Get out this February and see if you can hit all these birding goals.
HERE are some goals to keep you occupied during February. As the weather can be very cold, make sure that you don’t disturb any of the birds you watch. And do make sure you stick to lockdown restrictions in your area.
Gull quintet
Find five species of gulls which do not breed in Britain. The two white-winged species, Glaucous and Iceland, should be possible, either on the coast or at an inland gull roost, and there are usually a few Caspian Gulls around, too. There is a good chance of being able to run into a Little Gull somewhere this month, but the last one will have to be something a little rarer, say a Bonaparte’s or a Ring-billed. Maybe you’ll get really lucky with something of a mega, like a Ross’s or Ivory Gull – you never know.
Winter wagtails
Find a winter Pied Wagtail roost of at least 100 birds near you. In most winters these fabulous little birds find somewhere warm to form a communal roost. These can be in a variety of places from reedbeds to city centres. One urban roost in Kent was in laurel bushes and held up to 4,300 birds in February 1977. Large roosts usually attract birds from a wide area of surrounding countryside, and as well as providing warmth and protection from predators, they may also act as an information exchange.
Wader score
Britain is a great place for wintering waders, with many found on estuaries and at other coastal sites; several species can also be seen on inland wetlands and fields. The challenge is to see as many as you can in the month, with a target of 20 species. Try also to see 10 species at a single location.
Goldeneye bond
Common Goldeneye pair up over the winter and undertake wonderful communal displays which can involve up to 14 distinct moves by the male. In one he stretches his neck forward along the water and then flicks it backwards to point vertically, at the same time giving a shrill call and then flicking water in front of him with his feet. See how many different display types you can observe this species making on a lake or reservoir near you.
Diving divas
Can you manage to see five species of grebe in the month? There is even the chance that you might see them all in one place, somewhere like Rutland Water. Otherwise, a coastal site or two and a gravel pit or reservoir should provide the best opportunities to see them.
Great melodies
In February many resident birds are singing. One of these is Great Tit, with its distinctive squeaky bicycle pump-like tea-cher, teacher song (or cher-tea, cher-tea if you prefer). The repertoire of an experienced adult Great Tit can amount to 30 to 40 songs and calls. The challenge is to find several different singing Great
Tits and to identify five separate songs or calls – you could even try recording them on your phone. Chris Harbard