🐦⬛ Garden nature diary
February 1
Male house sparrow in the garden. The first of the year, now up to 26 species.
Two carrion crows on our roof.
February 2
Two calling carrion crows on neighbour’s roof.
February 3
Carrion crow and jackdaw on neighbouring roof.
Male sparrowhawk in garden.
February 4
Seven feral pigeons in flight, seen from the drive twenty metres away. The 27th species of the year. Jackdaw flew across our garden.
February 5
Coal tit on the feeding station.
February 7
Remains of a blue tit kill in the garden. Later saw sparrowhawk swooping through on two separate occasions.
February 8
On the drive and a sparrowhawk flew from the back garden, as well as two herring gulls overhead.
Stock dove on the garden fence.
Wren on the patio.
February 9
Wren on the patio.
February 10
First great black-backed gull of the year, seen from the garden in low, lazy flight. The 28th species of the year.
Nine wood pigeons in neighbouring tree and one on our feeding station.
Black-headed gull on roof of next bungalow down.
February 11
Pair of long-tailed tits on the feeding station.
February 13
First grey heron in the garden ever, poised over the main pond. I only noticed it when I went to look through the window and it flew off. A new tick for this year, up to 29 species.
Single long-tailed tit in the garden.
February 14
I realised I hadn’t logged great spotted woodpecker – I’ve seen a few of those this year – so that’s 30 species in 2025 so far.
February 15
Sparrowhawk flew through the garden twice.
February 16
Five wood pigeons in the garden.
February 17
Pair of long-tailed tits on the feeding station.
February 19
The pair of long-tailed tits on the feeding station for a while.
February 21
Very vocal tawny owl in the woodland nearby, that I heard (but not seen) when I was on the drive.
February 24
Female blackcap, coal tit and pair of house sparrows all on the feeding station.
February 25
House sparrows c.8 on the feeding station.
Sparrowhawk landed on the bird bath late afternoon.
First common frogs of the year, a pair locked together on the main pond.
February 26
Heard them first, then got my binoculars and counted 43 carrion crows in trees on the eastern ridge.
Male blackcap making numerous visits to the feeding station in the afternoon.
Five goldfinches in neighbour’s tree. Grey heron in flight along the valley.
February 27
Common frog in the garden pond. Not sure if a locked pair, disappeared as I got close.
Four ravens in flight, one calling.
Four long-tailed tits on the feeding station early dusk.
February 28
Usually regular visitors but had to wait until today to see the first nuthatch of the year. Made several visits to the feeding station. Ending the month with 31 species so far in 2025.
Pair of vocal ravens circling low in the immediate area.
Garden nature blog pages here.