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February
2008 Bird Report
A relatively benign and dry
February, so the lake levels have dropped a bit.
A maximum of 7
Great-crested Grebe around this month, which is low by historic
standards. Little Egret scarce after mid-month; but definite signs of
Grey Heron nesting in the area – they normally start to lay by the
end of February. Geese are dispersing (except for the 27 Barnacle Geese)
with regular Greylags hanging around – will this be the year that
they start to breed on site?
Good peak numbers of ducks
in February, particularly: 265 Tufted Ducks, 46 Goosander in
the early part of the month and 185 Shoveler - a new site
record. A pair of Goldeneye remain on Grove Lake. The only rarity was
report of a male Red-crested Pochard on 21st.
The regular pair of
Kestrels are showing an interest in the top section of the owl box;
Buzzard in the area and once seen perched on the owl box. Barn Owl
seen hunting from the 7th – but the report of Barn Owl like feathers on
Lower Sandhurst Rd. on the 21st is ominous and I am not aware of any
sighting after that date. Little Owls were seen regularly in the
trees on the new workings, and Tawny Owls heard around the site at
dawn. All this implies that there is a good population of small mammals.
No big flocks of Lapwing
this month for some reason, just 50 or so. 20+ Snipe present with a
showy individual on Colebrook scrape at times. Water Rails seen on
Colebrook and Grove lakes and two Green Sandpipers present all month
but elusive.
Gatherings of up to 80
Black-headed Gulls displaying on Tern Island – getting ready to breed
again; otherwise few Gulls recently.
A Red-legged Partridge
was seen on the workings on the 10th while we were clearing out the nest
boxes. Skylarks were singing on the 23rd and a couple of
Treecreepers inspecting a traditional nesting tree on 24th.
A wintering Blackcap
was seen near Colebrook hide on the 7th. Plenty of Reed Buntings on
the feeding station recently and a Brambling on the 23rd. Only a few
Siskins and Redpolls in the area this month and only one
sighting of Linnets.
As always, please report your own sightings on the record
sheets in Colebrook Hide or send them to Ian Brown, the
Moor Green Bird Recorder.
Bruce
Archer
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