Black guillemot in breeding plumage by Dennis Morrison.
The wet and unsettled weather that dominated much of the winter came to an end in February with the wind coming latterly from the east. There was no measurable rain after February 19 and the temperature fell.
In comparison with January, February had 40 per cent of the rain of January and the mean temperature was a degree less. In comparison with last year, this February had 60 per cent of the rain of last February and the mean temperature was two degrees lower. Gulls were a feature with reports of two species of uncommon white-winged gulls. A first winter glaucous gull was photographed in Catacol Bay on 3rd and a first winter Iceland gull was photographed among hundreds of common gulls in an unharvested crop field by the castle drive on 4th. The first returning lesser black-backed gull was reported from Machriewaterfoot on 22nd, an early sign of approaching spring. Reports of winter visitors included: a brambling at the Dyemill on 4th, 17 rook in Sliddery on 6th, 250 redwing in Shiskine on 8th, 200 fieldfare in Feorline on 9th and seven purple sandpiper at Silver Sands on 18th.