By Nick Morgan

THERE is little doubt about February’s bird of the month – a superb drake American Wigeon at Nosterfield spotted among the wintering flock of European Wigeon at the reserve. The American Wigeon is distinguished from the European by a white, rather than cream, crown and a broad green stripe through the eye. This is only the second local sighting and coincided with a small influx of American ducks to the country. The attached picture of the bird was taken by Nosterfield regular Johnny Fisk, using his mobile phone through a telescope.

Other interesting wildfowl records included a great selection of geese at Nosterfield with Brent, Barnacle, Pinkfooted and both European and Greenland Whitefronted Geese all seen. Six Whooper Swans were also spotted here with further Whooper sightings at Bolton on Swale and Baldersby St James.

The second most popular attraction of the month was a brilliant gathering (or "murmuration") of Starlings in the Nosterfield area. There were up to an estimated 50,000 birds coming in to roost in the reedbed here and their pre-roost movements are an astonishing spectacle. There is some film of this on YouTube, search for ‘Nosterfield Starlings’ and marvel at the rhythmic weaving and swooping like some giant aerial jellyfish.

The birds roost together for protection and warmth but the reason for these pre-roost movements is less certain, although recent research has shown how the birds do it. As a bird turns, it influences its seven nearest neighbours each of which in turn affects its seven closest birds and so on. So as one bird changes direction this ripples out to the rest of the flock and these balletic, apparently co-ordinated movements are the result.

Not surprisingly, such a large gathering of potential food also pulled in birds of prey and Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine were all seen attempting to catch birds.

Despite the huge numbers present, this is far from the largest gathering ever seen in the area. That honour goes to an astonishing flock estimated at half a million birds which roosted in dense elder scrub near Bedale in the winter of 1945.

That early presager of spring, the Oystercatcher, appeared from mid-month with the first birds on the river at Morton on Swale and then reasonable numbers passing through including peaks of 71 at Nosterfield and 74 at Thornton Steward Reservoir. Avocets also returned to their breeding sites in February with birds seen at both Nosterfield and Newsham.

Other sightings of note in February included Little Egrets at Barton, Skeeby, Morton on Swale, Great Langton, Scorton, Hunton and Wensley. A Water Rail was seen in Ainderby Steeple, Green Sandpiper at Morton on Swale and a possible Rough-legged Buzzard was reported near Leyburn.

Looking ahead to March, as long as we don’t get a late period of poor weather we should see the first summer migrants arriving. Typically the first bird will be one of Ring Ouzel, Chiffchaff or Sand Martin but Little Ringed Plovers, Wheatears and perhaps even an adventurous Swallow might also make it by month end. An early Osprey passing through is another possibility.

March is also one of the best months for catching up with the magnificent Whooper Swan as this species heads back to its Icelandic breeding grounds. Local numbers have grown significantly in recent years reflecting a change in their return route, shifting from the Yorkshire coast to our area. The main waters such as Nosterfield, Newsham, Bolton on Swale and Scorton pull in the largest numbers with exceptional counts of over 100 birds. But smaller ponds, and areas of floodwater, can also attract birds on occasions.

If you’re fortunate enough to spot some Whoopers, or any other interesting birds, I would be very happy to receive your sightings at nickmlinden@gmail.com.