Birding in February, late winter and the first song

The turn of the year. Winter birds are still here, but the song starts, herons and rooks nest, and raptors begin to display.

Updated 26 September 2026

What's around in February

Last of the winter

• Geese and swans are still in place. Pink-feet start gathering before heading north in March.
• Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull: February and March are often the best months.
• Smew and Goosander peak on reservoirs if the continent has been cold.

High tides on the Dee

The biggest spring tides flood the Dee saltmarsh at Parkgate. Voles and shrews are flushed out and Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers and Merlins hunt them in front of the crowds. RSPB runs high-tide watches on the key dates. See the North West guide.

Display and early nesting

• Goshawk: sky-dancing display over forests on bright, still mornings, roughly 10am to midday. New Fancy viewpoint in the Forest of Dean is the classic.
• Grey Heron and Rooks: colonies are active and building.
• Raven: one of the earliest nesters, often on eggs by late February.
• Great Crested Grebe: head-shaking display starts on lakes.
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: drumming and calling. Best found now, before the leaves.

First song

Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Skylark, Chaffinch and Great Tit are all singing by late February. Start learning songs now, before the migrants add twenty more.

Where to go in February

• Dee Estuary: Parkgate on a big tide for owls and harriers.
• Forest of Dean: goshawk display, hawfinch, crossbill.
• RSPB Leighton Moss: bitterns may start booming by the end of the month.
• WWT Slimbridge: the last big wildfowl weeks.

February tips

• Put nest boxes up now if you haven't. Tits start inspecting sites from February. See how to attract garden birds for hole sizes.
• Feed while you can. RSPB advice allows the full range of seed and peanuts until 30 April.
• Sunny, still mornings are best for raptor display. Check the forecast and pick your day.