Out before the deluge

I have been tied up weekdays for 2 weeks and it is unlikely to change anytime soon, so I did get out for about an hour from 09:00, heading straight down to LFGP.

A Little Egret flew downstream after spotting me, at the outer gate I realised I couldn't remember the code. Brian sent it to me and I was soon in, watching not a lot, but a male Goldeneye went over towards DP.

I headed off back towards DP, but half way before the green bridge a pair of Mandarin flew along side me, then arched over towards the SW corner, turning back and continuing beyond LFGP.

A lone Siskin over, then on to Sandford, which was covered ducks, so a count was in order, 112 Pochard, 1 female Red-crested Pochard as usual and an impressive 346 Gadwall, probably more.

With little will to trudge thru more mud, I decided to quit there.

Looking back in the archives, I have found this Mandarin record is the first in February since a female on a flooded Tern scrape 13th 2009, with a pair 18th 2008, that flew down the Loddon. You have to go all the way back to 1991 for the next record, of 2 but no other details.

I more than suspect that Mandarin is around much more than we record it, as today's record shows they are often just in flight and can often be tricky to clinch while doing so, these two were calling too, which always helps.

So year list wise, 91 for the park is now equal third highest year list in all February's, by all I mean since around 2002, when I began meticulous recording of each species. It is equal with 2002, 2003, 2008 & 2013.

Of the few we are missing, namely Meadow Pipit, Med Gull, Blackcap, none are guaranteed, but Mipit should be considered highly likely. 4 Feb's since 2006 have had Med, 2013 & 2014 had Blackcap.

Not missing, but expected somewhat is Redshank, it has been recorded 7 February's since 2005 and it was only last year that it didn't show til March, having been seen 5 consecutive years.

So what can we at least dream about this month?

Feb 22nd 1987 - The only Red Throated Diver
Feb 11th to Mar 10th 1987 - The 2nd and last Slavonian Grebe
Feb 21st 1989 - Shag
Feb 28th to Mar 1st 1984 - The 2nd and last Pink-footed Goose
Feb 3rd 1985 - 2 White-fronted Goose over
Feb 2nd 1987 - The last day of 15 day stay for a Brent Goose
Feb 18th to Mar 11th 1988 - A female Ferruginous Duck stayed on BSL
Feb 28th 2000 - Scaup
Feb - Many Smew records
Feb 17th to Mar 3rd 1979 - Red Breasted Merganser
Feb 15th & 27th 1992 - Jack Snipe
Feb 9th to 16th 1999 - Jack Snipe - 2/13th
Feb 3rd & 5th 2008 - Jack Snipe
Feb 20th & 21st 2010 - Jack Snipe
Feb 9th 19th 2013 - Jack Snipe - 2/18th & 19th
Feb 2nd 1985 - Greenshank
Feb 5th to 22nd 1999 - Firecrest around Sandford
Jan to Apr 11th 1984 - Tree Sparrow flock feeding at DP main centre
Feb 3rd & 17th 1985 - 1 Tree Sparrow
Fe 11th 1984 - Yellowhammer