Join us as we explore the fascinating world of bird arrivals and departures in February. Discover which winter residents are still around, which new visitors might appear, and which birds are beginning their journey north. Learn about the diverse species you can spot in London, from common gulls to rare migrants like the woodlark and Bewick swans.
Don't miss this captivating look at the dynamic movements of our feathered friends as they navigate the changing seasons. Return on February 4th for an in-depth exploration of bird life in the heart of winter!
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Bird arrivals and departures
The birds most likely to be seen this month are the same winter residents that could be seen in January. However, there may be some new arrivals, particularly if there is bad weather. These will be birds looking for food and shelter. Departures are more common than last month, as some birds are already sensing the end of winter and have already started to move north towards their breeding areas. Then there are just other birds passing through on their northern migration.
Sewage farms, as they are not allowed to freeze over, are usually home to large numbers of gulls and much smaller numbers of waders. In among the throngs of blackheaded gulls there are often smaller groups of herring gulls, as well as lesser and greater black-backed. In fact at this time of year all our common gulls can be seen quite centrally, even congregating on small islands outside Lambeth palace. Stood there they can be identified by their leg colour alone i.e. black headed – red, herring – pink, lesser black backed – yellow, greater black backed is similar in colour to a herring gull but is by far the biggest bird around. Common gulls, who have greenish yellow legs, have already started to move north. Other birds doing the same are kestrels, sparrowhawks, grey wagtails and golden plovers.
Most of our migrants at this time come from eastern Europe, but wheatears, which may arrive at the end of the month, may have travelled around the whole world to get here. Winter rafts of wildfowl may also now be starting to split up. Goldeneye, smew, pintail, red-breasted merganser, goosander and brent geese may all have started to leave. Goldeneye and smew are often in flocks which suddenly disappear overnight. Other species, such as goosander and the red-breasted merganser, seem to disappear one at a time. However, a sudden deterioration in the weather can result in even more wigeon arriving from as far afield as Iceland or even Siberia.
Rare Birds
February, like January, is a good month for rarities. In large flocks of gulls it is always worth looking out for yellow-legged, Mediterranean, glaucous and Icelandic gulls, all of which make occasional appearances. Similarly, divers such as red-throated, black-throated and black-necked are all regularly recorded, as well as rare grebes such as red-necked and black-necked. Other rarities recorded from time to time in and around the estuary are scaup, common scoter, ruff, grey phalarope and little stint. Unusual geese that might also be seen could include white-fronted and pink-footed and there may even be a small party of Bewick swans that fly by.
On open land, grey partridges, twite and merlin are also all possibilities. The song of the rare woodlark used to be regarded by many naturalists as the greatest sound of February. Gilbert White wrote “While high in the air and poised upon his wings, unseen, the soft enamour’d woodlark sings”. Woodlarks used to be heard on Headley Heath and even in Richmond Park, but sadly no more. They were last heard in Richmond Park in 1943.
The two shrikes, red-backed and great grey are now worth seeking out on any of the large heaths outside London, as are crossbills in pinetums. Some other rare birds worth keeping an eye out for in their preferred habitats include hawfinch, waxwing, bearded tit, firecrest, reed bunting, willow tit, great northern diver, long-tailed duck, Caspian tern and even pomarine skua.
