Reserve: Belvide

With thanks to Steve Nuttall for collating the Belvide Bird Blog.

Month Overview

February at Belvide delivered an outstanding mix of winter wildfowl, early spring arrivals, and an unexpected late‑month spectacle: the sudden formation of a massive Starling murmuration, peaking at an estimated 35,000–40,000 birds. Rare geese, impressive raptor activity, and several first‑of‑the‑year records made this one of the most eventful Februarys in recent years.

Monthly Highlights

Siberian Chiffchaff remained between West End Hide and Gazebo Bay.

White‑fronted Geese movements: 77 on 8 Feb; 55 on 14 Feb.

Tundra Bean Geese: five birds from 11–14 Feb; single Bean Goose on 28 Feb.

Caspian Gull (2nd winter) regular throughout the month; Mediterranean Gull on 1 & 7 Feb.

Starling murmuration built rapidly, peaking at 40,000 on 27 Feb (Scott Hide focus).

Raptors

Goshawk: juveniles regular; up to six displaying birds on 14 Feb.

Red Kite: seen frequently (often 1–2).

Peregrine: adult and juvenile birds noted through the month.

Wildfowl & Waterbirds

Goldeneye peak of 72 on 1 Feb.

Teal up to 366; Wigeon up to 279 (WeBS counts).

Pintail max 8 on 2 Feb;

Goosander regular up to 6.

Great Egret on 7 & 28 Feb; up to seven Little Egrets.

Waders

Oystercatcher present all month, peaking at 14.

Lapwing peak of 310 (19 Feb).

Golden Plover first of year on 14 Feb; other singles noted.

Redshank first of year on 22 Feb.

Curlew 6 on 9 Feb.

Dunlin on 4 & 28 Feb.

Black‑tailed Godwit on 8 & 11 Feb.

Snipe 17 on 1 Feb.

Passerines & Others

Cetti’s Warbler singing on several dates.

Chiffchaff first of year on 22 Feb. Siberian‑type bird also present late month.

Stonechat up to 4 (28 Feb).

Siskin up to 70 (1 Feb).

Linnet 40 (22 Feb).

Lesser Redpoll (24 Feb).

Yellowhammer first of year on 16 Feb.

Starling Murmuration – Key Counts

25 Feb: 25,000–30,000

26 Feb: ~35,000

27 Feb: ~40,000

28 Feb: 15,000–20,000

Key Moments of the Month

1 Feb – Mediterranean Gull; Caspian Gull; Goldeneye peak (72).

8 Feb – 77 White‑fronted Geese; two Caspian Gulls.

11–14 Feb – Five Tundra Bean Geese; 14 Feb also six Goshawks and 55 White‑fronts.

22 Feb – First Chiffchaff and Redshank of the year.

25–28 Feb – Starling roost explodes to 30–40k birds (Scott Hide).

28 Feb – Siberian Chiffchaff, juvenile female Goshawk, Bean Goose, Great Egret.