Summary February 2012
We were on holiday in Lanzarote for the week between 2nd and 9th of February. We weren’t really doing any serious bird watching but we kept our eyes open and we did see a few species including Pallid Swift, Kestrel, Kentish Plover, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Swallow, Spanish Sparrow and Berthelot’s Pipit. It would be well worthwhile returning here in Spring but at this time of year it seemed fairly quiet for birds.
Garden
When we returned from holiday it was clear that it had been very cold and the moment we removed the ice from the bird bath, the Blackbirds were back for their baths. The whole of the first half of the month had been very cold but the second half was much milder if a bit windy at times. The Blackcap has remained until the end of the month at least and is to be seen often having got the hang of the bird feeder – it is as likely to be seen there than on the bird table. Goldfinches are plentiful – often up to 14 or so at a time. Blue and Great Tits are pretty active. Woodpigeons and Collared Doves are back at full force and the Robin is occasionally seen. As usual, a couple of Dunnocks (sometimes three !) are seen daily and may even be nesting in the ivy at the bottom of the garden. Mistle Thrushes continue to be seen from our front and back windows, either protecting a neighbour’s Rowan tree facing our house or in the trees in the park behind it. On occasion they are accompanied by Redwing in varying numbers. Blackbirds and Magpies bathe frequently in the bird bath. A Coal Tit was on the bird table at the end of the month.
Walks and Days Out
On the 19th we went for a walk in Poynton Park in search of the Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers we had heard about and whilst we didn’t have any success it would be worth another visit because it is a promising little park which makes up for its small size with same small “avenues” of Lime Trees, some of which are quite mature and which harbour many good nesting places for birds. We did see a couple of trees that had all the visual hallmarks of Woodpecker activity so it well worth another visit before long.
Birding Group
The only birding group day out that we missed was the trip to Neumann’s Flash on 7th which, according to reports, was not exceptional and few species were observed. Apparently it was very cold. We did get to the second group outing of the month which was on a Thursday (16th) instead of a Tuesday (to fit with low tides) was to Hilbre Island. Highlights as usual were the Brent Geese and Turnstones but there were alo large numbers of Oystercatchers and some Redshanks. On Tuesday 21st February we went to Ashton Hall Flash where some local birders say they had seen an Icelandic Gull but we couldn’t pick it out. It was, however, reliable for the GS Woodpeckers and the Tree Sparrows. On 28th we went with the group to Poynton Park to see if lots of eyes could spot the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers but to no avail. In fact there were fewer birds there than when we went on our own the previous week. From there we went on to nearby Bramhall Park where there are sometimes Kingfishers to be seen – but sadly not that day. There was a bit of a bird shortage here as well and the only notable bird was a Grey Wagtail which was a first for the year.