February 2010

45 species so far this month

Little Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Little Egret
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Red-breasted Merganser
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Water Rail
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Mediterranean Gull >
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull >
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Green Woodpecker
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit >
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw >
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch >
Greenfinch
Goldfinch >
Bullfinch




February 28th
A most unexpected addition to the trail bird list this morning when a Water Rail ran across the path next to the Marsh Road embankment.

February 27th
The Red-necked Grebe was off Underbarn again but still not visible from the trail. A pair of Bullfinches were in the trees on the west side of the Marsh Road embankment.

February 15th
The Black-necked Grebe count was up to 10 again this morning and the Great-crested Grebes were displaying off Sandsfoot. At Rodwell Halt a pair of male Sparrowhawks were chasing each other round the trees, with one of them finishing off with a short display flight, perhaps indicating a watching female nearby.

February 13th
Only 3 Black-necked Grebes this morning but it was good to see a Slavonian nice and close for comparison. The highlight today was a group of 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese investigating the eel-grass beds off Sandsfoot Castle. The southern end of the trail had a group of displaying Ringed Plovers and 5 Oystercatchers.

February 6th
As I stepped out of my front door this morning I heard a screeching overhead. Looking up I was just in time to see a Peregrine carry off a pigeon.