What to see in February

There are few flowers to be found, but Gorse is nearly always in bloom and Common Whitlowgrass (a tiny white grassland flower), Groundsel and Daisies may be in flower. During warm weather some of the early butterflies may be tempted to emerge from hibernation, look for Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. A few moths may also be on the wing on milder nights such as Herald and Angle Shades.

Despite the short days some birds will have started their breeding season – Ringed Plovers will be displaying on the beach, Great Crested Grebes will be going through their elaborate courtship on the pits and the Cormorants will be nesting at Castle Water. Hundreds of wading birds such as Oystercatcher and Dunlin feed along the shore and congregate to roost at high tide, and gull numbers will be starting to build up - listen out for Mediterranean Gulls and look for Black-headed Gulls getting their brown hood.

There will be many ducks in the wetlands, especially Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, and a few Pintail, but a rare one to look out for is the Smew. In freezing weather flocks of birds may depart (e.g. Lapwing, Golden Plover and Skylark), but others may arrive (e.g. such as White-fronted Geese). Offshore, Great Crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver and Guillemot may be fishing and rafts of Common Scoter may be swimming in long black lines, sometimes accompanied by Eider. Gannets and flocks of Brent Geese may already be starting their eastward return passage to their breeding grounds.

At Castle Water, especially near the viewpoint, there may be wintering Stonechats and Chiffchaff. In the reeds look and listen for Cetti’s Warbler, Water Rail and Bearded Tit. Dusk is a good time to see the Little Egrets, Bittern and even Great White Egret.