February’s Bird Survey

Date: February 13th 2016, 09: 10 – 11:25

by Erica, Amanda, Anne and Terry

A cold and clear day with a slight breeze only with a little sunshine later in the morning.Temperature 2°C

Robin 8

Blue Tit 10

Dunnock 5

Woodpigeon 27

Wren 4

Blackbird 14

Song Thrush  7

Collared Dove 5

Magpie 27

Greenfinch 21

Reed Bunting 2

Bullfinch 11

Black-headed Gull 2

Chaffinch 8

Long-tailed Tit 1

Great Tit 9

Goldfinch 12

Moorhen 2

Mallard 2

House Sparrow 5

Carrion Crow 7

Buzzard 1

Kestrel 1

Mute Swan 2

Meadow Pipit 5

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Teal 2

 27 species in all

Another enjoyable days birding but with 3 less species than in January, paths and fields still muddy but not waterlogged;  the majority of birds were noted in transects 2, 3, 4 and 7.

 Nice to have the first record of Meadow Pipits and the welcome increase in Song Thrush sightings; a bird that has seen a major decline in numbers in the last forty years and is on the RSPB’s red list, but which is hopefully making a come back. These thrushes are very vocal at present with birds claiming their territories.

 Mammals

 Only one Grey Squirrel seen during this month’s survey, although there are plenty about. A field vole was seen briefly in transect 9.