Eakring Bird news

February 1st

Some signs of wildfowl being affected elsewhere by the cold conditions, with four Wigeon, a pair of Goosander and 29 Teal on Eakring Flash early afternoon.

February 2nd

Five Goosander (four females and a drake) left Eakring Flash early morning today. Just four of yesterdays 29 Teal remained there, but little else was noted during the morning. Possibly the first signs of some cold weather movement over the coming days, with five Lapwing high south-west and another group of six south. A handful of Fieldfare also through high south-west.

February 4th

Very quiet in the area this morning, with a notable 250 Linnets in fields at Eakring Flash and two or three Common Buzzards around Lound Wood/Eakring Flash. 22 Common Gulls were in the same general area and 28 Fieldfare flew south.

February 5th

Some cold weather movement of Sky Larks through the area this morning, following overnight snow across much of the UK. An early morning visit was not thought worthwhile, and it was not until two groups of Sky Lark were noted moving south over Market Warsop, that a visit to Eakring was made. Very misty conditions with only limited visibility for much of the watch probably led to much reduced counts, but it is likely that movement was almost over by late morning. Several groups of Sky Lark totalled 225 south, with other counts including 17 Lapwing south and south-west and eight Pink-footed Geese east.

February 11th

The very cold weather continues with an early morning temperature of -11ºC, but signs of recent migration with two Woodcock at Eakring Flash. 140 Mallard and six Teal also there.

February 12th

Very quiet around the area again, but 14 Teal were on Eakring Flash this morning, where just a small area of water is free of ice. Marsh Tits included a single heard at Eakring Meadows and two in Lound Wood with the resident Tit flock.

February 27th

Large numbers of pre-migratory Fieldfare and Starling near Eakring Flash late morning, made more obvious by the hunting male Peregrine present. A conservative estimate of their numbers was 1,000 Fieldfare and 450 Starling. Two Shelduck were on Eakring Flash.

February 28th

Some signs of wildfowl moving now, with three Pochard present on Eakring Flash. The first Gadwall (a pair) of the year and the two Shelduck there.

February 29th

Still very quiet this morning. Nine Teal on Eakring Flash early morning, eventually left straight north. The first Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit of the Spring flew north-west.

Eakring Bird news
February 2012
Featuring news and sightings from Eakring