Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Mid February 2017

February 20th. A scrutiny of the Brent Goose flock produced an adult Black Brant. Other highlights of the day included 2 Siskin, a Brambling and 4 Pintail. A group of 16 White-fronted Goose flew south.
A Spring Usher and Chestnut were trapped overnight.

Chestnut trapped overnight, 20th February 2017
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Spring Usher trapped overnight, 20th February 2017
Photo - Kevin Wilson

February 19th. The Waxwing reappeared at Sykes Farm briefly early morning. On Croft Marsh were the 16 'European' White-fronted Goose and 250 Pink-footed Goose. In the Plantation were 4 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Corn Bunting and 2 Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh were 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 350 Lapwing. Other birds around included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Stonechat, a Collared Dove and a Merlin.

Waxwing near Harvey's Hide, 19th February 2017
Photo - Alan Brewster

White-fronted Geese at dawn, 19th February 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

February 18th. Around the reserve were 2 Brambling, 5 Mistle Thrush, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 'European' White-fronted Goose, a Stonechat and a Peregrine. Offshore were 20 Red-throated Diver and a Black-throated Diver. A Waxwing briefly touched down in the Sykes Farm hedge. An Avocet was on Tennyson Sands in the afternoon.

March Moth, 18th February 2017
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Pale-brindled Beauty, 18th February 2017
Photo - Kevin Wilson

February 17th. Around were 7 Black-tailed Godwit, a Collared Dove, a House Sparrow and a Crossbill.

February 16th. On Croft Marsh were 260 Pink-footed Goose and 16 'European' White-fronted Goose. Other birds around included a Jack Snipe, a Peregrine (in off), 10 Corn Bunting, 6 Pintail, 2 Rook, a Water Pipit, a Stonechat, an adult Pale-bellied Brent Goose and 2 adult Mediterranean Gull.

February 15th. Slight visible migration evident early morning with 2 Whooper Swan, a Yellowhammer, 2 Brambling, 3 Siskin and 22 Starling flew south. On Croft Marsh were 8 'European' White-fronted Goose and 80 Pink-footed Goose. Around were 2 Water Pipit and a Brambling.

February 14th. On Croft Marsh were 278 Pink-footed Goose, 104 'European' White-fronted Goose, a Tundra Bean Goose, 14 Barnacle Goose and 300 Brent Goose. Around were 12000 Knot, 3500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4000 Grey Plover, 2500 Oystercatcher, 2000 Dunlin, 800 Sanderling, a Peregrine and 40 Corn Bunting.

Lapwings over Croft Marsh, 14th February 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

White-fronted Geese arriving from the north, 14th February 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

February 13th. No records received.

February 12th. The only species of note was a Woodcock in the Plantation.

February 11th. About were 30 Corn Bunting, 400 Lapwing, 50 Golden Plover, a Treecreeper, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl. A flock of 80 White-fronted Goose flew low over the Visitor Centre late afternoon.