Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

Mid February 2021

February 20th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

Around were 250 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 200 Wigeon, 3000 Lapwing, 600 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Snipe, a Sparrowhawk and a Crossbill. On the sea were a Great Northern Diver, 25 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 6 Red-breasted Merganser.

Chestnut, 20 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Dotted Border, 20 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

March Moth, 20 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

February 19th. Quite strong southerly wind.

Birds around included 423 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 18 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing and 2 Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Goldeneye and a Cetti's Warbler. Going south were 5 Pintail.

February 18th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Around were 2 Eider, 112+ Woodcock, 273 Cormorant, a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Siskin and 8 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Pochard and 71 Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh 120 Wigeon. Heading south were 5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Great Crested Grebe and a Gannet.

February 17th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a Buzzard; on the Mere 4 Pintail; on Croftmarsh then south 32 Pink-footed Goose and 4 White-fronted Goose; and on Tennyson's Sands 20 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Snipe and a Water Rail. Birds around included 300 Wigeon, 12 Woodcock, 3 Snipe, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Sparrowhawk, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, a Treecreeper, 2 Redwing, 2 Stonechat and a Water Pipit. Flying south were 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 17 Common Scoter, a Slavonian Grebe and a Gannet; and north 2 Eider.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Hare in Plantation, 17 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

White-fronted Goose, 17 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

February 16th. Completely thawed out, but moderately strong southerly wind with morning drizzle.

Around were 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcock and a Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 80 Lapwing. Flying north were 6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose; and south 13 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

February 15th. Soggy start; mostly thawed out.

On the sea were a Slavonian Grebe and a Goldeneye. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and 2 Cetti's Warbler; on Jackson's Marsh 4 Snipe; and on Croftmarsh 600 Wigeon and 5 Black-tailed Godwit. Around were 68 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Woodcock, a Treecreeper, 2 Stonechat and a Bullfinch. Going south were a Great Northern Diver and 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Slavonian Grebe, 15 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Winter Aconites starting to flower, 15 February 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

February 14th. Cold start; quite strong south-easterly wind.

There was a large wash-out involving Razor Clams, Sea Urchins, Starfish, Sunstars, Sea Mice and a Velvet Swimming Crab.

Razor Clams, Sea Urchins and Starfish, 14 February 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Velvet Swimming Crab, Sunstar and Sea Mouse, 14 February 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

February 13th. Cold start; quite strong south-easterly wind.

On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Whooper Swan, a Pochard and a Water Rail. Birds around included 150 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Snipe, a Kingfisher, 2 Fieldfare, 17 Redwing and a Water Pipit. Heading south were 3 Goldeneye and a Fulmar; and east 3 Black-tailed Godwit.

Snipe, 13 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

February 12th. Frozen start; moderately strong south-easterly wind.

Around were 438 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Snipe, 32 Woodcock. a Mediterranean Gull, a Buzzard, a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, 17 Redwing and 3 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 3 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Snipe and 10 Fieldfare; and on Tennyson's Sands a Pochard, a Water Rail and 3 Snipe.

Measures and Mere, 12 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Mediterranean Gull, 12 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

February 11th. Frozen start, then partial thaw.

Birds around included 150 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 305 Curlew, 382 Sanderling, 13 Woodcock, a Snipe and a Peregrine.

Two Merlins, 11 February 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Meadow Pipit, 11 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Early February 2021

February 10th. Frozen start, then late morning snow.

On Tennyson's Sands were 604 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Light-bellied Brent Goose; on Jackson's Marsh 2 Black-tailed Godwit; on the Mere 2 Pochard; and on Croftmarsh 179 Pink-footed Goose. Around were a White-fronted Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 65 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Treecreeper, 4 Fieldfare and 11 Redwing. Heading east was a Water Pipit; and north a Kittiwake

Goldeneye, 10 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Pochard, 10 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Ringed Plover, 10 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Sparrowhawk and Brent Geese, 10 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

February 9th. Frozen start, then partial thaw; quite strong north-easterly wind; occasional snow flurries.

Birds around included 12 Woodcock. On Croftmarsh were 150 Pink-footed Goose.

February 8th. Strong north-easterly wind, with intermittent snow.

Around were 16 Woodcock and a Sparrowhawk. On Croftmarsh were 21 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 50 Lapwing and a Snipe; and on Jackson's Marsh a Black-tailed Godwit. Flying north were 2 Kittiwake.

Curlew, 8 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Snow, 8 February 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

February 7th. Strong, cold easterly, then north-easterly, winds.

Birds around included a Woodcock, a Kittiwake, a Buzzard and a Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 566 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Going south was a Goldeneye; and north a Gannet.

February 6th. Rain for most of day.

February 5th. Soggy start.

Birds around included 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 300 Sanderling. On Wainfleet Marsh were 100+ Pink-footed Goose.

Sanderling, 5 February 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

February 4th. Soggy start.

Around were 537 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker and a Fieldfare. On Wainfleet Marsh were a Barnacle Goose, a Tundra Bean Goose, 1000 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Eurasian White-fronted Goose; on Jackson's Marsh a Pochard and 5 Black-tailed Godwit; on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Sparrowhawk; and on Croftmarsh 1000 Lapwing.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 February 2021.
Photo - Rob Watson

Barnacle Goose, 4 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Eurasian White-fronted Goose, 4 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Tundra Bean Goose, 4 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Loind

February 3rd. Birds around included 222 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Barnacle Goose, 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 2200 Lapwing, 2 Hen Harrier, a Buzzard and a Merlin. Heading south were 200 Golden Plover. On Jackson's Marsh was a Pochard.

Pochard, 3 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

February 2nd. Rain and drizzle until late morning.

Around were 2 Grey Partridge, 531 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 485 Pink-footed Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher and 3 Stonechat.

Sallows, 2 February 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

February 1st. Birds around included 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker and a Merlin. On Croftmarsh were 200+ Pink-footed Goose. Going north were a Razorbill, 7 Red-throated Diver and 5 Common Scoter; and south 383 Red-throated Diver, 35 Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

Harvest Mouse lower jaw from owl pellet, 1 February 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Late January 2021

January 31st. Cold start, then sunny.

Around were 550 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 200 Wigeon, 510 Golden Plover, 3 Woodcock, 2 Sparrowhawk, 55 Stock Dove, a Peregrine, a Treecreeper and 2 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 550 Pink-footed Goose; and on or over Tennyson's Sands 7 Pink-footed Goose and a Marsh Harrier. Heading north were a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 169 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet; and south 6 Common Scoter and 312 Red-throated Diver.

January 30th. Quite strong easterly wind.

Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker and a Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose; and on Croftmarsh 7 Pink-footed Goose.

Buzzard, 30 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Marsh Harrier, 30 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Catkins, 30 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 29th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.

On Tennyson's Sands were 46 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Around were 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat, a Bullfinch and 9 Corn Bunting.

January 28th. Rain until mid morning.

Birds around included 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl and 3 Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands was a Water Rail.

January 27th. On Tennyson's Sands were 9 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Marsh Harrier and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Jackson's Marsh 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Water Rail. Around were 2 Buzzard, 565 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, a Brambling and 2 Corn Bunting.

Roe Deer, 27 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Sunset, 27 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Snowdrops, 27 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 26th. Frozen start.

On Croftmarsh were 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Offshore were 300 Red-throated Diver and a Black-throated Diver. Flying north-west were 1170 Pink-footed Goose.

Ringing Recovery:

Sparrowhawk, ringed GPBO 30 September 2020, found dead (patio door strike) Seacroft, Lincolnshire 18 January 2021.

January 25th. Frozen start.

Birds around included 891 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 850 Wigeon, a Woodcock, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 3 Stonechat, a House Sparrow, a Brambling and 5 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands a Cetti's Warbler.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 25 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Brambling, Chaffinches and Goldfinch, 25 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Sanderling, 25 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Frozen start, 25 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 24th. Frozen start.

Around were 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 23rd. Birds around included 709 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Red Kite, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine and 4 Stonechat. On Jackson's Marsh was a Pink-footed Goose. Flying south were 4 Goosander and a Buzzard.

Pink-footed Goose, 23 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat, 23 January 2921.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 22nd. Decreasing south-westerly wind.

Around were 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 21st. Strong south-westerly wind, gradually decreasing.

Birds around included a Woodcock and 4 Water Pipit. On the sea were 5 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Red-throated Diver. Going south were 3 Velvet Scoter, 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 22 Red-throated Diver; and north a Red-throated Diver.

Mid January 2021

January 20th. Strong south-westerly wind, with rain until mid morning.

Around were 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Woodcock, a Buzzard, a Goldcrest and a Treecreeper. On Tennyson's Sands were 430 Wigeon. On the sea were 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Great Crested Grebe. Heading south were 55 Red-throated Diver and a Black-throated Diver.

January 19th. Rain until late morning.

Birds around included a Hen Harrier, a Kingfisher, 2 Goldcrest and 4 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were a Grey Heron and a Merlin.

Ringing Control:

Blackbird, ringed GPBO 28 October 2017, controlled Swindon, Wiltshire 15 January 2021.

January 18th. Around were 27 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Egyptian Goose, 2 Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat and 2 Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 100+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 17th. Birds around included 230 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, an Avocet, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 2 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. Over Croftmarsh were 400 Lapwing, and on Tennyson's Sands 400 Wigeon. Flying south were 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 16 Pink-footed Goose; and west 3 Rook.

Sightings of colour-ringed Sandwich Terns at Gibraltar Point NNR:

Below are summaries:

EFD ringed Ythan Estuary, Scotland 2010; then near Cape Town, South Africa 2013; de Schelhoek, Netherlands 2017; de Kelders, South Africa 2018; GPNNR 2020.

EAT ringed Ythan Estuary, Scotland 2010; then near Swakopmund, Namibia 2012; Walvis Bay, Namibia 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; Ythan Estuary, Scotland 2012; Caithness, Scotland 2016, 2017; Scolt Head, Norfolk 2019; GPNNR 2020.

EKT ringed Ythan Estuary 2010; then Heligoland, Germany 2012; Camperduin, Netherlands 2018, 2019, GPNNR 2020; Findhorn Bay, Scotland 2020.

January 16th. Quite strong south-westerly winds, gradually decreasing, with wintry showers until late morning.

January 15th. Soggy start.

Birds around included a Water Rail and a Fieldfare.

Ringing Control:

Robin, ringed Bloemendall, Netherlands 14 October 2020, controlled GPBO 4 November 2020.

January 14th. Rain all day.

The morning wader roost involved 3900 Oystercatcher, 500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 400 Grey Plover, 500 Knot and 600 Dunlin.

January 13th. Rain from midday.

Around were 330 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, 8 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Stonechat and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Bearded Tit and a Cetti's Warbler.

Sunrise, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Corn Bunting, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Marsh Harrier, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 12th. Birds around included 440 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Hen Harrier, 5 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, 2 Stonechat and a Bullfinch.

Preening Marsh Harrier, 12 January 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Female Bullfinch, 12 January 2010.
Photo - Nige Lound

Male Bullfinch, 12 January 2010.
Photo - Nige Lound

Rock Pipits, 12 January 2010.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 11th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Around were 420 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Heading south offshore were 3 Great Northern Diver.

Early January 2021

January 10th. Frozen start, slowly thawing out.

Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 9th. Frozen.

Around were 2 Marsh Harrier.

January 8th. Frozen start.

Birds around included 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600+ Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk and a Redwing.

Roadside Pond iced over, 8 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 7th. Around were 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Stonechat. On the beach was a probable Viking Gull (Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull hybrid).

Probable Viking Gull (Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull hybrid), 7 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 6th. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5000 Pink-footed Goose, a Hen Harrier and 3 Buzzard. On the sea was a Fulmar.

January 5th. Quite strong north-easterly wind.

Around were 700 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Buzzard, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat and a Water Pipit. On Tennyson's Sands were a Light-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. Flying north were 7 Fulmar and a Gannet.

January 4th. Strong north-easterly wind.

Birds around included 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 300 Lapwing. Going north were a Black-throated Diver, 8 Fulmar, 2 Gannet and 16 Kittiwake; and south 18 Kittiwake.

January 3rd. Some brief rainy spells; otherwise sunny or cloudy.

Around were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Hen Harrier, 2 Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. .

A rain-delayed morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 2 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 5 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Robin and a Wren.

January 2nd. Frozen start, gradually thawing out with sunny spells.

Birds around included 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Cetti's Warbler (Mere Dyke), 11 Redwing and 2 Bullfinch. Heading south were a Gannet, 18 Redwing and 4 Fieldfare; and north a Great Northern Diver.

Tennyson's Sands still iced over, 2 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 1st. Frozen start.

Around, including birds trapped, were 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1650 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Bullfinch and 2 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler. Flying south were 2 Whooper Swan and a Great Northern Diver; north a Gannet; and west a Marsh Harrier.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 5 new birds: 2 Great Tit and 3 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Dunnock, a Goldfinch, a Robin, 4 Blue Tit and a Wren.

Frozen start, 1 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory