February 2009
49 species so far this monthGreat Northern Diver
Little Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Shelduck
Red-breasted Merganser
Sparrowhawk
Peregrine
Buzzard
Oystercatcher
Mediterranean Gull >
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull >
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Rock Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit >
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw >
Rook
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch >
Greenfinch
Goldfinch >
February 1st
A very windy day with few small birds showing at all, although I did hear the first Chaffinch song of the year at Rodwell. 120 Brent Geese were on the remains of Whitehead's Pier and nearby was a very close Slavonian Grebe. In the afternoon 35 Med Gulls were roosting off Sandsfoot Castle.
February 8th
After all the snow a beautiful calm morning in the harbour, ideal for picking out distant seabirds. Unfortunately it seems as if all the birds have gone elsewhere with only 4 Black-necked Grebes to be found.
February 16th
Another calm, Spring-like morning with birds in full song all along the trail. The harbour produced no less than 5 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Great Northern Divers, with a lone Shelduck the first seen for some months. The presence of just 1 Great Crested Grebe suggests that they may have already started to head inland - a summer-plumaged bird was at Radipole last week. A Skylark at Small Mouth was the only small bird of any note.
February 19th
A venture off the trail around Sandsfoot Castle produced 7 Black-necked Grebes and 3 or 4 Chiffchaffs including one gorgeous bird of the pale Siberian race. The Great Crested Grebes turned up in Bincleaves corner with at least 20 present.