Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Early January 2019

January 10th. The 5 Bewick's Swan went to roost on Tennyson's Sands again in the evening and 2 Hooded Crows were on the beach out from Mill Hill. Also around the reserve were 1000 Pink-footed Goose, an Eider, a Goldeneye, a Red-breasted Merganser, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 160 Golden Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Snipe, a Merlin, 3 Rock Pipit and 50 Corn Bunting. In the Plantation were 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, a Brambling and 3 Siskin. A Great Skua went north and a Lapland Bunting went south.

Goldeneye, 10th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 9th. A Waxwing was seen from Mill Hill briefly in the afternoon before flying north. Birds around included 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 1200 Pink-footed Goose, an Eider, 5 Goosander, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Hooded Crow, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, 6 Fieldfare and 2 Rock Pipit. Going north were 7 Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver; and south a Red-necked Grebe, 9 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.

Bewick's Swans, 9th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 8th. The Black Redstart remained around the Visitor Centre, as did the drake Goldeneye on the Mere and 2 Hooded Crow on the beach. Also seen were 2200 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 6 Snipe, an adult Mediteranean Gull, a Kingfisher, 3 Rock Pipit and 74 Corn Bunting. The 5 Bewick's Swan flew in to roost on Tennyson's Sands at dusk. Going south were 7 Eider, 30 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot, a Puffin and a Snow Bunting.

Black Redstart, 8th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 7th. Best of the sightings from around the reserve today were 59 Whooper Swans, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Woodcock, 2 Merlin, a Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin. A Goldeneye was on the Mere; 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach out from Mill Hill; and a Slavonian Grebe was on the sea. On Millenium Ridge were 437 Brent Goose (including 11 juveniles and an adult Pale-bellied Brent Goose) and 90 Eider. A Marsh Harrier flew south.

January 6th. The Black Redstart was still around the Visitor Centre. Birds around included 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 220 Brent Goose, 56 Whooper Swan, a Pintail, 4 Goosander, 3 Woodcock, 2 Snipe, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, a Treecreeper, 16 Fieldfare and 6 Yellowhammer.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, yielded 2 new birds: a Chaffinch and a Greenfinch; and 8 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Goldfinch.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 6th January 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

January 5th. The Black Redstart remained around the Visitor Centre. Around were 300 Brent Goose, 50 Whooper Swan, a Chiffchaff and a Snow Bunting. Offshore were 80 Eider and 6 Red-breasted Merganser and a Guillemot. On the Mere were a Goldeneye and a Water Rail; and on Jackson's Marsh a Pintail and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

Guillemot, 5th January 2019

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Snow Bunting, 5th January 2019

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Snow Bunting, 5th January 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 4th. The Black Redstart was still around the Visitor Centre and a second winter Glaucous Gull was seen briefly from the Wash View Point late in the afternoon. Birds around included 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Brent Goose, 59 Whooper Swan, an Eider, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, 3 Mistle Thrush and 82 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 5 Pintail, a Guillemot and 10 Fieldfare.

Black Redstart, 4th January 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

January 3rd. Highlights from around the reserve today were 600 Pink-footed Goose, 60 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow and 40 Corn Bunting. A Black Redstart was discovered around the Visitor Centre in the afternoon.
Seawatching highlights from today were a Great Northern Diver, Little Gull, 11 Velvet Scoter and 60 Common Scoter.

January 2nd. Around were 120 Brent Goose, 700 Pink-footed Goose, 50 Whooper Swan, 7 Velvet Scoter, a Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, a Goldcrest, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 4 House Sparrow and a Yellowhammer. On Tennyson's Sands was a Pintail. Flying south were 2 Goosander and a Guillemot.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 3 new birds: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Robin.

January 1st. Birds around included 49 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 2300 Pink-footed Goose, 330 Brent Goose, 2 Grey Heron, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 500 Golden Plover, 300 Lapwing, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 4 Hooded Crow, a Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 2 Coal Tit, a Treecreeper, a Stonechat and 35 Corn Bunting. On the Mere was a Goldeneye; and offshore were 5 Goosander, 14 Velvet Scoter, a Razorbill and a Guillemot. Going south were a Kittiwake and 4 Siskin; and north a Gannet.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced a new Greenfinch; and 2 retraps: a Greenfinch and a Goldfinch.