This month’s local birds

I’ve pulled together the following summary from bird sightings reported across several local WhatsApp groups of which I’m a member for February 2026 so far. Over Hotspot Birders, MCP Wildlife, Cambs Bird Chat, Birdguides. Nothing in February from Cambs Rare Bird News

The first three weeks of February have been interesting, the headliner is perhaps the long-staying Scaup at Milton Country Park, regular Smew at Fen Drayton, lingering Red-breasted Merganser, increasing Crane activity at RSPB Ouse Fen, and the various groups of White-fronted Geese.

Milton Country Park

The month’s standout bird is the drake (Greater) Scaup. Present since January, it remained throughout this reporting period and reached its 47th day on 22nd February with my personal first definitive sighting thanks to Mrs Sciencebase. It seems to shuttle between two of the lakes, Todd’s and Dickerson’s Pits.

Other sightings here included eight Wigeon flying over on 7th February, circling briefly before heading north. Two probable Ravens were noted distantly towards Bait’s Bite Lock on 11th February. A Bittern was reported during the period, but had been sighted in January. No recent Siskins despite their presence in January in the trees around the carpark.

RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes

Fen Drayton is very flooded but has been reliable for wildfowl. Smew were present throughout early February, usually favouring Far Fen Lake. Numbers peaked at three birds on 5th February (two drakes and a redhead). The presence of a redhead drew particular attention.

A Red-breasted Merganser lingered between 2nd to 8th February, moving between Ferry Lagoon and North Side Ferry. A female or immature Goldeneye was identified on 8th February.

Other notable records included two Barnacle Geese (8th February), 25 Pintail (8th February), approximately 100 Black-tailed Godwits and a single Ruff (1st February), three Bullfinch near the car park (6th February), and around ten Egyptian Geese on 7th February.

RSPB Ouse Fen

At Ouse Fen, the usual pair of Common Cranes remained present, with at least one additional adult heard on site — an encouraging sign as the breeding season approaches. Along Long Drove on 6th February, 62 White-fronted Geese were recorded alongside the Greylags.

Other sites

At Grafham Water, the drake Common Scoter remained on 2nd February, viewed from Mander car park near Buoy H.

Three Avocets were present at Isleham Wash on 9th February, the observer’s first of the year and a welcome early hint of spring.

At Deeping High Bank on 2nd February there was no sign of the Snow Goose, previously seen on several occasions in January, among reduced numbers of Whooper Swans.

Smithy Fen, Cottenham, produced a Green Sandpiper (reported by friend Marilyn  on 14th and spotted again eight days later by Mrs Sciencebase), Pintail (we saw a male and a female on 22nd February), along with numerous Shoveller, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard and gulls.

At Sutton Gault, three Water Pipits were recorded on 2nd February.

Finally, Cam Washes had ten White-fronted Geese on 14th February.

Turning to Birdguides: Siberian Chiffchaff as of 23rd February at Dernford Reservoir, Hen Harrier at NT Wicken Fen and at Little Downham.

Caspian Gull in Over and Cottenham, Spotted Redshank and Water Pipit at Fortrey’s Hall (the latter also in Sutton Gault), Black Redstart in St Ives, Spoonbill at Kingfisher’s Bridge Nature Reserve, Tundra Bean Goose in Pymoor, Bewick’s Swan in Earith, (Red) Knot in Cottenham,