searching the gull roost on 17th two pairs of Pintail and one female Ruddy Duck were also discovered.

Common Buzzard continue to show a presence and two were seen displaying over the dam wall on 11th and another flushed twenty-eight Grey Heron from the Heronry on 13th. The scrape continues to attract Snipe and twelve were counted on 10th. The first Curlew of the year arrived on 19th, with further singles on 20th and 23rd. One Dunlin was present on 18th. Lapwing peaked at six hundred on 14th but declined towards the end of the month. Several Pheasant have been observed at the top of South Hill and two Grey Partridge seen in the same area was an excellent record on 17th.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was observed on the first three days of the month and the gull roost was rejuvenated with two Iceland Gulls seen both on 13th & 14th and singles on 15th & 19th. A Yellow-legged Gull filled in on 10th.

The first Green Woodpecker of the year was heard on 14th and Great Spotted was present most days. Little Owls were difficult to find this month and Kingfisher was not seen at all. A Tawny Owl was heard from the West Bank on 24th.

Singles of Meadow Pipit and Skylark have been heard passing through but they have been thin on the ground. Siskins were noted in Alders Wood, with a max. of six on 4th. A large Goldfinch and Linnet flock continued to be highlight of the West Bank and the usual tits and finches were seen around the feeders. A single Brambling was a bonus from 5th to 7th and provided good views around the Church Farm feeder. Yellowhammers became more numerous as the month progressed and could be heard singing on good days. Single Reed Bunting were also noted along hide lane.