After finding the Iceland Gull on the 11th Feb', things quietened down a tad but there were definitely more birds around, I had flushed a couple of Woodcock and there was an increase in Meadow Pipits. Out to sea I picked up on a single Curlew and Fulmar passed every time I birded off the cliffs. Also on the same day as the Curlew I saw a Red Kite heading east out to sea, followed by another one some time later but his one was hugging the coastline and flew overhead.
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
In the photo below I was watching a Muntjac deer creep through the reeded area below feeding away, it was then that I picked up on a Water Rail squealing, no doubt unhappy about the intruder heading it's way.
On most days one or 2 Muntjac could be seen along the cliff slopes or resting up under a bush. I presume this is the same pair that are leaving hoof imprints all over the place!
Muntjac
In the photo below you can see the males fang protruding.
During February we had some stunning warm weather, and with that came a lot more bird activity, Chiffchaffs started to call, Stonechats were on the move and scattered around, butterflies took to the wing with Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell seen. Out to sea I picked up on 2 Ringed Plover heading east and nearing the end of the month a couple of Peregrine Falcons flew in over the sea and headed inland, followed shortly thereafter by a lovely female Marsh Harrier scouring the clifftop scrub before heading inland. On a morning dog walk we saw a pair of Grey Partridge, the first for the year and nice to see they escaped the winter shooting.
Female Marsh Harrier
My garden mothing got off to a start too, I managed to get just 4 moths but 3 different species. To think that February last year brought knee deep snow around the Trimingham lanes and we had been basking in glorious sun, lets hope the change back to normal weather doesn't risk those species brought out by the heat.
Common Quaker
Common Quaker
Hebrew Character
Dotted Border
