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
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