2007 - FEBRUARY SIGHTINGS

Fair Isle Summary February 2007

February 2007: Highlights: Two first-winter Iceland Gulls were present all month with a second-winter (1^st-5^th) and a first-winter Glaucous Gull (1^st). An extraordinary influx of Common Redpolls began (22^nd) with a peak count of 45 (25^th) – however over 70 have been trapped and ringed. A Long-eared Owl was flushed from the Gully (17^th).

Common Redpoll Photo by Paul Baxter

Single Pinkfooted and Greenland Whitefronted Geese remained with the wintering Greylag flock (105). Some movement saw the latter peak at 131 (17^th) when a Whooper Swan also flew through. Returning waders trickled through during the month but increased in the last week with peaks of 86 Oystercatcher (24^th), 80 Lapwing (25^th) and 34 Ringed Plover (28^th). The wintering Shoveler and borealis Northern Eider were spotted occasionally. ‘Spring’ migration saw the first four Skylarks (13^th), increasing to 21 (17^th) and 120 by 25^th – very good numbers so early in the year. Also, an early Stonechat (19^th), increased to six by 25^th and the first Pied Wagtail arrived (24^th), when a Siskin was also seen. Finally, a Wood Pigeon was new for the year on 28^th.

Deryk Shaw

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Last modified: 15 August, 2008   Further information about Fair Isle at: www.fairisle.org.uk