Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Mid February 2020

February 20th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind with rain in the afternoon.
A Long-tailed Duck flew south offshore in the morning. 16 Water Pipit were noted to the north of the reserve as they gathered prior to roost. The two Tundra Bean Goose flew over fields west of Croftmarsh with 900 Pink-footed Goose. On Jackson's Marsh were 8 Pintail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Snipe and a Water Pipit; and on Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Grey Heron. Birds around included 70 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 78 Canada Goose, 17 Greylag Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Shelduck, 25 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 178 Wigeon, 106 Mallard, 180 Teal, 41 Tufted Duck, 15 Stock Dove, 9 Little Grebe, 310 Lapwing, 79 Golden Plover, 6 Little Egret, a male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 2 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 35 Starling, 21 Blackbird, 26 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 16 Robin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 28 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 15 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch and a Corn Bunting.

Water Pipit, 20th February 2020.

Photo - Jim Shaw

February 19th. A phenomenal 41 Water Pipit were noted during pre roost activities in the late afternoon. Birds around included 90 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 54 Canada Goose, a Barnacle Goose (on Croftmarsh with Pink-footed Goose early evening), 13 Greylag Goose, 950 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 41 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 232 Wigeon, 104 Mallard, 5 Pintail, 207 Teal, 45 Tufted Duck, a Goldeneye, 9 Stock Dove, 10 Little Grebe, 175 Lapwing, 94 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 6 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, a Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Tawny Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Merlin, 8 Skylark, 4 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 91 Starling, 28 Blackbird, 35 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 15 Robin, 2 Stonechat (1 Visitor Centre car park and 1 out from Mill Hill), 30 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 16 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, a Corn Bunting and 8 Reed Bunting.

Goldeneye, 19th February 2020.

Photos - Ben Ward

February 18th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
Heading south over the sea were 11 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pintail, 3 Teal, 25 Eider, 230 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Kittiwake, 41 Red-throated Diver and a male Marsh Harrier; and north 34 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. The Barnacle Goose and the two Tundra Bean Goose commuted between Croftmarsh and adjacent farm fields with 1048 Pink-footed Goose. On Jackson's Marsh were 11 Pintail, 50 Tufted Duck, a Goldeneye, 34 Stock Dove and 5 Snipe. Birds around included 217 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 22 Canada Goose, 13 Greylag Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 54 Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, 286 Wigeon, 259 Teal, 20 Common Scoter, 3 Eider, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 63 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 14 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 73 Starling, 23 Blackbird, 19 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush, 13 Robin, a House Sparrow, 30 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch and 9 Goldfinch.

Little Egret, 18th February 2020.

Photos - Ben Ward

Kestrel, 18th February 2020.

Song Thrush, 18th February 2020.

February 17th. Moderately strong south-westerly winds.

Flying south over the sea were 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Shelduck, 13 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 25 Red-breated Merganser, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Auk Sp, 25 Red-throated Diver, a Fulmar and 7 Gannet; and north 27 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 39 Common Scoter. On Jackson's Marsh were 9 Greylag Goose, 14 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 12 Pintail, 109 Teal, 36 Tufted Duck, a Goldeneye, 6 Stock Dove, 3 Little Grebe and 5 Snipe. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 900 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Mute Swan, 277 Wigeon, 20 Common Scoter, 708 Eider, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 325 Lapwing, 195 Curlew, a Woodcock, 5 Red-throated Diver, 122 Cormorant, a Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, a male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Peregrine, 5 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 25 Starling, 30 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush, 16 Robin, 3 House Sparrow, a Water Pipit (over Sykes Farm), 3 Rock Pipit, 30 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 5 Linnet and 23 Goldfinch.

February 16th. Strong south-westerly with showers.
The Great Egret flew in from the west and frequented Tennyson's Sands from the late morning; where there were also a Water Rail, a Great Crested Grebe and a Grey Heron; on Jackson's Marsh were 5 Pintail, a Goldeneye, 15 Stock Dove, 7 Snipe and 2 Water Pipit (flew south to roost in the afternoon); on Croftmarsh were 2 Canada Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, 320 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, 71 Curlew, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Redshank and 32 Starling; and on adjacent farm fields the Barnacle Goose was with 1200 Pink-footed Goose. Birds around included 150 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 44 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 357 Wigeon, 64 Mallard, 219 Teal, 34 Tufted Duck, 13 Little Grebe, 12 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 28 Blackbird, 20 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 14 Robin, 32 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 18 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch and 3 Siskin.

February 15th. Strong southerly wind with showers.
On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Pintail, 54 Stock, a Snipe and a Water Pipit; on Croftmarsh were 6 Pintail, 76 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Redshank and 12 Starling; and on Tennyson's Sands a Grey Heron. Birds around included 6 Mute Swan, 17 Shelduck, 41 Shoveler, 56 Gadwall, 388 Wigeon, 119 Mallard, 147 Teal, 31 Tufted Duck, 12 Little Grebe, 15 Little Egret. 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 22 Blackbird, 16 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 13 Robin, a Grey Wagtail, 24 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 10 Greenfinch and 12 Goldfinch.

Black-tailed Godwit, 15th February 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

February 14th. A staggering 37 Water Pipit were counted into roost in the late afternoon. On Jackson's Marsh were 11 Pintail, 5 Snipe and a Great Egret (briefly then to roost). Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 550 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 12 Shoveler, 21 Gadwall, 65 Wigeon, 80 Mallard, 97 Teal, 41 Tufted Duck, 2 Stock Dove, a Water Rail, 59 Curlew, a Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Egret, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 2 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 15 Starling, 16 Blackbird, 25 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 12 Robin and a Stonechat (West Dunes).

Great Egret, 14th February 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

February 13th. A Great Egret was on Croftmarsh briefly in the afternoon prior to flying to the south, where the Barnacle Goose, the two Tundra Bean Goose and 1233 Pink-footed Goose commuted to when not on adjacent farm fields. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Pintail, where a Water Pipit flew over; and on the Mere a Goldeneye. Birds around included 450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 31 Canada Goose, 3 Greylag Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 34 Shelduck, 34 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 210 Wigeon, 138 Mallard, 127 Teal, 27 Tufted Duck, 2 Stock Dove, 15 Little Grebe, 1000 Lapwing, 60 Golden Plover, 90 Curlew, a Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Merlin, 2 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 50 Starling, 25 Blackbird, 16 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 17 Robin, 2 Stonechat (Croftmarsh), 4 Meadow Pipit, 20 Water Pipit (pre roost gathering just to the north of the Reserve), 11 Rock Pipit, 18 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 9 Greenfinch, a Redpoll, 14 Goldfinch, 2 Corn Bunting (from the Visitor Centre car park) and 5 Reed Bunting.

Water Pipit, 13th February 2020.

Photo - Nige Lound

Great White Egret, 13th February 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

Marsh Harrier, 13th February 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

February 12th. Moderately strong westerly wind.
Flying south over the sea were 3 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, a Pintail, 4 Teal, a Goldeneye, 12 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Mediterranean Gull, 93 Red-throated Diver, a Grey Heron and a male Marsh Harrier; south over land 3 Siskin; and north over the sea 5 Common Scoter, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 27 Auk Sp and 30 Red-throated Diver. The Barnacle Goose and a Tundra Bean Goose commuted between Croftmarsh and adjacent farm fields with 1200 Pink-footed Goose. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, a Goldeneye and 5 Snipe. Birds around included 450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Mute Swan, 241 Wigeon, 84 Teal, 32 Tufted Duck, 6 Common Scoter, 6 Stock Dove, 10 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 82 Curlew, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Turnstone, a Woodcock, 2 Auk Sp, 16 Red-throated Diver, 133 Cormorant, a Grey Heron, 9 Little Egret, a male Hen Harrier (over New Saltmarsh in the evening), a Buzzard, 3 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Merlin, 8 Skylark, 4 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 25 Starling, 24 Blackbird, 30 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 18 Robin, 6 Meadow Pipit, a Water Pipit (flew over the West Dunes), 14 Rock Pipit, 21 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, 12 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch, 31 Corn Bunting (pre roost gathering from Visitor Centre car park) and 6 Reed Bunting.

Merlin, at dusk, 12th February 2020.

Photo - Ben Ward

February 11th. Strong westerly winds.
A Lapland Bunting flew over the Wash Viewpoint during the morning, from where a staggering 1629 Eider were counted (second highest site count). The Barnacle Goose and the two Tundra Bean Goose commuted between Croftmarsh and adjacent farm fields with 822 Pink-footed Goose. Also on Croftmarsh were 3 Pintail, 8 Stock Dove, 73 Curlew and 50 Starling; on Jackson's Marsh were 7 Pintail, a Goldeneye, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Pintail and a Grey Heron. Birds around included 320 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 13 Canada Goose, a Greylag Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 48 Shelduck, 34 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall, 292 Wigeon, 108 Mallard, 144 Teal, 31 Tufted Duck, 31 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 120 Lapwing, 31 Ringed Plover, 14 Turnstone, 154 Cormorant, 13 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Merlin, 8 Skylark, 4 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 17 Blackbird, 6 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 16 Robin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 20 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 15 Goldfinch, 3 Corn Bunting (Wash Viewpoint) and 5 Reed Bunting. Flying south over the sea were 8 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Auk Sp and 12 Red-throated Diver; and north a Wigeon, 4 Eider, 2 Common Scoter and 6 Auk Sp.