Bird Reports for February 2000
February: A very good month for observing winter roosts. The Starling roost along by Royal Terrace is particularly spectacular at this time of year attracting thousands of birds - this is due to the air temperature generally being a few degrees warmer in towns than in the open fields. Tits and other small birds all roost together in the cold February evenings, Pied Wagtails can often be found roosting in obvious places in town centres. Look out for Fieldfare and Redwing roosting in hedges or in dense shrubs. If we have a really cold spell this month please do not forget to feed your garden birds and do keep watch for unusual visitors in your garden as food may become harder to find in the open country.
08/02/00 - The first Waxing in Essex this year has been sighted at Clacton on Sea. Please look out for these magnificent birds closer to the Southend area and do let us know if you see any.
11/02/00 - Long Tailed Duck and Red Headed Smew both reported at Abberton Reservoir.
20/02/00 - The following species were observed at Wakering Stairs between 1000 and 1300 while the author was on the local Wetland Bird Survey: Avocet, Long Tailed Tit (x4). Sparrowhawk (1 male and one female) and one Long Eared Owl roosting in scrub behind the sea wall at the end of the M.O.D Wakering Stairs road. The Sparrowhawk was observed flying into a small recess in the sea wall very close to the observers, on closer inspection a headless Dunlin was found that had obviously been caught earlier. Reports have been received of at least nine Barn Owls and two Short Eared Owls in the River Crouch area. The Ring Billed Gull first reported in October is still being observed in its usual high tide roost at Uncle Tom's Cabin in Shoebury. There is usually a sizeable flock of Dunlin along with Sanderling that can be seen from the sea wall in this location.
20/02/00 - (from feedback) observed at Wat Tyler Country Park: Rough Legged Buzzard, Snipe, Bearded Tit, Egyptian Goose, Greenshank, Black Tailed Godwit. Observer R.Brown
20/02/00 - Magnificent views of a Barn Owl were had at Gunners Park at 1700 this evening. The bird has, evidently, been a regular sight for the past week at this time of the day hunting over the entire park area and is extremely accommodating and easy to see. The Owl appears to be a young bird with immaculate plumage and is most likely roosting in the old M.O.D concrete block alongside the sea wall. there is a strong possibility that this is the same bird that was observed on the 11th December 1999 at Wakering Stairs as this particular Owl has not been seen in this location for the past few weeks. Barn Owls in the local area appear to be having a good year so far, perhaps due to the mild winter.
23/02/00 - The Gunners Park Barn Owl has been showing extremely well for the past two evenings. To see this wonderful bird you need to be in the park from 15.30 onwards. The observer on this occasion was rewarded with the Owl sitting on a post not 15 feet from his car. February 2000 will definitely be known as the month of the Owl!
24/02/00 - (from feedback) Kingfisher and Stonechat (pr) seen today behind seawall in Gunners Park. Observer: Ken Morris.
25/02/00 - Observed from Southend Pier high tide roost: Purple Sandpiper, one Guillemot and four Mediterranean Gulls. Observer Pat Dandridge
26/02/00 - 1645. The Gunners Park Barn Owl was performing wonderfully yet again tonight. The Owl has become such a well known and regular feature of the park that it is now commanding its own very appreciative audience. If the Owl continues to make its home here, our local group will have to conduct a recruitment drive during the coming evenings!
27/02/00 - 1100. At least 400 Avocet were observed from the sea wall at Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury.
28/02/00 - A Rough Legged Buzzard has been reported showing well at Hamford water.