Monthly report February 2019
General: coverage and weather:
Average temperature was 5.3 degC, 3.5 degC over the normal. Highest temperature was 8.1 degC (13th), and lowest 1.9 degC (11th). Total precipitation was 100.0mm. Most precipitation in one day was 11.5mm (10th). Highest wind speed was 21.7 m/s (10th). The total number of species for February ended on 59 versus 43 in February the previous year.
Raptors:
All three expected raptor species were registered during the month. There was only a single record of Sparrowhawk during the month on the 5th, while White-tailed Eagle was only noted with single birds early in the month, while Peregrine Falcon were noted with various reports through the whole month.
Shorebirds:
The Mute Swan from 2017 was still present. The two Greylag Geese from January increased to five from the 14th and then eight towards the end of the month. A Red-necked Grebe was stationary outside Jupevikshaugen between the 20th and 24th. A Great Northern Diver was at the same location on the 21st. Otherwise there was little movement on the sea with 30 Fulmar on the 19th, four Puffin on the 20th, singles of Little Auk and the 19th and 21st as well as double figures of Guillemot and Razorbill in the same period.
Passerines:
Generally few passerines of note in the field. Two single Stonechats were seen at Koltemyr, a female on the 19th and a male on the 23rd. The years’ first Skylarks were noted on the 19th when six were at Pedlestemmen. Two Rooks arrived on the 24th with three the next day. One of these remained until the end of the month.
Ringing:
No ringing activity during the month.
Year ticks:
There were 18 new species for the year: Song Thrush (3rd), Sparrowhawk (5th), Fulmar (15th), Meadow Pipit, Woodpigeon, Lapwing and Oystercatcher (16th), Lesser-black Backed Gull (18th), Stonechat, Skylark, Little Auk, Guillemot and Razorbill (19th), Red-necked Grebe and Puffin (20th), Great Northern Diver and Mallard (21st and Rook (23rd).
Rarities/local scarcities:
The 15th record of Red-necked Grebe, the last being in September 2014