Late July 2016

July 31st. Around, including birds trapped, were 9 Spoonbill, a Hobby, a Merlin, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Little Ringed Plover, an Arctic Skua, 2500 Sandwich Tern, a Green Woodpecker, 3 Cuckoo, 4 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper and 18 Willow Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were a Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Green Sandpiper and 14 Greenshank. Flying south were 4 Arctic Skua, 700 Swallow and a Sand Martin.
 A Painted Lady was photographed nectaring on Ragwort. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was at Aylmer Avenue. A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Meadow Pipit, a Blackcap and a Linnet; and 3 retraps: singles of Great Tit, Wren and Sedge Warbler.

Spoonbills and Avocets, 31st July 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
Painted Lady, 31st July 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
July 30th. Soggy and misty start, gradually drying out.
 From Jackson's Marsh to the Wash went 4 Spoonbill. Going south were 200 Swallow, and north 5 Sand Martin. Birds around included a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 8 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker. On Jackson's Marsh was a Common Sandpiper, and on Tennyson's Sands a Little Ringed Plover.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Blackcap; and 6 retraps: a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock, 2 Wren and a Sedge Warbler.

July 29th. Soggy start.
 On or off the shore were 2 Spoonbill, 2500 Sandwich Tern, 25 Gannet, 1000 Dunlin and 100 Little Tern. Around were a Red Kite, a Cuckoo, a House Sparrow, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel. On Tennyson's Sands were a Wigeon, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 68 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Greenshank; and on Jackson's Marsh an unseasonal Brent Goose, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover. Heading south were a Common Buzzard, 35 Common Scoter, 14 Whimbrel, 70 Swift, 300 Swallow, 6 Sand Martin and 4 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: a Wren, a Linnet, a Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Blackbird.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 25 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Blue Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit, 3 Dunnock and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 11 retraps: a Dunnock, 5 Great Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Greenfinch.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 29th July.
Photo - Janet White
July 28th. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbill, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plover, a Ruff and 46 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands 4 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Whimbrel, a Green Woodpecker, a Bullfinch, a Garden Warbler and a Treecreeper. Flying south were 45 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 23 new birds: 5 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, 3 Linnet, a Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Bullfinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting and a Swallow; and 5 retraps: singles of Treecreeper, Dunnock, Great Tit, Whitethroat and Blackcap.

Juvenile Bullfinch, ringed 28th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 27th. Rain in morning.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, a Wigeon, 12 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 65 Black-tailed Godwit, a colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull (red PLY5 again) and a Snipe. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Common Sandpiper, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and a Ruff. Around were 800 Sandwich Tern. Going south were 2 Arctic Skua, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel and 1100 Swift, and north a Manx Shearwater, an Arctic Skua and 12 Common Scoter..

July 26th. Birds around included a Cuckoo, 2 Greenshank and 2000 Sandwich Tern. On Tennyson's Sands were a Common Sandpiper and 45 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 300 Swallow, 100 Sand Martin and 100 Swift, and north a Common Scoter
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 21 new birds: 5 Wren, a Reed Warbler, 6 Linnet, 3 Swallow, a Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and 2 Great Tit.

Sunrise over East Dunes, 26th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Juvenile male Blackcap developing the first black feathers in its crown, ringed 26th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 25th. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Spoonbill of which 3 flew east in the morning; and on Tennyson's Sands a Mediterranean Gull, a Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, 31 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank. Around were 4 Green Woodpecker, a Whimbrel and 25 Swallow. A Red Kite flew north, and 95 Swift, 7 Swallow and a Sand Martin south.
 The 9th session of CES was done this morning. The 19 new birds were a Willow Warbler, a Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Linnet, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Woodpigeon; and the 9 retraps were a Dunnock, 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, a Chaffinch, a Linnet and a Blackcap.

Treecreeper, ringed 25th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Long-tailed Tit, ringed 25th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 24th. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill, and on Tennyson's Sands 3 more Spoonbill, 4 Little Ringed Plover, a colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper and 29 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Roseate Tern, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Whimbrel, 11 Greenshank, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtail and a juvenile Cuckoo. Flying south were a Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Swift, 6177 Swallow and 19 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 33 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, 21 Swallow, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Goldfinch and a Green Woodpecker; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Swallow. For several hours a group of Swallows hawked insects and perched low in East Dunes, and no less than 22 of them ended up in nets without the use of a playback lure.

Colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull (red PLY5) on Tennyson's Sands, 24th July 2016. Ringed as an adult in Poland on 17th May 2011, it has now been recorded at Gibraltar Point on 18 separate occasions.
Photo - Nige Lound
Green Woodpecker showing its long, sticky tongue, used to catch ants, ringed 24th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Leopard Moths mating on Heligoland trap, 24th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Giant Tachinid Flies (Tachina grossa)  mating, 24th July 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
Sea Holly, 24th July 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
July 23rd. Around were 5 Spoonbill, 2 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Turnstone and 60 Swallow. On Tennyson's Sands were a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover, a Knot and 60+ Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 3 Wren, a Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Linnet and a Sedge Warbler; and 4 retraps: 3 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

July 22nd. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Spoonbill, 7 Common Sandpiper and 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plover. Birds around, including those trapped, were a juvenile Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a juvenile Wheatear and a Kingfisher. Going south were 2 Yellow Wagtail, 120 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 17 new birds: 4 Wren, a Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Swallow, a Wheatear, 2 Great Tit, a Sedge Warbler, a Meadow Pipit and a Kingfisher; and 7 retraps: 2 Wren, a Robin, 2 Dunnock and 2 Great Tit.

Adult Ringed Plover with 3 recently hatched chicks, 22nd July 2016.
Photo - Nige Lound
Juvenile Wheatear, ringed 22nd July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Kingfisher, ringed 22nd July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 21st. Around were 9 Spoonbill, 60 Swallow, 400 Sandwich Tern, 3500 Sanderling and a Whimbrel. Heading north were 2 Swift, and south 3 Common Buzzard, 100 Swallow and 4 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, provided 9 new birds: 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 3 Swallow, a Great Tit and a Blackcap; and 4 retraps: a Whitethroat, 2 Wren and a Dunnock.
 A nest box check revealed an adult female Barn Owl with a big brood patch, 5 warm eggs and a mouse as a food store.

Adult female Barn Owl, ringed 21st July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid July 2016

July 20th. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill, and on Tennyson's Sands a Ruff, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank. Birds around included 3 Whimbrel and a Goldcrest. Flying south were 6 Swift, 2 House Martin and 17 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Kestrel; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Kestrel, ringed 20th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
 
Kestrel, ringed 20th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 19th. Around were 2 Spoonbill, a Merlin, 2 reeling Grasshopper Warbler, a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel. Going south were 2 Swift and 45 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 13 new birds: 4 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Great Tit, a Swallow and 3 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

July 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Kingfisher, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Goldcrest, a juvenile Stonechat, a Green Woodpecker, a Collared Dove and a Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands was a juvenile Little Ringed Plover. Heading south were 2 Yellow Wagtail, 43 Swallow and 9 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 15 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 5 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Swallow, a Dunnock and a Kingfisher; and 4 retraps: singles of Wren, Lesser Whitethroat, Great Tit and Whitethroat.

Juvenile Stonechat, 18th July 2016.
Kingfisher performing head-turning defensive display, ringed 18th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Small Tortoiseshell, 18th July 2016.
Common Sandpiper, 18th July 2016.
July 17th. Flying south were 5 Spoonbill, 350 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Swallow, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Cuckoo; and 8 retraps: a Robin, 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Juvenile Cuckoo, ringed 17th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 16th. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbill. Birds around included 21 Swallow (mostly juveniles), 2 Greenshank and 6 Whimbrel. Going south were a Peregrine, 3 Sanderling, 109 Swift and 11 Sand Martin; north 5 Gannet; and west a Marsh Harrier.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 14 new birds: 6 Wren, a Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, a Whitethroat, a Swallow and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Wren and Whitethroat.

Juvenile Swallow, ringed 16th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 15th. Around were a juvenile Peregrine, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, 600 Sanderling and a Green Woodpecker. Offshore were 57 Gannet and 850 Sandwich Tern. On Tennyson's Sands were 28 Black-tailed Godwit and 111 Avocet. Flying south were a Golden Plover and a Swift.
 The 8th session of CES was done this morning, providing 30 new birds: 5 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 17 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and 2 Dunnock; and 14 retraps: a Wren, a Robin, a Chiffchaff, 6 Whitethroat, a Dunnock, a Willow Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and a Chaffinch.

July 14th. Birds around included a Green Sandpiper, a Cuckoo, 4 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, a Goldcrest and 17 Swallow (mostly juveniles). Offshore were a Yellow-legged Gull, 70 Common Scoter, 35 Gannet and 2 Arctic Skua. On Tennyson's Sands were a Kingfisher, 87 Avocet and 7 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Jackson's Marsh a Little Ringed Plover. Heading north were 10 Eider, and south 5 Golden Plover and 17 Whimbrel.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting and 2 Woodpigeon; and a retrap Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 33 new birds: 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 7 Blue Tit, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, a Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, 4 Dunnock and a Greenfinch; and 20 retraps: 3 Great Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Blue Tit, a Willow Warbler, 3 Chaffinch and 2 Dunnock.

Reed Bunting, ringed 14th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 13th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Short-eared Owl, a Marsh Harrier, 70 Common Scoter, 300 Sandwich Tern, 6 Whimbrel, 76 Avocet, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, a Turtle Dove and 2 Grasshopper Warbler (including 1 reeling). Going south was a Little Gull. In from the north came 34 juvenile Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 12 new birds: 4 Wren, a Robin, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap; and 6 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

July 12th. Birds around included a Buzzard, 144 Sandwich Tern, a Common Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, a Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove. Heading south were a Wood Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 3 Sand Martin and a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 23 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Wren, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, a Linnet, 5 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and 4 Dunnock; 10 retraps: 4 Dunnock, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and a Great Tit; and a control mouting adult female Blackcap with a MUS JERSEY CI ring. At a nest 3 pullus Swallow were ringed.

Jersey ring on Blackcap, controlled 12th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 11th. Quite strong south-westerly wind.
 On Jackson's Marsh, then on Tennyson's Sands, were 2 Wood Sandpiper. Around were 5 Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 101 Sandwich Tern, a Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull. Flying south were 2 Manx Shearwater, 900+ Swift, 56 Sand Martin, 13 Swallow, 6 Curlew and 2 Whimbrel.

Early July 2016

July 10th. Around were 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Gull, 57 Sandwich Tern, a Wheatear and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Heading south were 2 Marsh Harrier, 27 Whimbrel, 62 Sanderling, 224 Swift and 81 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Great Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap, 2 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Dunnock.

Avocet, 10th July 2016.
Little Gull, 10th July 2016.
Little Gull, 10th July 2016.
Sandwich Tern, 10th July 2016.
Lapwing, 10th July 2016.
July 9th. Rain from mid morning until early afternoon.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Grey Heron, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Treecreeper and a House Sparrow. Flying south were 64 Swift and 12 Sand Martin.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: 4 Wren, a Treecreeper, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Great Tit and a House Sparrow; and 3 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Whitethroat and Linnet.
 A Convolvulus Hawkmoth was the highlight of overnight moth trapping. Other species included Broad-barred White, Clouded Magpie, Starwort, Grass Rivulet, Sandy Carpet, White-Line Dart, Round-winged Muslin, Ghost Moth, Short Cloaked, Striped Wainscot, Marbler White-Spot and Small Yellow Wave.

Treecreeper, ringed 9th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
House Sparrow, ringed 9th July 2016.
In the first decades of the bird observatory many thousands of this species were ringed. In recent decades, however, this species is not ringed here every year.
Photo - George Gregory
Convolvulus Hawkmoth, 9th July 2016.
Photo - Karen and Sarah Hand
Clouded Magpie, 9th July 2016.
Photo - Karen and Sarah Hand
Starwort, 9th July 2016.
Photo - Karen and Sarah Hand
July 8th. Rain until mid morning.
 Around were a Wheatear, 4 Whimbrel and 2 Turtle Dove. Going south were 2 Swift.

July 7th. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Whimbrel, a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 600 Swift and 90 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 10 new birds: a Wren, 6 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: singles of Dunnock and Whitethroat.

July 6th. Around were 4 Whimbrel, a Turnstone, a trapped juvenile Garden Warbler and 2 Turtle Dove (including 1 purring). On Tennyson's Sands was a Greenshank. A Swift and a Marsh Harrier flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 17 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Wren, a Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit, a Whitethroat and a Blackbird.
Turtle Dove, 6th July 2016
Photo - Les Davidson

Pyramidal Orchid, 6th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 5th. Moderately strong westerly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Cuckoo, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 3 Little Gull and 3 Brent Goose. Going south were 74 Swift, 55 Sand Martin, a Scaup and 3 Little Gull.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 10 new birds: 2 Wren, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Cuckoo; and 9 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 3 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap and a Wren.

Cuckoo, ringed 5th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
July 4th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Greenshank, 2 Little Gull, 3 Cuckoo and a Siskin. Flying south was a Marsh Harrier.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 7th session of CES, provided 59 new birds: 10 Wren, a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Robin, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 18 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Coal Tit, a Chaffinch, a Siskin, 2 Blackcap, 4 Dunnock, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Woodpigeon; and 27 retraps: 7 Whitethroat, a Wren, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Great Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Dunnock, a Linnet and 2 Chaffinch.
 A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was discovered nectaring on Viper's Bugloss.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 4th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Siskin, ringed 4th July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Hummingbird Hawkmoth nectaring on Viper's Bugloss, 4th July 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
Small Tortoiseshell on Sea Lavender, 4th July 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
July 3rd. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Greenshank, 3 Cuckoo and a Sand Martin. Heading south were 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 8 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler and a Dunnock; 5 retraps: a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and 2 Blue Tit; and a Portuguese-ringed control Blackcap. The latter bird was a breeding female with a CEMPA SEA LISBOA ring.

Portuguese ring on Blackcap, controlled 3rd July 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
 
Black-tailed Godwits, 3rd July 2016.
Little Tern, 3rd July 2016.
July 2nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, including a colour-ringed bird. Around were 2 Cuckoo. Flying south were 25 Swift and 2 Curlew.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: a Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Spoonbills, 2nd July 2016.
Photo - Keith and Angela Foster
Colour-ringed Spoonbill, 2nd July 2016.
Photo - Keith and Angela Foster
July 1st. Soggy start.
 Birds around included a Mediterranean Gull, a family of 5 House Sparrow and 4 Cuckoo. Going south were 24 Swift and 7 Curlew.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: 2 Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler and 2 Dunnock; 5 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Linnet, Whitethroat, Robin and Chiffchaff; and a control Linnet.

House Sparrows, a scarce species at Gibraltar Point, 1st July 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson