February Patch Update

 

February usually heralds the arrival of wildfowl on the patch, and our regular Canada Geese did not disappoint us, first appearing on the 4^th and continuing to be recorded in every week of the month. The pair of Goosander first seen in mid-January returned to Setley pond on 4^th February, this time staying just long enough to enable a rather distant record shot. On the same day a group of 4 Mute Swans over Setley Plain were a new bird for the patch, bringing the life-list up to 111 species.  Sadly, that was as good as it got, as far as Setley Pond activity was concerned – even a few early starts hoping to arrive before the dog walkers and remote-controlled boats-people couldn’t produce more than a few Mallards, or an occasional Grey Heron and Cormorant. A Little Egret, overhead on the 25^th was the only other water bird of note this month.

Goosander Pair on Setley Pond

The heath and woodland areas were similarly quiet, although Song and Mistle Thrush were in good voice in several locations across the patch throughout February, along with yaffling Green and drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Redwings generally outnumbered Fieldfare, although both were fewer in number than previous years. A flock of 30 Fieldfare on the football pitches on the 15^th was the only notable group of winter thrushes this month. Ravens have also started to become more active, as in previous years at this time, with a group of up to 7 seen overhead on several occasions.

The low numbers of Stonechat on the heathland, as previously note in January, continued in the early part of the month. Observations from other New Forest patch birders have suggested that this pattern was not confined to our area with lower numbers also being recorded in the New Forest Winter Bird survey this year. Thankfully, they seem now to be returning, with our first double figure count on the 19^th and several pairs were noted  to be starting to set up territories at the usual locations as the weather became milder. Linnets and Skylark are also starting to sing, although we have not seen or heard Woodlark so far this year despite reports in other forest locations. Another notable absentee has been Marsh Tit; in previous years we had regular sightings at various woodland locations throughout the winter, but so far 2023 has produced neither sight nor sound. It will be interesting to see whether lower numbers are recorded in the Marsh Tit survey being conducted by the Hampshire Ornithological Society in the coming months, or whether this simply reflects relocation of our previous birds.

Overall, 2023 has been a little disappointing so far, with peak species counts in the low 40s, well short of last February's high of 50. But Spring is just around the corner and we remain optimistic for the coming weeks. March often brings more duck movement, so we will continue to keep our eyes open for our first patch Teal or Tufted duck – and perhaps a Coot or Moorhen will return to the pond. We also look forward to welcoming back our Curlew and Lapwing, with the hope of successful breeding on the patch this year. 

As usual, full counts can be found on the ebird website by searching for the New Forest NP - Sway Heathland 'hotspot' or by clicking on this link: 

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L12697095