Whooper Swans and Bewick’s Swans continued to be seen at Minsmere during the course of. February, highest counts were four of the former on 2nd and six of the latter on 20th. European White-fronted Geese remained throughout the month at their Suffolk headquarters at North Warren peaking at 235 on the 15th, a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose was reported at Aldeburgh Town marshes intermittently 11th to 22nd. A Smew remained on the river Alde being seen between Aldeburgh and Iken, offshore a maximum count of sixteen Velvet Scoters was achieved at Dunwich on the 12th. Two Black-throated Divers were reported offshore at Dunwich on the 10th and a Great Northern Diver flew south off Thorpeness on the 25th. An incredible twenty-four Great Egrets were counted flying in to roost at Fritton lake on the 19th, a Cattle Egret was at Carlton Marshes on the 13th and the Glossy Ibis remained at Aldeburgh Town marshes throughout the month. Spoonbills were reported from a handful of coastal locations with five at North Warren on the 22nd. Reports were received of Hen Harriers and Merlins and a female Goshawk was seen over Sizewell on the 25th, The White-tailed Eagle was again seen on Haddiscoe Island marshes 8th-16th with the same or another being seen near Aldeburgh on the 23rd.  On the 6th fourteen Purple Sandpipers were seen at Ness Point equalling last months highest count. A European Turtle Dove was reported from a private garden in Saxmundham on the 18th and 20th, presumably this was an overwintering bird rather than an extremely early migrant. Short-eared Owls were seen at Minsmere on 2nd (1) and Carlton Marshes 13th (2). The Eastern Yellow Wagtail first seen briefly at Carlton Marshes on the 21st January popped up again at the same location on Peto’s Marsh on the 13th, where it remained throughout the rest of the month, during the month Peto’s Marsh also played host to at least eight Water Pipits. On the 18th a very early House Martin was reported at Kessingland.

The Waxwings reported last month at Carlton Colville and Reydon remained on station throughout most of the month, the two at Carlton increasing to five in the last days of the month. A single Hawfinch continued to be reported from Sotterley Park and over on the coast at Kessingland up to twenty-five Snow Buntings remained at Kessingland.