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February 2008
Although statistically February is the "pits" for rare birds, this month could still turn up a surprise or two. So don't give up hope if you have had your fill of wildfowl. A final cold snap might just push an overwintering Baillon's Crake into the open or drive a Brunnich's Guillemot into a northern harbour. More American waders could be found; probably a Long-billed Dowitcher and a Lesser Yellowlegs, but another Least Sandpiper might be appreciated.
Finding rare passerines might seem a lost cause but two overwintering garden-based Olive-backed Pipits in 1984 and 1997 should caution you from being too inobservant of the residents. And then there was that Ovenbird in Gloucestershire in 2002 !
Otherwise it's a case of contenting yourself, for another month or so, with a diet of rarer ducks and geese...and we might yet still get another Redhead or Bufflehead this winter.
But if what's out there can't fill your days then now might be the time to stake out a new bit of country in preparation for the spring. Dig out that old OS map, check those contours and build up your own birds-eye view of the land around you. Find a flyway, then get out there and check the lie of the land for real; sort out the different habitats; the fauna; decide where a rare pipit would land; where an overshooting mediterranean warbler would hole-up and then.. hold your nerve...keep watching it and you might just discover the joys of a local patch !
And what of February producing a mega - no chance !
February 2007: Britain’s second and third records of Pacific Diver, in South Wales and Cornwall, must have left birders wondering how many others had slipped through the net in years past. But the confiding White-billed Diver at Hayle, Cornwall left none of its admirers in doubt as to its identity. Cornwall also hosted Gyrfalcon, Dusky Warbler and a Spotted Sandpiper to make the long trek west worthwhile for many. The long staying Black-eared Kite remained in Norfolk, whilst two Snowy Owls took up winter residence on the Outer Hebrides.
February 2006: A small influx of Arctic Redpolls occurred with as many as ten individuals identified amongst flocks of Mealies. In South Yorkshire, a Common Rosefinch frequented a garden feeder for most of the month. Otherwise briders had to remain content with long-stayers, including two Forster's Terns in Ireland, up to four Penduline Tits in London and eight Cattle Egrets in East Sussex.
February 2005: The Waxwing invasion continued apace with perhaps as many as 30,000 birds in the British Isles. Two Little Buntings together in Worcestershire were about the best the southern half of the country could offer. Further north two American Coots and two White-billed Divers kept Scotland in the picture. Across the sea, Ireland seemed to have the run of the birds with Killdeer, Forster's Tern and Black Duck amongst others.
February 2004: A third American Coot was found in Dumfries and Galloway, whilst a Harlequin Duck found on the Outer Hebrides mid-month had actually arrived in January. The Rufous Turtle Dove from 2003 was relocated in Highland, whilst a Pine Bunting turned up in Norfolk at the end of the month.
February 2003: Most popular birds of the month were a dark-breasted Barn Owl in Norfolk and a Lesser White-fronted Goose in Gloucestershire. Irish birders were luckier however with a Thayer's Gull in Donegal and a Killdeer in Cork. North Yorkshire birders recorded a couple of White-billed Divers. Elsewhere, a Black Kite in Hampshire, a Little Bunting in the Forest of Dean and a Two-barred Crossbill in Buckinghamshire continued to over-winter.
February 2002 produced a totally unexpected Allen's Gallinule on Portland - unfortunately it was to die, weakened from its sea crossing, just hours after being found by a dog walker. Can you imagine the twitch for such a once-in-a-lifetime gallinule, had it recovered ! On a less depressing note, adult Ivory Gulls turned up in Wales and Lancashire and a Ross's Gull in Cornwall. An inland Olive-backed Pipit in Norfolk for most of the month was popular as was the sprightly overwintering Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler in Northumberland.
February 2001 is best forgotten - best bird was a Bonaparte's Gull in Somerset for most of the month - otherwise birders had to be content with long-stayers in the form of a Cattle Egret in West Sussex, Franklin's Gull in Devon, two Canvasbacks, several Black Ducks, Snow and vagrant Canada Geese and flocks of Waxwings.
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