20th and 21st February


A glorious day on the 20th with plenty of sunshine and a light westerly breeze; the nets at Holland were opened for the first time this year in response to the calm conditions and a slight increase in Thrush numbers with 19 new birds caught – pretty good for February up here!   53 Blackbirds, 45 Fieldfares and 75 Redwings were counted and were concentrated around Holland where there was also the first Woodcock of the year.

                Other little bits through the day included a Jack Snipe, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, the Smew still on Bewan with 9 Goldeneye, the Kumlien’s Gull still favouring Brides and at least 73 Snow Buntings twinkling around.

                An even better day on the 21st with almost wall to wall sunshine and the merest waft of a SW breeze saw a few small increases in landbirds including 56 Skylarks, 70 Fieldfares and 91 Redwings while the first Sparrowhawk of the year came into roost at Holland House.

                Some decent wader counts through the day comprised 136 Oystercatchers, 121 Lapwings, the 2 Knot still, 28 Bar-tailed Godwits and 77 Curlew while other birds of note included an increased 3 Shelduck, Water Rails seen at the Obs and at Ancum Willows, the Green-winged Teal and the Kumlien’s Gull.



Finally decent pictures of the Kumlien's Gull!

Snow Bunting

Purple Sandpipers

Comments