Birds and other
wildlife recorded in February 2025
Red
Kites were fairly regular, and Common Buzzard was recorded on one occasion.
Three gull species were recorded passing over: Black-headed, Herring Gull and Lesser
Black-backed. Stock Doves were seen, including a displaying male on the 2nd
and Woodpigeons were fairly frequent. Both Green and Great-spotted
Woodpeckers were recorded, with the latter species drumming early in the
month. Skylarks were singing in the
adjoining field – signs of spring are around!
Many
of the regular species were recorded this month: Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush,
Blackbird – and a Mistle Thrush, an early breeder. Redwings were seen on a couple of occasions –
including a flock of 29 on the 2nd. No Fieldfares were recorded, however.
Chiffchaff
was recorded - once only a summer visitor but now recorded more often in our colder
seasons.
More
usual were sightings (or hearings) of Goldfinch, Wren and the usual tits: Great
Tit, Blue Tit {already showing signs of pairing up very early in the month),
and Long-tailed Tits. Nuthatch and
Treecreeper - a difficult species to see and hear (especially as one gets
older!) The usual corvids were about: Jackdaw (at least 8 on the 2nd of the
month, Jay, Magpie, Rook and Carrion Crow – and a Raven flew over on the 29th. Starlings
and House Sparrows were recorded, the latter usually near to human habitation
around the edges of the wood. Finches:
Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch (maybe making something of a comeback
nationally after a lot of disease problems), Siskin was heard on the 28th and
Bullfinches were also seen.
Other taxa
Of
course, Grey Squirrel was about, as were occasional Rabbits. Both Roe Deer and
Chinese Water Deer were spotted. Frogspawn was detected in Rory’s pond, by the
latter part of the month!
