Extended easterlies made for difficult field conditions but saw Slavonian Grebe recorded daily up until 5th while the Red-necked Grebe remained elusive, logged on 1st, 8th and 12th Feb! A single Golden Plover on 19th represent only notable wader appearance beyond the overwintering Woodcock, Jack Snipe and Common Snipe. Teal were present throughout, peaking at 5 male and 3 female on Pondsbury. Kittiwake were recorded daily, with day counts maxing out at 1,668 and 727 individuals, most of which involved in mega feeding frenzies of the east coast. Slight Common Gull passage detected in early February peaked at six individuals on 1st. From single figure auk counts in early February, it was great to enjoy over 3,000 Guillemot back on breeding ledges from 17th, while Razorbill numbers peaked at 506 on 22nd. Red-throated Diver were present off the SW and SW coasts between 4-16th, involving at least three different birds while Great Northern Diver were logged daily up to 19th when island coverage waned. A single Cormorant on 3rd became the first record of the year and the appearance of a male Kestrel over Millcombe on 12th was a welcome arrival to the island. The overwintering female Merlin has been sighted sporadically around southern half of the island throughout the month.
Turning to passerines, Skylarks have been being recorded daily from 3rd as breeding birds filter back on to territories and the overwintering Chiffchaff continued to frequent the Millcombe/village area up to 22nd. While Quarter Wall Copse is criminally under-watched, coverage on 11th resulted in detecting the overwintering Goldcrest. Starling maxima counts peaked at 124 on 5th & 18th. Black Redstart records were restricted to Benjamin's Chair and Pilot's Quay from 11-16th. Single Grey Wagtail sightings on 17th and 19th February became the first records of the year. A male Snow Bunting present at Halfway Wall up to 16th, supplemented by a small flock of three birds near the Old Hospital on 1st and 9th.