Nosterfield NR February 2023 Bird and Natural History Review
I live in constant anticipation of good stuff. It's not being 'Pollyanna' about things, but most stories don't have the ending we would give them right away. The better endings come later. Bob Goff
The Birdy Bit
As I started to pen this month’s round up, I had a feeling there wasn't much to write. Was this because I have been doing another area as a project for 2023, or was something very different?
A quick look at the data cleared everything up; the birding gods had not voted in our favour. In February 2021, 96 species were recorded and February 2022 was outstanding, with an unbelievable 105 species recorded in the area! This year we are well down, with a measly 71 species being recorded.
To continue the morose theme, ravages of Avian ‘flu continue, with another Mute Swan found dead and noticeably less of this species around.
I do not propose to string this blog entry out as, with luck, future months will compensate with bumper crops of good birds to provide 'copy'.
On the upside there were many quite positive things going on.
A rather smart Song Thrush in the Flasks Lane area Photo: Mike Smithson
Eurasian White-Fronted Goose Photo: Tim Jones
Regarding star birds, trends and continuity were the name of the game, with Cetti’s Warbler and Tawny Owl being regular performers throughout the month. Last year’s Whooper Swan bird-day total of 169 stood in stark contrast to this year’s peak day count of 11, all on 6th.
Arguably the 'quality' birds of the month included a colour-ringed Oystercatcher (originally ringed at Dawlish Warren, Devon in 2018) and the Eurasian White-fronted Goose present on and off throughout the month, ranging between the Reserve and the fields to the north of Flasks Lake.
The colour-ringed Oystercatcher Photo: Tim Jones
The volume of visible migration was markedly down, partly due to the reduced coverage in this specialised area - with 4297 birds recorded as moving in February 2022, versus 230 recorded as such this year. As with last year, the 'bulk' species recorded moving was Pink-footed Goose.
February has done well for numbers of wetland species, with peak numbers of 148 Gadwall, 606 Wigeon, 25 Pochard and 54 Goldeneye - all totals much better than last year. A count of 2818 Lapwing on 8th was more than three times last year’s best count for the month.
On an equally positive note, a Chiffchaff on 4th, Whimbrel coming into roost with 332 Curlew on 11th, a female Blackcap at the sewage works and a Lesser Black-backed Gull moving north on 25th gave positive spring vibes, in preparation for March.
Bits and Bobs
Mammals noted included the ever-present Hares, Rabbits and some really good performances from a rather gymnastic Stoat.
Stoat action Photos: Tim Jones
Gorse Shieldbug Photo: Ken Limb
And on the insect front, the first Gorse Shieldbug of the year was photographed on the path to the North Lake screen on 23rd.
Andrew Hanby, on behalf of the Nosterfield Naturalists, 28th February 2023