Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Ringing on 9th Sep 2011

Today was the last day of Christine and Nigels ringing holiday and it made up somewhat for the lack lustered weather during the week. George was again ringing at Aylmer Avenue. The majority of the birds caught were at the Observatory and the total processed was 121. There were 102 New birds and 19 Retraps.

The combined catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (9/1) Swallow, (1/0) Tree Pipit, (23/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/3) Wren, (8/1) Dunnock, (8/0) Robin, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (0/1) Barred Warbler, (4/1) Lesser Whitethroat, (11/2) Whitethroat, (24/1) Blackcap, (1/0) Chiffchaff, (3/0) Willow Warbler, (3/0) Goldcrest, (0/2) Blue Tit, (0/2) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch, (2/4) Greenfinch, (1/1) Goldfinch and (2/0) Reed Bunting.

Amazingly the Barred Warbler was recaught today by Christine and Nigel, still close to where it was originally caught, although it probably shouldn't be too much of a surprise with the weather inbetween capture dates being absolutely horrendous!
Barred Warblers that are caught at Gib do tend to have a habit of sticking around for a while, one caught on the 31st Aug 1983 was again retrapped on the 2nd and 4th Sep, whilst more recently there was a bird caught on the 28th Sep 2010 was caught two days later on the 30th Sep. Presumably these were birds that had recently crossed the North Sea and so were feeding up before moving on south.

The Tree Pipit that Christine and Nigel caught today was the first since the 22nd August 2009! and only the 16th since 1997. There have still only been 114 (Including this bird) ever ringed at the Observatory and so are still incredible scarce as a species in the hand at Gib. Well done to Chritsine and Nigel for this bird on the last day of their holiday!
Also today Christine and Nigel were lucky enough to get their hands on a highly unusual Robin which had 4 leucistic primaries, 3 leucistic primary coverts and a leucistic chin! A striking bird that would certainly cause panic amongst any birdwatcher that spotted it, just briefly! See the photos below

Also reported on the 9th September 2011 were -
x1 Osprey
x6 Artic Skua
x1 Black Tern
x9 Spoonbill
x1 Pectoral Sandpiper (Still on the Mere at 7pm this evening in the company of Dunlin)
x1 Little Stint
x5500+ Meadow Pipit (South)
x3 Tree Pipit (South)
x1 Grey Wagtail (South)
x1 Whinchat
x1 Wheatear
x1 Spotted Flyctacher
x100 Siskin (South)

Retrapped Barred Warbler on the 9th September 2011.
Photo - George Gregory

Partly leucistic Robin ringed on the 9th September 2011.
Photo - Christine Flint.

Partly leucistic Robin ringed on the 9th September 2011.
A striking bird on an Autumn morning!
Photo - Christine Flint.