Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Late August 2019

August 31st. On Jackson's Marsh were 14 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Grey Heron, 97 Avocet, 72 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, 20 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 12 Spotted Redshank, 104 Redshank, Snipe. Around, including birds trapped, were 20 Gadwall, 49 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 20 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 18 Greenshank, 7Snipe, 19 Common Tern, a Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker, 9 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 13 Blackcap, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Treecreeper, 9 Whinchat, a Stonechat, 2 Wheatear and 31 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 2 Fulmar, an Arctic Tern, 27 Swift, 6 House Martin and 5 Yellow Wagtail.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 8 new birds: a Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and a Grasshopper Warbler; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Treecreeper, a Blackbird, a Blue Tit and a Long-tailed Tit.
A Convolvulus Hawk-moth was trapped at Sykes Farm overnight.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth, 31st August 2019.

Photos - Liam Andrews

Whinchat and Wheatear, 31st August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Greenshank, 31st August 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Little Ringed Plover, 31st August 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 31st August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Treecreeper, retrapped 31st August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 30th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, 5 Grey Heron, 98 Avocet, 62 Lapwing, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Curlew Sandpiper, 9 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 11 Spotted Redshank and 156 Redshank. Birds around included 19 Gadwall, 59 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Duck, 12 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 6 Snipe, 4 Arctic Skua, 350 Sandwich Tern, 17 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat and a Tree Sparrow. Going south were 3 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 9 Gannet, 24 Cormorant, 3 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Grey Plover, a Whimbrel, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Turnstone, a Wood Sandpiper, 12 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 1711 Sandwich Tern, 2 Black Tern, 7 Common Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 18 Commic Tern, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Swift, 63 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 5 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Goldfinch and a Whitethroat; and 5 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Robin, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat.

Curlew Sandpiper, 30th August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Sunset, 30th August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff, 30th October 2019.

Greenshank, 30th August 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

Spotted Redshank, 30th August 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

Curlew Sandpiper, 30th August 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

August 29th. Misty start, gradually clearing.
On Tennyson's Sands were 109 Avocet, 191 Black-tailed Godwit, 94 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Dunlin, 11 Common Sandpiper, 12 Spotted Redshank, 249 Redshank, and 2 Mediterranean Gull. Birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 59 Teal, 53 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, a Grey Heron, 16 Spoonbill, a Red Kite, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Green Sandpiper, 24 Greenshank, 4 Snipe, 850 Sandwich Tern, 26 Common Tern, an Arctic Tern, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, a Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff, 40 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 31 Whitethroat, 2 Treecreeper, 3 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 4 Whinchat, a Wheatear, 14 Yellow Wagtail and a Yellowhammer. Heading south were a Buzzard, a Greenshank, an Arctic Skua, 198 Sand Martin, 126 Swallow, 14 House Martin and 5 Yellow Wagtail.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 21 new birds: a Goldcrest, 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat,2 Blackcap and 3 Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Redstart and a Dunnock.

Curlew Sandpipers, 29th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper, 29th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Redstart, retrapped 29th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Mole on surface, East Dunes, 29th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Mole starting to burrow, East Dunes, 29th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 28th. Light rain early morning and mid afternoon.
On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 11 Shoveler, 94 Avocet, 88 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 4 Spotted Redshank and 2 Wood Sandpiper. Around, including birds trapped, were 59 Shelduck, 112 Teal, 14 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 10 Spoonbill, a Buzzard, 126 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 14 Greenshank, 9 Snipe, 700 Sandwich Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher, 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, a Redstart, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Corn Bunting. Flying south were 56 Teal, 2 Pintail, a Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 25 Buzzard, 2 Turnstone, a Greenshank, 2 Great Skua, 2047 Sandwich Tern, 24 Common Tern, an Arctic Tern, 19 Commic Tern, a Hobby, 320 Sand Martin and 65 Swallow.
A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 17 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet and a Reed Warbler; and 8 retraps: a Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

Wood Sandpiper, 28th August 2019.

Video - Ben Ward

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 28th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 27th. Hot and sunny, then thunderstorms late in day.
On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Wigeon, a Pintail, 34 Shoveler, 12 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 139 Avocet, 7 Golden Plover, 63 Lapwing, a Knot, 6 Spotted Redshank and 319 Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh a Mediterranean Gull. Birds around, including those trapped, were 11 Gadwall, 82 Teal, 14 Tufted Duck, 31 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 142 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 10 Snipe, 696 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 5 Common Tern, a Cuckoo, a Hobby, a Peregrine, 3 Chiffchaff, 42 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 16 Lesser Whitethroat, 45 Whitethroat, 7 Goldcrest, 6 Pied Flycatcher, a Black Redstart, a Redstart, 7 Whinchat, a Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtail and a Corn Bunting. Going southeast were 5 Buzzard; and south a Whimbrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Swift, 2 Hobby, 3350 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Tree Sparrow.
The twelfth and final session of CES, with Rebecca Hardwick, was done this morning. The 19 new birds were 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, a Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Robin, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, a Dunnock and a Blackbird. The 9 retraps were a Robin, 2 Blackbird, 3 Wren, a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Whitethroat.

Spotted Redshank, 27th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Whitethroat, 27th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Wigeon, 27th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 27th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 26th. Hot and sunny.
On Tennyson's Sands were 17 Spoonbill, 110 Avocet, 68 Lapwing and 8 Spotted Redshank. Around, including birds trapped, were 25 Gadwall, 79 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 17 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 7 Buzzard, 6 Common Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 600 Sandwich Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stock Dove, a Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 800 Sand Martin, 450 swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, 12 Willow Warbler, 11 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 39 Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Redstart, 11 Whinchat and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Kingfisher, 43 Swift, 1582 Sand Martin, 170 Swallow, 42 House Martin, 22 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Greenfinch. In off the sea came 17 Teal.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Redstart, 3 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Blue Tit and 3 Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 3 Robin, a Wren, a Great Tit and 3 Dunnock.
An overnight moth trapping session on Rock Ridge, just south of the Visitor Centre, by Nige Lound produced 370 moths of 55 species. New for Year were Canary-shouldered Thorn and Yellow Belle. Other notable records included 72 Square-spot Rustic, 2 Archer's Dart, 3 White-point, Coast Dart and Dark Sword-grass.

Coast Dart
Photo - Nige Lound

White-point
Photo - Nige Lound

Canary-shouldered Thorn
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Yellow Belle
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Latticed Heath
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Blood Vein
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Sea Aster Mining Bee (Rare Mining Bee found in saltmarsh and coastal habitat)
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Redstart, ringed 26th August 2019.

Photo - George Gregory

Pied Flycatcher, 26th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Whinchat, 25th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 25th. Misty start, gradually clearing, then hot and sunny.
On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 86 Avocet, 70 Lapwing and 6 Spotted Redshank. Birds around, including birds trapped, were 128 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 11 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzard, 141 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Common Sandpiper, 12 Green Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 4 Snipe, 700 Sandwich Tern, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Hobby, 90 Sand Martin, 180 Swallow, 40 House Martin, 13 Willow Warbler, 19 Blackcap, 18 Lesser Whitethroat, 53 Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Treecreeper, 17 Pied Flycatcher, 13 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, a Wheatear, 8 Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and 124 Goldfinch. Flying south were 4 Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshank, 11 Greenshank and 9 Yellow Wagtail; and west a Grey Heron.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Wren, 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Whinchat; and 7 retraps: a Robin, a Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Willow Warbler.

Misty start, 25th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Pied Flycatcher, warming up early morning, 25th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 25th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 25th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 24th. Hot and sunny.
Birds around, including those trapped, were a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper a Greenshank, 40 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 43 Whitethroat, 2 Treecreeper, 12 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, 21 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear and 3 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron, 8 Spoonbill, a Little Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshank and 3 Greenshank. Offshore were 3 Black Tern. Going north was a Great Skua; and south were 2 Marsh Harrier, a Wood Sandpiper, an Arctic Skua and a Tree Sparrow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Rebecca Hardwick, produced 35 new birds: 3 Wren, 14 Willow Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, a Great Tit, a Whinchat and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: a Wren, a Great Tit, a Redstart, a Blackcap and 3 Long-tailed Tit. The retrapped Redstart weighed 13.6g, having increased from 12.7g when ringed here on August 21st.

Pied Flycatcher, 24th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 24th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Whinchat, ringed 24th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 23rd. Whilst Willow Warbler numbers were slightly reduced, Whitethroat were abundant and in groups of up to 10, with a day count of 127; along with 41 Blackcap and 26 Lesser Whitethroat. Visible migration between 0700 and 0900hrs involved a steady stream of Swallow and Sand Martin and lower numbers of Swifts. A mid-morning movement of raptors involved 4 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and an Osprey through. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, 3 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 36 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 12 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 25 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and a Yellowhammer. Heading south in the evening was a Wood Sandpiper.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, 4 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Robin, a Whinchat and 3 Dunnock; and 2 retrap Robin.
Willow Emerald Damselfly was confirmed as a new breeding species for the reserve.

Willow Emerald Damselfly, ovipositing 23rd August 2019.

Photo - Chris Bottomer

Whinchat, 23rd August 2019.

Redstart, 23rd August 2019.

Whitethroat, 23rd August 2019.

Whinchat and Wheatear, 23rd August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 23rd August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Yellow Wagtail, 23rd August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Lesser Whitethraot, 23rd August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Spotted Flycatcher, 23rd August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Whinchat, ringed 23rd August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Swallow, 23rd August 2019.

August 22nd. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
Birds around included 3 Eider, a Sparrowhawk, a Common Sandpiper, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Whinchat and 2 Wheatear. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill, 147 Avocet, 9 Spotted Redshank, 242 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull; on Croftmarsh was a Garganey; and on Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill, a Green Sandpiper and 13 Greenshank. Offshore were a Great Skua and 1400 Sandwich Tern. Flying south were 29 Teal, 30 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 3 Arctic Skua, a Black Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull and 10 Yellow Wagtail.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 12 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.

Wheatear, 22nd August 2019.
Photo - Chris Grimshaw

Privet Hawk-moth caterpillar, 22nd August 2019.
Photo - Rebecca Hardwick

Whinchat, 22nd August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Weasel, found dead in East Dunes, 22nd August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control:
Sedge Warbler ringed GPBO 6 August 2019, controlled Wick, Dorset 21 August 2019.

August 21st. A female type Black Redstart was around the Visitor Centre in the morning; and an Osprey flew south mid afternoon. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Spoonbill, 147 Avocet, 65 Lapwing, 142 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 8 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 316 Redshank and 2 Snipe. Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 66 Willow Warbler, a Treecreeper, a Cetti's Warbler, a Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit. Going south were a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 40 Swift, 16 Sand Martin, 65 Swallow, 32 House Martin and 7 Tree Pipit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 29 new birds: 17 Willow Warbler, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Redstart, a Sedge Warbler and a Tree Pipit; and 4 retraps: a Robin, a Linnet and 2 Whitethroat.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 43 new birds: 18 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Treecreeper, a Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, 3 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 12 retraps: 5 Great Tit, 2 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Blue Tit.

An evening moth trapping in the area of Shoveler's Pool of the East Dunes overnight on 20th August produced 448 moths of 59 species. New for Year were Coxcomb Prominent, Dark Spectacle, Frosted Orange, Six-striped Rustic, Flounced Rustic and Hedge Rustic.
Noteworthy records included 19 Archer's Dart, 12 Green Carpet and Gib speciality Rosy Wave. Thanks to Nige Lound for the records, and the photos below.