FEBRUARY proved to be a rather quiet month for local birdwatchers. Nonetheless there were some sightings of interest.

The pick of these was a fine male smew at Bolton on Swale. The females, or "redheads", occur reasonably regularly as winter visitors but the handsome drake is a much scarcer bird. The old country name was the white nun, which is a very evocative description of the white and black plumage.

Other sightings at Bolton included a green sandpiper, present on the small pool by the road, a long-staying flock of 18 ruff and up to 400 curlew.

At Nosterfield, birds of prey were much in evidence, there were regular sightings of at least two different peregrines and other sightings included buzzard, goshawk and merlin.

Up to ten pinkfeet were located among the local greylag flock there, and an adult glaucous gull was present on-and-off throughout February. A single twite, 45 corn buntings and up to 120 linnet were also seen in this area.

Nationally, the most interesting news has been the exceptionally early arrival of summer migrants on the South Coast. By mid-February, there had been sightings of swallows and house martins at a number of sites along the Channel, willow warblers had been seen in the Isles of Scilly and, most incredible of all, a swift was reported from Ely in Cambridgeshire.

Nothing quite as impressive occurred here, but nevertheless those harbingers of the northern spring, oystercatchers, were on the move earlier than usual. Bolton on Swale attracted up to 30 birds in the first week and other high counts included 87 at Nosterfield and 65 at Thornton Steward.

A number of readers have written asking about good local sites for birdwatching and I will occasionally mention some worth exploring. Colsterdale, the lovely little valley which runs from the minor road between Masham and Lofthouse just west of Healey, is one of my particular favourites. It is particularly good for birds of prey with 11 species recorded there over the years, including a magnificent golden eagle that wintered at the head of the dale a few years ago.

The area around the first car park is also good, being one of the most reliable local sites for siskin and redpoll and also regularly attracting green woodpecker and large numbers of winter thrushes.

Ring ouzel breed in the rocky areas and, with sightings of wryneck and a report of a possible eye-browed thrush last year, the area would undoubtedly turn up some choice rarities with more regular coverage.

Looking ahead to this month, we should see the arrival of the first "genuine" summer migrants. Little ringed plovers, sand martins, wheatears and ring ouzels are all possibilities by month end.

Hill walkers usually report the first ring ouzels as they move straight to their moorland breeding sites, but the local gravel pit sites at Marfield, Bolton on Swale and Nosterfield are the best bet for martins and plovers. Even swallows occasionally make their first local appearance before April - so keep your eyes peeled.