59 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in February 2019. No new species were added to the list which remains at 244 species. There were first of the year sightings for Great Egret, Marsh Harrier and Common Kingfisher. There were first of spring records for Great Spotted Cuckoo, Red-rumped Swallow and Barn Swallow. A list of the birds seen with comments follows. One or two Northern Gannets were seen off shore this month, normal numbers. Great Cormorants were seen daily on Moors rock, and on rocky outlets along the coast. A total 50 of birds passed through this month. Grey Heron one flew south on the 27th, the only sighting of the month. Three Great Egrets at Capycorp lagoon on the 28th were the first this year. One or two Little Egrets were seen daily along the coast.. Three birds flew east on the 8th February. Up to 10 Cattle Egrets were seen daily in the rural farmland. A Marsh Harrier flying east on the 18th was the first this year. One Sparrowhawk was still wintering in the area, as were one or two Common Buzzards. Up to four pairs of resident Common Kestrel were seen through out the month. There were still up to 10 Common Moorhens wintering at Torre estate pond. Their numbers will drop soon as a dominant pair take over the pond to nest. Up to 20 Golden Plovers were still wintering in the rural farmland. A Green Sandpiper was seen twice at Torre estate pond. There were still up to 310 Wood Pigeons roosting in the juvenile camp pine trees.Numbers will drop next month as pairs spread out to breed. Collared Dove numbers had dropped already as they were seen display flighting. Maximum 88 birds. The first Great Spotted Cuckoo arrived on the 27th February. One or two resident Little Owls were seen or heard daily. A Kingfisher at Torre pond on the 15th was the first this year. Resident Hoopoes were getting into nesting mode with up to three birds heard hoop hooping. There was still at least one Wryneck wintering in the coastal scrubland. Up to 17 Magpies were still using the juvenile camp roost, but other birds were nest building. Wintering Wood Larks were still being seen in good numbers, with up to 20 birds noted. Wintering Skylarks on the other hand were in lower numbers, maximum 15 birds. Resident Crested Larks numbers were normal with up to eight birds seen in the rural farmland. Wintering Crag Martins were seen up to the 14th, maximum nine birds. The first spring migrant this year was a Red-rumped Swallow, seen on the 12th February. The first Barn Swallow arrived on the 13th February. With the continuing mild weather conditions small birds such as the warblers were in good numbers. Up to 23 Common Chiffchaffs, the odd bird was heard calling it´s typical Chiff, Chiff Chaff. Resident Zitting Cisticolas were still in very low numbers only one or two seen daily. Up to 18 wintering Blackcaps were seen daily, like the Chiffchaff, the odd bird was heard singing. One or two wintering Dartford Warblers were still seen in the coastal scrubland. Resident Sardinian Warblers were getting ready for the nesting season, with up to 12 birds seen daily. Up to nine wintering Robins and Stonechats were seen daily. A maximum of 23 wintering Black Redstarts were seen daily, females outnumbering males by about 10 to 1. One or two resident Blackbirds were seen daily, outnumbered by wintering Song Thrush with a maximum of 15 birds. One to three wintering Grey Wagtails were seen daily, along the coast, at Capycorp lagoon and Torre estate pond. Resident White Wagtail numbers were increased by winters birds, especially when fields were being ploughed. Maximum 25 birds. Wintering Meadow Pipit numbers were just above average, with a maximum of 70 birds counted. Up to seven wintering Reed Buntings were noted in the rural farmlands. Wintering Chaffinch numbers had increased since last month, with up to 155 birds seen daily. Up to seven pairs of resident Greenfinches were starting to display and making their typical swee call note. Resident Goldfinch numbers were swollen by some immigrant birds, maximum of 60 birds. Wintering Linnet numbers also reached a maximum of 60 birds. Resident Serins were also displaying and getting ready for the nesting season,with up to 14 pairs being noted. Alcossebre Weather in February 2019.
In common with the rest of Europe this was a record breaking month in terms of weather, with above average daytime temperatures and no rain. The first week in February was mainly fine and sunny, albeit in four days we had high thin cloud, which cleared away. There was a moderate to strong northerly wind in the first three days, thereafter light to gentle winds. Temperatures were 1C below the night average and 2 C abobe the day average. The second week in February was fine and sunny with light to gentle winds. Temperatures remained cool at night, 2 C below average, but average daytime temperature - 15C. The third week in February started off dull and overcast with high humidity - 87%, but the rest of the week was fine and sunny. Winds were light to gentle, north east in the morning and east to south east in the afternoons. Temperatures were 2C below night average and 4C above the day average. The fourth week in February continued with high humidity in the early mornings, drying later in the fine and warm sunshine. Winds were again light to gentle through out. Temperatures were 1C below night but 7C above the day average! Average day temperature was 18C (64F). Average night temperature was 5C (41F). Highest day temperature was 24C (75F) on the 22nd, 27th and 28th. Highest night temperature was 12C (53F) on the 1st. Coldest day temperature was 13C (55F) on the 3rd. Coldest night temperature was 2C (35F) on the 7th. There was no rain through out the month - average rainfall for February is 2.7 inches.
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