Making the most of winter
BY February, the days are becoming noticeably longer and, at times, more springlike. The dawn chorus should be starting to build, which I always really enjoy. It can be a contrasting month, often with a mix of cold snowy or icy days, a winter storm or two and other much milder periods – especially towards the final few days. Indeed, depending on the conditions, the first
Sand Martins, Garganey and Northern Wheatears could arrive before the month ends. Equally, who can forget the freezing conditions during the ‘Beast from the East’ in late February 2018?!
Species: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
With few leaves on the trees and birds starting to pair up, February is a good time to search for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, as well as other woodland specialities. ‘Lesser Spot’ is an increasingly scarce bird and is nowadays localised, which makes monitoring even more important. Listen out for the distinctive drumming – longer and weaker than Great Spotted Woodpecker, which will dominate the ‘pecker chorus’ at this time of the year. It’s likely that you’ll hear any Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers before seeing them, but with patience good views are possible. Calm early mornings are ideal for visiting woodlands in search of woodpeckers. Damp areas, perhaps with alder or birch, are best. If you’re lucky enough to find any, do consider sending your records to the Woodpecker Network ( www.woodpeckernetwork.org.uk).
Habitat: floodplains
Wetlands in winter usually have a lovely soundscape, with whistling Eurasian Wigeon, squealing Water Rails hidden in reedbeds, loud outbursts from Cetti’s Warblers (these are slowly creeping north) and various squeaks from wading birds. With the wet winter we’ve had, floodplains are likely to be full of water, attracting birds including a variety of dabbling duck, plus waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, Common Snipe, Northern Lapwing and Common Redshank. There may be a stretch of river or lowlying farmland near you that’s susceptible to flooding – keep tabs on it, as any gatherings of birds may entice something unusual in. Grey geese or winter swans are possible, especially if you live in the north. Depending on how accessible your local floodplains are, it can be worth looking for Jack Snipe – watching them bob is always fun! Such waterbird-filled sites will likely attract raptors, with harriers, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon or perhaps Short-eared Owl possible. Water Pipit is often found in damp grassland or meadows, and may represent a tidy local record for you.
Weather: winter storms
Stormy conditions can be productive for seawatching, even in February. Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemot are likely on any stretch of coastline, while Puffin, Black Guillemot and Little Auk may be seen depending on your location (these are unlikely in the south!). Choppy seas make it more challenging scanning for seaduck and divers, but fly-bys from Common and Velvet Scoter, Common Eider, Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, and Great Northern, Redthroated and Black-throated Divers are all possible. Rarer possibilities include White-billed Diver (especially in the north) and Surf Scoter, which appear annually in small numbers. In the south, it was a particularly good autumn for Leach’s Storm Petrel and Little Gull – two species to keep your fingers crossed for in any rough February weather we might endure.