| February
1st |
| Amongst a
relatively varied selection of wildfowl on Eakring Flash
were 20 Gadwall, two Wigeon and a female
Goosander. Wigeon are rare here during
the early months of the year and this record is
particularly notable. Elsewhere in the area were seven
Snipe and a Common Buzzard over Eakring Meadows, whilst
the mixed finch/bunting flock was still favouring the
set-aside field along the Kneesall Road and the regular
Little Owl nearby (per Tony Wardell and Robin Brace) |
| |
| February
3rd |
| A Little
Grebe was at Eakring Flash, but the area is currently
very quiet. |
| |
| February
5th |
| Eakring
Flash held 24 Gadwall late morning, with a Water
Rail calling there |
| |
| February
6th |
| Several
flocks of Fieldfare in the area this morning, with 150+
around both Eakring Field Farm and Tug Bridge Farm, with
another 75 around the Poplar Plantation just south of
Leyfields. At least 130 Chaffinches were in fields at
Park Farm, with two Common Buzzards at nearby Hare Hill
Wood. |
| |
| February
7th |
| Rather
quiet once again, but a possible Merlin flew low
south-west over fields near Tug Bridge Farm. Small
numbers of Snipe are at traditional sites in the area (per
Tony Wardell and Robin Brace) |
| |
| February
12th |
| 82 Pink-footed
Geese flew west at 10:05am. At Eakring Flash,
two Water Rail were calling frequently
with three Goosander there. Coots
continue to arrive back in the area, with now seven at
the same site today. |
| |
| February
14th |
| A female Goosander
was at Eakring Flash this morning, with a Water
Rail at the southern-end (per Tony Wardell
and Robin Brace) |
| |
| February
19th |
| Very
quiet in the area this morning, but there was a
north-westerly movement of Pink-footed Geese.
Three skiens, totalling 391 birds flew over the area in
groups of 269 (07:55am) 83 (08:20am) and then a further
39 at 09:30am. |
| |
| February
21st |
| A Lesser-spotted
Woodpecker was in trees near Eakring Flash and
the pastures area this morning (per Tony Wardell and
Robin Brace) It was seen to head off east, following
the line of roadside trees. This is a typical sighting of
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker here. All birds (except the
1997 Lound Wood birds) have come in this fashion. The
species is still very rare here, but this sighting,
coupled with singles in January and December of last
year, indicates a distinct upturn in sightings. A Golden
Plover flock in the Red Hill area, was rather mobile and
held at least 60 birds. |
| |
| February
26th |
| 25 Teal
and 10 Coot were at the partially frozen Eakring Flash
this morning. In the set-aside field along the Kneesall
Road, were a variety of species, including good-sized
flocks of Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and Fieldfare, eight
Stock Doves and smaller numbers of other common species.
Song Thrushes seem to have increased again at most sites. |
