February | Öland

Birds in February

This month can either be considered as the last of the winter or the first of the spring, depending on the weather. During a low snow winter can fine weather and southerly winds bring the first Greylaged Geese, Common Shelducks, Eurasian Skylarks and Northern Lapwings already in the middle of the month. Most often, however, the spring will wait a bit. February is, after all, statistically the coldest month of the year.

The composition of the species is broadly similar to that in January, but the number of bird individuals is fewer because some have not survived, while others have moved further south.

Towards the end of February, the first Tits feel the sun’s return and start singing so gently. This time of year it can be worthwhile to visit the farmland of Mörbylånga valley or north of Köpingsvik, where often mixed flocks of geese can be found, with Bean Goose, single Greater White-fronted Goose and sometime even Pink-footed Goose can be found. Or why not look for White-throated Dippers in running waters, or look through the Gull flocks in the ports? Iceland Gull and the Little Auk are among the more rare species seen during this month.

Pink-footed Goose, © Lars Lundmark

If it’s too cold and spring is delayed, then you can always put together nesting boxes for the coming breeding season and maybe clear out the once that are already established.

Birds to scout for in January and February.

Steller’s Eider, Loon, Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Black-legged Kittiwake, Glaucous Gull, Snowy Owl, Woodlark, Great Grey Shrike, Eurasian Rock Pipit, Bearded Reedling, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Wren, Arctic Redpoll and Lapland Longspur.

Blackcap, © Lars Lundmark