February marks the end of the winter season and gives us a hint at the activity to come, in spring. Our followers reported seeing a lot more bird activity last month, with a number of you seeing large flocks of migrating Brent geese.
As we transition into spring, it’s a good time to remember that nesting season can actually start in February for some species, while March to August is the busiest time for nesting birds. The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) has made it illegal for individuals to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. We always recommend pruning hedgerows and trees outside of these months as much as possible, to avoid disrupting nests.
Read February’s results, below.
Species
Blackbird, Turdus merula: 6
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus: 4
Blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus: 5
Brent goose, Branta bernicla: 1200
Carrion crow, Corvus corone: 1
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis: 7
Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs: 1
Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto: 2
Curlew, Numenius arquata: 25
Dunnock, Prunella modularis: 2
Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis: 8
Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus: 1
Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major: 2
Great tit, Parus major: 1
Greenfinch, Chloris chloris: 2
Herring gull, Larus argentatus: 3
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus: 8
Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus: 1
Magpie, Pica pica: 1
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos: 42
Oyster catcher, Haematopus ostralegus: 10
Robin, Erithacus rubecula: 4
Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus: 1
Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus: 1
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris: 4
Woodpigeon, Columba palumbus: 5
Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes: 2
Photos submitted:
Keep sending in your submissions, and if you haven’t taken part already, please share your sightings with us – every record received helps us build a more accurate picture of the Manhood Peninsula*.
How can I get involved with this survey?
Sending us a record of your wildlife sightings is simple, just make a note of the date and location of the sighting, and use these notes to fill out a wildlife recording sheet. To download a wildlife recording sheet and see full details on how to submit records and photos, visit our Find Wildlife From Home survey page.
*This survey is specifically receiving submissions of wildlife sightings seen on the Manhood Peninsula, below Chichester, which includes the parishes of Apuldram, Donnington, Earnley, East Wittering & Bracklesham, Hunston, North (and South) Mundham, Selsey, Sidlesham, West Wittering, West Itchenor and Birdham.