On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Grey Heron, 9 Spoonbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 57 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 232 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 10 Dunlin, 4 Spotted Redshank, 17 Greenshank, 3 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern and 3 Mediterranean Gull. Around were 70 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 21 Little Egret, 12 Common Sandpiper, 12 Green Sandpiper, 6 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker and 5 Willow Warbler. Flying south were a Common Sandpiper, 3 Wood Sandpiper and 10000 Swift.
 |
Migrant Hawker, immature male, 31st July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Linnet, a Reed Bunting, 2 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 9 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit and 2 Blackcap.
 |
| Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls, 30th July 2019. Photo - Jim Shaw |
 |
Wood Sandpiper, 30th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
 |
Marsh Harrier, 30th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
 |
| White-letter Hairstreak, 30th July 2019. Photo - Adrian Royle |
 |
| Long-winged Conehead, 30th July 2019. Photo - Adrian Royle |
The Wood Warbler relocated to the Plantation. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Grey Heron, 5 Spoonbill, 61 Avocet, 4 Whimbrel, 181 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank and 6 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were 53 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 13 Common Scoter, 66 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 11 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 12 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Stock Dove, a Garden Warbler, 3 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 45 Common Scoter, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone, 33 Knot, 39 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Wood Sandpiper, an Arctic Skua, 451 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 32 Sand Martin and 26 Swallow; and thermalling west and inland were 2 Arctic Skua.
The ninth session of CES was done this morning. The 25 new birds were 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, a Robin, 3 Blackcap, a Goldfinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Cuckoo. The 10 retraps were 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Wren and 2 Dunnock.
 |
| Wood Warbler, 29th July 2019. Photo - Paul Neale |
 |
| Just-fledged juvenile Cuckoo, ringed 29th July 2019. Photo - George Gregory |
 |
| Painted Lady, 29th July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
| Small Copper, 29th July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
A truly breath-taking day for Wood Sandpiper on the reserve. At one stage there were 25 grounded birds with a further 5 passing straight through, far surpassing the previous reserve record of 12. A Wood Warbler and 2 Pied Flycatcher were in the East Dunes. The day was capped off by a Cattle Egret, which was picked up flying in from the north in the evening before settling only briefly on Croftmarsh prior to continuing southwest. Around, including those trapped, were 14 Gadwall (plus 22 chicks), 149 Teal, a Shoveler, 45 Common Scoter, 31 Little Egret, 9 Grey Heron, 7 Spoonbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 65 Avocet, 55 Lapwing, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 227 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 19 Common Sandpiper, 19 Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 1300 Sandwich Tern, 21 Common Tern, 8 Arctic Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Stock Dove, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 10 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 3 Grasshopper Warbler and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 16 Golden Plover, 8 Whimbrel, 3 more Green Sandpiper and another Common Sandpiper; and north over Croftmarsh 2 Arctic Skua.
A drizzle-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 9 new birds: 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Garden Warbler, a Blackbird and a Cuckoo; and 6 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap.
 |
| Cattle Egret, 28th July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
Wood Warbler, 28th July 2019.
Photos - Ben Ward
|
 |
Pied Flycatcher, 28th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
 |
| Wood Sandpipers, 28th July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
| Wood Sandpiper, 28th July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
| Juvenile Cuckoo, ringed 28th July 2019. Photo - George Gregory |
 |
| Common Blue butterfly, 28th July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
On Tennyson's Sands were 11 Grey Heron, 2 Spoonbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 61 Avocet, 78 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 167 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Spotted Redshank; and on Croftmarsh the female Mandarin. Around were 10 Gadwall (plus 10 chicks), 95 Teal, a Shoveler, 32 Tufted Duck (plus 5 chicks), 30 Little Egret, 5 more Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 18 Common Sandpiper, 10 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 7 Snipe, 3 Little Tern, 4000 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern, an Arctic Tern, 6 Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher and a Green Woodpecker. Going south were a Green Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpiper and 10 Arctic Tern.
Spoonbill, adult and food begging juvenile, 27th July 2019.
Video - Ben Ward
 |
Common Gull, juvenile, 27th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 12 new birds: 2 Wren, 3 Linnet, 4 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: a Wren, a Robin and a Whitethroat.
Migrant insects included 2 Brown Hawker.
 |
Small Red-eyed Damselfly, pair in copula, 26th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
 |
Mediterranean Gull, part of a reserve record day total, 26th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
Colour code: L/YRL Ring: T085701 ESI Age: 3 Sex: - Date: 10/09/2012 Catching place: Dena, Meaño (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'22"N 08º49'20"W
Re-sightings as follows;
Km Distance Days
15/10/2012 Rouxique, Sanxenxo (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'23"N 08º51'16"W 2,7 0 35
20/10/2012 Rouxique, Sanxenxo (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'23"N 08º51'16"W 2,7 0 40
15/01/2013 O Vao, O Grove (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'07"N 08º52'15"W 4,0 0 127
13/02/2013 Rouxique, Sanxenxo (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'23"N 08º51'16"W 2,7 0 156
25/07/2019 Gibraltar Point NNR, Lincolnshire, England, UK 53°06'03"N 00°20'22"E 1365,8 26,7 2509
 |
Colour ringed Dunlin, 25th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Whimbrel and 4 Spotted Redshank. Birds around included 2 Gadwall (plus 10 chicks), 44 Teal, a Shoveler, 37 Tufted Duck, 3 Eider, 2 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet, 28 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 38 Avocet, 452 Oystercatcher, 4 Grey Plover, 77 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 66 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 251 Curlew, 198 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 35 Sanderling, 192 Dunlin, 13 Common Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 171 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 2 Arctic Skua, 10 Little Tern, 2344 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Tern (including a portlandica type), 35 commic Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Stock Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 70 Swallow and 8 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 4 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 24 Whimbrel, 11 Sanderling, an additional juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Kestrel and a Yellow Wagtail.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 19 new birds: 3 Wren, 5 Sedge Warbler, a Robin, 3 Linnet, 5 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Blackcap and a Wren.
Insects of note included a male Willow Emerald Damselfly and 4 Red-veined Darter.
Another excellent night moth trapping in the north end of the East Dunes produced 1376 moths of 134 species. Picture highlights courtesy of Nige Lound below:
 |
| Antler Moth |
 |
| Lesser Cream Wave |
 |
| Old Lady |
 |
| Pretty Chalk Carpet |
 |
| Tree Lichen Beauty (2nd reserve record) |
 |
| True Lover's Knot |
 |
| The Vapourer |
 |
Willow Emerald Damselfly, 25th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
 |
Common Blue, in copula, 25th July 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw
|
 |
Roesel's Bush-cricket, 25th July 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw
|
A Purple Heron came in off the sea and continued north-west late evening. Around were 57 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 4 Eider, 7 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 2 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 320 Black-tailed Godwit, 69 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 320 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 2000 Sandwich Tern, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Stock Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 30 Sand Martin, 80 Swallow, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail. On Croftmarsh was the female Mandarin Duck; and on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Golden Plover, 57 Lapwing, a Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank.
Migrant insects included a newly arrived Red-veined Darter.
 |
Purple Heron, arriving from the sea, 24th July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
Impending thunderstorm out at sea, 0220hrs, 24th July 2019.
Video - Ben Ward
July 23rd. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Marsh Harrier, a Dunlin,2 13 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank and 98 Redshank; on Croftmarsh 2 Garganey, the female Mandarin Duck, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpiper; and on Jackson's Marsh another 2 Spoonbill, another 2 Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper. Around were a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, 1411 Sandwich Tern, a Green Woodpecker and a Short-eared Owl. Flying south were 24 Black-tailed Godwit, a Wood Sandpiper, 12 Knot and 14 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 35 new birds: 4 Wren, a Willow Warbler, 5 Great Tit, 10 Linnet, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, a Blackcap and a Sedge Warbler.
 |
| Black-tailed Godwit, 23rd July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
| Lapwing, 23rd July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
On Tennyson's Sands were the female Mandarin Duck, a Pochard, 6 Spoonbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 68 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, a Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank, 168 Redshank, a Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern and a Mediterranean Gull; and on Croftmarsh 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe. Birds around included 60 Teal, 3 Eider, 15 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 73 Lapwing, 273 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, 1500 Sandwich Tern, a Collared Dove and a juvenile Cuckoo. Going south were a Tufted Duck, a Common Scoter, 13 Gannet, 2 Spoonbill, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 86 Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, 66 Dunlin, 732 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern, 6 Common Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 2 Commic Tern, 701 Swift, 576 Sand Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
A moth trapped by Nige Lound on 10th July 2019 has been confirmed as a Pigmy Footman. This is the first record for Gibraltar Point, and only the second record for Lincolnshire (The first record was 1989).
 |
| Pigmy Footman, 10th July 2019 Photo - Nige Lound |
 |
Small Red-eyed Damselfly, 22nd July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
 |
Arctic Skua, 22nd July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
July 21st. Around were 9 Brent Goose, 49 Teal, 9 Eider, 12 Little Egret, 4 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 88 Lapwing, 4 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 1790 Sandwich Tern, 2904 Black-headed Gull, 252 Common Gull, 27 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1839 Herring Gull, 159 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Stock Dove a Short-eared Owl and 2 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were the female Mandarin Duck, 57 Avocet, 226 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank and 142 Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh another Spoonbill, a Little Ringed Plover and 3 Common Sandpiper. Heading south were a juvenile Marsh Harrier, a Little Ringed Plover, 114 Swift, 71 Sand Martin and 112 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 18 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 4 Linnet, 2 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat and a Chaffinch; and 7 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, 5 Whitethroat and a Linnet. |
| Kestrel, 21st July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
| Red Admiral, 21st July 2019. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
 |
Sunrise, 21st July 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
|
