This was the warmest and driest February since 2016.
The first week in February had only one fine, sunny day on the 1st. The rest of the week had high thin cloud cover. There were three days with moderate winds. Temperatures were 5C above the day average and 4C above the night average. The second week in February was mixed with three days of overcast and dull conditions. There were four days with sunny/cloudy spells. There was some light rain on the 12th February. There were moderate to strong winds on three days. Temperatures were again above average. 3C above the day and 1C above the night average. The third week in February was poor with only the 16th having fine, sunny weather. The other six days were mainly cloudy and dull. There were two days with thick mist – unusual here. Winds were light or gentle, with the exception of the 25th which had a strong north easterly wind most of the day. Temperatures were 3C above the day average and 1C above the night average. The fourth week in February continued with mainly cloudy conditions, but very mild for the time of year. There was some light rain on the afternoon of the 28th. Winds were light or gentle throughout. Temperatures were 3C above the day average and 1C above the night. Average day temperature was 18C (64F). Average night temperature was 8C (46F). Highest day temperature was 26C (78F) on the 1st and 2nd. Highest night temperature was 16C (60F) on the 1st. Coldest day was 14C (57F) on the 14th. Coldest night was 6C (42F) over six nights. Total Rainfall was 1.5 inches (38mm) over three days. The average rainfall for February is 2.8 inches.
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55 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in February 2021. A full list of birds with comments follow. One to two Mallard were seen at the Torre estate pond. There was only sighting of Red-legged Partridge on the 12th February. Now that the hunting season is over, should be more sightings. The same comment applies to Ring-necked Pheasant, only one seen, on the 24th February. Great Cormorants were seen daily at three roost sights, Moors rock, the Juvenile camp rock roost and Capycorp beach. 42 birds flew east on the 27th February. One or two Little Egrets were seen along the coast or Torre estate pond. 8 birds flew east on the 20th February. One to three Cattle Egrets were seen in the Rural farmlands through out the month. Six species of bird of prey were seen this month. A female Marsh Harrier was seen on the 27th February, hunting over the Rio San Miquel dry river bed. Single female Hen Harriers were seen on the 14th and 24th February. Only one Northern Sparrowhawk was seen, on the 6th February. One or two Common Buzzards continue to winter, mainly seen in the Rural farmlands. One Booted Eagle continues to winter, seen soaring above El Pinar and the local farmlands. Up to five resident Common Kestrels were seen daily. A pair were seen displaying on the 27th February, prior to nesting. A maximum of 16 Common Moorhens continue to winter at Torre estate pool. No wading birds were seen this month – unusual. Good numbers of Gull were seen daily, especially at the roost site of Capycorp beach. A maximum of seven Black-headed Gulls were well out numbered by Mediterranean Gulls with a maximum of 180 birds counted on the 27th February. Up to 12 Audoiun´Gulls and 21 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen daily. Sandwich Terns roosted with the gulls at Capycorp beach, with a maximum of 87 birds counted. Good numbers of Common Wood Pigeon continue to winter – maximum 172 birds. Resident Collared Doves numbers reached 95 birds, again good numbers. Up to three resident Little Owls were seen daily, mainly in the Rural farmlands. Single wintering Common Kingfishers were seen, either at Capycorp lagoon or the Torre estate pond. Up to three resident Hoopoes were seen daily – low numbers for here. One Southern Grey Shrike continues to winter, in the dry river bed Rio San Miquel. Common Magpies were preparing to nest with up to 14 pairs seen daily. Up to nine resident Crested Larks were seen daily, mainly in the Rural farmlands. Wintering Skylark numbers were low with only a maximum of seven birds noted. The wintering Wood Larks had disappeared, none seen this month. Wintering Crag Martins were much more common in the centre of Alcossebre than in the rural farmlands, up to 80 birds seen preparing to roost in the apartment blocks. The pair of Coal Tits seen last month were seen again in the almond groves. Resident Great Tits were heard calling loudly and displaying, prior to nesting. Maximum six birds. Wintering Common Chiffchaffs were still in low numbers, with only a maximum of 5 birds noted. Resident Zitting Cisticolas were also in low numbers – one or two birds seen daily. In total contrast, wintering Blackcaps are in record numbers, with up to 56 birds counted daily. No wintering Dartford Warblers were seen this month. Resident Sardinian Warblers were in good numbers, up to 12 birds seen daily. Only a maximum of five wintering Robins were noted, low numbers. Wintering Black Redstarts were in higher numbers, up to 14 seen daily. Females outnumbering males by about five to one. 11 wintering Stonechats were seen daily, mainly along the coastal scrublands. The female Blue Rock Thrush continues to winter on her favourite stone tower. Resident Common Blackbirds were scarce with only single birds seen. Wintering Song Thrush numbers were better – up to 14 birds seen daily. Most birds could be heard singing on milder mornings. There were still 00´s of Common Starlings wintering, out numbering the resident Spotless Starlings. Single wintering Grey Wagtails were seen up to the 14th February. Resident White Wagtail numbers were supplemented by winter birds – maximum 15 birds. Meadow Pipits were wintering in good numbers, up to 30 birds counted. No Cirl or Rock Buntings were seen this month. Up to 14 Reed Buntings continue to winter, most of them females. Only a single Corn Bunting was seen, poor for here. Wintering Common Chaffinches were in good numbers up to 82 birds counted. Resident Greenfinches were preparing to nest, calling loudly and displaying – maximum of 11 pairs seen daily. Resident Goldfinch (max 46 birds), Linnet (max 20 birds) and Serin ( max 40 birds) had still numbers of wintering birds increasing their numbers. Weather Report to follow.
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