Strong windstorms throughout February swept in kittiwakes, little and common gulls. While looking for different targets (and failing some), I connected with mega isabelline wheatear, citril finch and phalarope.

Eravikulam National Park delivered stunning Western Ghats endemics. Nilgiri tahr, flycatcher and pipit, black-and-orange flycatcher and Palani laughingthrush obliged within breathtaking montane grassland and forest.

Flooding and plowing of rice paddies brings thousands of gulls to l’Albufera. Despite the intense winds, we connect with several common gulls, Caspian gulls, herring gull, little gull plus bonus ring-necked ducks.

Mild winters in Alicante draw Alpine accentors, thrushes, finches and buntings to the mountains, raptors and waterfowl to wetlands and provide some good seawatching along the shores, plus some winter oddities.

Bright snow and northern lights lit up Helsinki over winter. Different owls, woodpeckers, crossbills and other northbound specialties show up randomly over cold breezes, turning outings harsh but rewarding.