George ringed today over at the Observatory with better results than of late. He ended the morning on 13 birds processed including 9 New birds and just 4 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (3/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/1) Wren, (1/0) Dunnock, (2/3) Whitethroat, (1/0) Willow Warbler and (2/0) Reed Bunting.
A pretty good result, indeed the last time we ringed 3 Meadow Pipits in a single day in the Spring was decades ago. They must clearly be breeding in the Saltmarsh area in healthy numbers this years, just occasionally straying into the dunes and then the nets during territory disputes.
The same is basically true of the Reed Buntings, with 12 Ringed this year already, this is certainly the most we have ringed during the Spring of any previous year for the Observatory.
It is starting to look like it could be a record breeding year for many species on the reserve although it it is still early days and predictions can quickly unravel with inclement weather - fingers crossed then for a fine summer breeding season!
Also reported on the reserve on the 7th May 2011 -
x1 Short Eared Owl
x1 Barn Owl
x1 Marsh Harrier
x3 Whimbrel (north)
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Ringing on 6th May 2011
George ringed over at the Observatory today and processed just 5 birds including 2 New birds and 3 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Robin, (1/0) Blackbird, (0/1) Lesser Whitethroat and (0/2) Whitethroat.
George has caught several New Blackbirds at the Observatory in the last few days, where these birds are coming from are a mystery? By now we would expect all breeding Blackbirds on the reserve to be retraps only, so to be catching these New birds is somewhat of a mystery.
Could it be that they are actually late migrants on their return journey to Scandinavia etc?
Another cracking day for the birders on th erserve today with the following reported on the 6th May 2011 -
x2 Red Kites (south am)
x3 Buzzards
x3 Sparrowhawks
x2 Kestrel
x1 Hobby (south)
x4 Ruff,
x4 Black Tailed Godwit
x50 Avocet
x6 Whimbrel
x1 Curlew Sandpiper (Tennysons Sands in the evening)
x1 Stone Curlew (Briefly on theNorth Saltings in the morning)
x15 Swift (south)
x1 Red Rumped Swallow (south at 10.18)
x8 Siskin
x8 Crossbill
Also 13 Species of Butterfly recorded today including Green Hairstreaks everywhere!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Robin, (1/0) Blackbird, (0/1) Lesser Whitethroat and (0/2) Whitethroat.
George has caught several New Blackbirds at the Observatory in the last few days, where these birds are coming from are a mystery? By now we would expect all breeding Blackbirds on the reserve to be retraps only, so to be catching these New birds is somewhat of a mystery.
Could it be that they are actually late migrants on their return journey to Scandinavia etc?
Another cracking day for the birders on th erserve today with the following reported on the 6th May 2011 -
x2 Red Kites (south am)
x3 Buzzards
x3 Sparrowhawks
x2 Kestrel
x1 Hobby (south)
x4 Ruff,
x4 Black Tailed Godwit
x50 Avocet
x6 Whimbrel
x1 Curlew Sandpiper (Tennysons Sands in the evening)
x1 Stone Curlew (Briefly on the
x15 Swift (south)
x1 Red Rumped Swallow (south at 10.18)
x8 Siskin
x8 Crossbill
Also 13 Species of Butterfly recorded today including Green Hairstreaks everywhere!
Ringing on 5th May 2011
Double effort day today with Mike Polling paying he near weekly visit to ring at Aylmer Avenue and George having a brief session at the Observatory. The result was 16 birds processed although with only 6 New birds and 10 Retraps, it would seem that we are now into the quietest time of the year (The period after the Spring migration ceases and before the youngsters from this year have left the nest).
The days combined catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Blackbird, (2/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (1/4) Whitethroat, (1/1) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Blue Tit, (0/1) Great Tit, (0/1) Chaffinch, (0/1) Greenfinch and (1/1) Goldfinch.
The really disappointing thing about this years Spring is that the local populations of some species seemed to have taken an absolute hammering over the winter period, presumably in December 2010. Robins, Dunnocks and Wrens that we would expect to be now be catching daily are simply not on site in normal numbers.
Subsequently we are not now going to be catching the youngsters, especially so of Robin that should be on the wing by now. (Having said that, last year we didn't get the first young Robins last year untill the first week in June although this was a couple of weeks later than normal).
Also Tim ringed 8 more Lapwing pullus today whilst nest monitoring the rest of the marsh area. That makes 12 for the year after the four yesterday, a record year for the Observatory, amply demonstrating the increasing attractiveness of the reserves habitat for waders.
Also reported on the reserve on the 5th May 2011 were -
x1 Buzzard
x1 Wood Sandpiper
x1 Spotted Redshank
The days combined catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Blackbird, (2/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (1/4) Whitethroat, (1/1) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Blue Tit, (0/1) Great Tit, (0/1) Chaffinch, (0/1) Greenfinch and (1/1) Goldfinch.
The really disappointing thing about this years Spring is that the local populations of some species seemed to have taken an absolute hammering over the winter period, presumably in December 2010. Robins, Dunnocks and Wrens that we would expect to be now be catching daily are simply not on site in normal numbers.
Subsequently we are not now going to be catching the youngsters, especially so of Robin that should be on the wing by now. (Having said that, last year we didn't get the first young Robins last year untill the first week in June although this was a couple of weeks later than normal).
Also Tim ringed 8 more Lapwing pullus today whilst nest monitoring the rest of the marsh area. That makes 12 for the year after the four yesterday, a record year for the Observatory, amply demonstrating the increasing attractiveness of the reserves habitat for waders.
Also reported on the reserve on the 5th May 2011 were -
x1 Buzzard
x1 Wood Sandpiper
x1 Spotted Redshank
Ringing on 4th May 2011
George ringed today over at the Observatory and processed 11 birds including 8 New birds and 3 Retraps.
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Wren, (2/0) Blackbird, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (1/2) Whitethroat, (2/0) Chaffinch, (1/0) Goldfinch and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
A less than impressive morning then, though the Spring migration is more or less coming to a close now at Gib, the Reed Bunting will no doubt be breeding locally and the New warblers continue to add to the years warbler total which in also encouraging gathering pace.
On a positive note though Tim Bagworth ringed the first Wader Pullus of the year today with 4 Lapwings ringed whilst nest monitoring.
Also reported on the reserve on the 4th May 2011 were -
x1 Red Kite (South)
x1 Redstart
x1 Ring Ouzel
x1 Spotted Flycatcher
x1 Willow Tit! (this is a serious rarity at Gib!)
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Wren, (2/0) Blackbird, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (1/2) Whitethroat, (2/0) Chaffinch, (1/0) Goldfinch and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
A less than impressive morning then, though the Spring migration is more or less coming to a close now at Gib, the Reed Bunting will no doubt be breeding locally and the New warblers continue to add to the years warbler total which in also encouraging gathering pace.
On a positive note though Tim Bagworth ringed the first Wader Pullus of the year today with 4 Lapwings ringed whilst nest monitoring.
Also reported on the reserve on the 4th May 2011 were -
x1 Red Kite (South)
x1 Redstart
x1 Ring Ouzel
x1 Spotted Flycatcher
x1 Willow Tit! (this is a serious rarity at Gib!)
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Reported - 3rd May 2011
Reported on the 3rd May 2011 -
A cracking day for Gib today with - "A Black Kite appeared over the River Steeping Haven at about 08.55am and caused a mass panic for about 6000 waders and 200 large gulls on the estuary. It spent a minute or so circling and deciding whether to head for Norfolk or coast down the Wash banks - not surprisingly, it opted for the latter and was quickly at about 600ft up, still circling as it drifted south. It was lost after about 6 mins when it was maybe 5km south of Gib", - description of the mornings "rare event" from Kev Wilson - Gibraltar Point Warden.
That's two Black Kites that Kev's found this year! (1st one was attacking a White Tailed Eagle at Ruckland!)
In the afternoon a Red Kite was seen by John Shaughnessy and Richard Doan, circling Aylmer Avenue before heading off North West. A few minutes later a Common Buzzard circled the reserve causing panic to the waders etc on Croft Marsh.
Also reported today was a single Redstart.
A cracking day for Gib today with - "A Black Kite appeared over the River Steeping Haven at about 08.55am and caused a mass panic for about 6000 waders and 200 large gulls on the estuary. It spent a minute or so circling and deciding whether to head for Norfolk or coast down the Wash banks - not surprisingly, it opted for the latter and was quickly at about 600ft up, still circling as it drifted south. It was lost after about 6 mins when it was maybe 5km south of Gib", - description of the mornings "rare event" from Kev Wilson - Gibraltar Point Warden.
That's two Black Kites that Kev's found this year! (1st one was attacking a White Tailed Eagle at Ruckland!)
In the afternoon a Red Kite was seen by John Shaughnessy and Richard Doan, circling Aylmer Avenue before heading off North West. A few minutes later a Common Buzzard circled the reserve causing panic to the waders etc on Croft Marsh.
Also reported today was a single Redstart.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Ringing on 2nd May 2011
For Mick Briggs, Bank Holiday Monday was to be spent trying to catch Wheatears at the Field Station and Storm Ridge.
Unfortunately there were no willing Wheatears but ten minutes after the Spring Traps were set, the resident female Stonechat decided that a meal worm for a ring was a fair deal and duly entered one of the traps.
She was quickly ringed and processed and found to be a 2nd year bird with a good brood patch, confirming that the resident pair are indeed attempting to breed on the Old Saltmarsh.
The traps were left in place and a long wait ensued, after a couple of hours it was finally realised that the male Stonechat had figured out how to take the meal worms out of the spring traps, without setting them off!
A battle of wills then ensued with Mick Briggs repeatedly replacing meal worms and the male Stonechat reapeatedly taking the meal worms without setting them off, which the Stonechat seemed to think highly amusing! It must if been thinking "these free meal worms are great and that stupid human that keeps leaving them in such an obvious place must be a nutter!"
The main problem was that the male Stonechat was only visiting the particular perch that the traps were under every hour or so but eventually though the Stonechat was caught on the 8th meal worm theft attempt, he triggered the trap and was again quickly ringed and processed. Again the male Stonechat was found to be a 2nd year bird with a good "cp" (Cloacal Protuberence). Both birds were of the resident British race.
It had taken all morning for both birds to be caught and still no Wheatears visiting the correct perchs from which they would see the mealworms in the traps and so the day was called a day with 2 birds processed, both New birds and both Stonechats!
It was interesting that both of the Stonechats were 2nd year birds, could these be youngsters that have originated from the Norfolk population that is currently doing so well? See the recent B.T.O. blog post on Stonechats in Norfolk to see how they are doing.
http://btoringing.blogspot.com/2011/04/stonechat-off-to-coast-again.html
These 2 were the 58th and 59th Stonechat ever ringed by the Observatory and hopefully there will be some chicks to ring very soon - watch this space for more news.
Unfortunately there were no willing Wheatears but ten minutes after the Spring Traps were set, the resident female Stonechat decided that a meal worm for a ring was a fair deal and duly entered one of the traps.
She was quickly ringed and processed and found to be a 2nd year bird with a good brood patch, confirming that the resident pair are indeed attempting to breed on the Old Saltmarsh.
The traps were left in place and a long wait ensued, after a couple of hours it was finally realised that the male Stonechat had figured out how to take the meal worms out of the spring traps, without setting them off!
A battle of wills then ensued with Mick Briggs repeatedly replacing meal worms and the male Stonechat reapeatedly taking the meal worms without setting them off, which the Stonechat seemed to think highly amusing! It must if been thinking "these free meal worms are great and that stupid human that keeps leaving them in such an obvious place must be a nutter!"
The main problem was that the male Stonechat was only visiting the particular perch that the traps were under every hour or so but eventually though the Stonechat was caught on the 8th meal worm theft attempt, he triggered the trap and was again quickly ringed and processed. Again the male Stonechat was found to be a 2nd year bird with a good "cp" (Cloacal Protuberence). Both birds were of the resident British race.
It had taken all morning for both birds to be caught and still no Wheatears visiting the correct perchs from which they would see the mealworms in the traps and so the day was called a day with 2 birds processed, both New birds and both Stonechats!
It was interesting that both of the Stonechats were 2nd year birds, could these be youngsters that have originated from the Norfolk population that is currently doing so well? See the recent B.T.O. blog post on Stonechats in Norfolk to see how they are doing.
http://btoringing.blogspot.com/2011/04/stonechat-off-to-coast-again.html
These 2 were the 58th and 59th Stonechat ever ringed by the Observatory and hopefully there will be some chicks to ring very soon - watch this space for more news.
 |
| 2nd year female Stonechat ringed on 2nd May 2011. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Note the 6 old greater coverts and 2 new tertials indicating that the bird is a 2nd year. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Note the two replaced tertials and extremly worn primary's but with a replaced tail. Photo - Mick Briggs  Note contrast between new inner Greater Coverts and five old Outer Greater Coverts. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs |
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Gib Blog becomes LWT Wildlife News!
The blog has recently been listed in the Lincs Wildlife Trust's - Wildlife News page.
Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Observatory at Gibraltar Point was opened in April 1949, one of the earliest in Britain. Over 60 years of observation, ringing and examination of birds there has provided a wealth of information about their location and movements throughout the seasons, their physical condition and changes in their populations, all information essential for framing and implementing measures for their conservation.
Keep up to date with bird ringing news with the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog.
Photo: marsh tit ringed on the 6 April 2011 (Tim Bagworth).
April 2011
Excellent stuff!
You can keep up with the other Lincs Wildlife Trust's other wildlife news at -
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php
Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog
Keep up to date with bird ringing news with the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog.
Photo: marsh tit ringed on the 6 April 2011 (Tim Bagworth).
April 2011
Excellent stuff!
You can keep up with the other Lincs Wildlife Trust's other wildlife news at -
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php
Reported - 1st May 2011
Reported on the reserve on the 1st May 2011 were -
x12 Whimbrel
x2 Wheatear
x2 Ring Ouzel
x1 Garden Warbler
x12 Whimbrel
x2 Wheatear
x2 Ring Ouzel
x1 Garden Warbler
Reported - 30th Apr 2011
Reported on the 30th April 2011 were -
Pink Footed Goose
x3 Brent Goose
x30 Whimbrel
x8 Black Tailed Godwit
x1 Garden Warbler
Pink Footed Goose
x3 Brent Goose
x30 Whimbrel
x8 Black Tailed Godwit
x1 Garden Warbler
Ringing on 27th Apr 2011
An exact rerun of yesterday! Just a single Retrap Whitethroat again today but at least it was a different one to yesterdays!
The Whitethroat today was originally ringed on the 21th April 2011 at the Obs so again it hasn't built up much of a history yet!
Nevermind George, there's always tomorrow...
Also reported on the reserve on the 27th April 2011 were -
x2 Marsh Harrier
x50+ Avocet
x2 Little Ringed Plover
x30+ Golden Plover
x2 Grasshopper Warbler
The Whitethroat today was originally ringed on the 21th April 2011 at the Obs so again it hasn't built up much of a history yet!
Nevermind George, there's always tomorrow...
Also reported on the reserve on the 27th April 2011 were -
x2 Marsh Harrier
x50+ Avocet
x2 Little Ringed Plover
x30+ Golden Plover
x2 Grasshopper Warbler
Ringing on 26th Apr 2011
Well today things really took a turn for the worst! A fair wind and bright skys resulted in George's catch at the Observatory dwindling down to just a single Retrap Whitethroat!
The Whitethroat today was originally ringed on the 20th April 2011 at the Obs so hasn't built up much of a history yet!
Better luck next time George...
The Whitethroat today was originally ringed on the 20th April 2011 at the Obs so hasn't built up much of a history yet!
Better luck next time George...
Ringing on 25th Apr 2011
George had another go over at the Observatory this morning but the migrants now seem to just about have dried up, the result was just 6 birds processed including 4 New birds and 2 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (0/2) Whitethroat, (1/0) Chiffchaff and (2/0) Willow Warbler.
Good effort anyway George, keep it up and you shall reap the reward - eventually! hopefully with a "Rare!"
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (0/2) Whitethroat, (1/0) Chiffchaff and (2/0) Willow Warbler.
Good effort anyway George, keep it up and you shall reap the reward - eventually! hopefully with a "Rare!"
Monday, 2 May 2011
Ringing on 24th Apr 2011
George was over at the Observatory today this morning but results were as is nearly usual now - poor! George ended the day with just 5 birds processed including 4 New birds and 1 Retrap.
With results from the nets being so poor recently, Mick Briggs and Dave Vincent used this Sunday's training session to try for something different. They ended the day with 5 New birds and 1 Retrap.
It was decided that we should try to target a species that we don't ring often and yet turn up on the reserve every year in small numbers and usually attempt to breed - Grasshopper Warbler!
In the afternoon Mick Briggs spent most of the afternoon and early evening waiting for Wheatears to go into Spring Traps around the Field Station area, unfortunately they were not aware of the rules of the game but luckily a Black Redstart that arrived that morning at the Field Station was.
The combined catch for the day of 9 New birds and 2 Retraps was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Black Redstart, (2/0) Grasshopper Warbler, (2/1) Sedge Warbler, (2/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Chiffchaff and (1/0) Willow Warbler.
After much discussion and several reccies around likely Gropper breeding areas on the reserve, it was decided that we should have enough birds present to try to catch this years male Groppers and then target them at the same time next year in the same areas and hopefully find out if we have the same birds coming back to the same areas to breed each year or not. Obviously we will have to try to catch the young birds later on in the season as well incase these are the birds that come back next year to breed in the same areas.
It means some long term effort on a project that will not result in big numbers but hopefully the findings over the next few years will be fascinating!
The result of our endeavours was 2 Male Grasshopper Warblers ringed out of two attempts.
Whilst we were doing this we took the opportunity of to trap some Sedge Warblers whilst the Grasshopper Warblers were being ringed and this resulted in 2 New Sedge Warblers and a single Retrap Sedge Warbler, first ringed on the 25th July 2009 as a juvenile at Aylmer Avenue and not caught since. At least we know now that it has being busily (breeding) along Mill Pond Road for the last two years inbetween trips to Africa!
The Grasshopper Warblers were just the 25th and 26th ever ringed by the Observatory ever! and were just the 3rd and 4th adults ever and the first two to be sexed ever! Amazingly, upon checking the records I found that seven of the previous 24 birds ringed were pullus from one nest in 1979, which means that todays birds were actually just the 18th and 19th full grown Groppers ever! To show just how scarce these are in the hand at Gib, after last years bird ringed in May, the last one was back in July 2003 and before that, the last one was 1996!
The Black Redstart was just the 37th ever for the Observatory. After the three birds ringed at the Field Station in 2009, the last one was back in 2004. We have never had a recovery back of any of the Black Redstarts ringed at the Field Station and bearing in mind that they turn up at the Field Station every Spring for a few weeks on and off, and bearing in mind how easily they enter spring traps, maybe we should be colour ringing them from next year?
There were a pair of Stonechats hanging around the Old Saltmarsh near the Field Station for most of the afternoon, these two birds have been hanging around for around three weeks now and would appear to attempting to breed. Hopefully they might end up in a Spring Trap before long, maybe the next time we are trying to catch Wheatears?
All in all, a cracking day for the Observatory, with plenty to think of for the future. Dave Vincent was more than happy with the day with two ringing ticks! Grashopper Warbler in the morning and Black Redstart in the afternoon - can't be bad!
Also reported on the reserve on the 24th April 2011 were -
x2 Whimbrel
x1 Greenshank
x21 House Martin
x3 Sand Martin
x10 Swallow
x2 Stonechat
x9 Fieldfare (South)
x1 Brambling
x4 Lesser Whitethroat
x12 Whitethroat
x6 Willow Warbler
x4 Chiffchaff
x4 Blackcap
x1 Barn Owl
With results from the nets being so poor recently, Mick Briggs and Dave Vincent used this Sunday's training session to try for something different. They ended the day with 5 New birds and 1 Retrap.
It was decided that we should try to target a species that we don't ring often and yet turn up on the reserve every year in small numbers and usually attempt to breed - Grasshopper Warbler!
In the afternoon Mick Briggs spent most of the afternoon and early evening waiting for Wheatears to go into Spring Traps around the Field Station area, unfortunately they were not aware of the rules of the game but luckily a Black Redstart that arrived that morning at the Field Station was.
The combined catch for the day of 9 New birds and 2 Retraps was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Black Redstart, (2/0) Grasshopper Warbler, (2/1) Sedge Warbler, (2/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Chiffchaff and (1/0) Willow Warbler.
After much discussion and several reccies around likely Gropper breeding areas on the reserve, it was decided that we should have enough birds present to try to catch this years male Groppers and then target them at the same time next year in the same areas and hopefully find out if we have the same birds coming back to the same areas to breed each year or not. Obviously we will have to try to catch the young birds later on in the season as well incase these are the birds that come back next year to breed in the same areas.
It means some long term effort on a project that will not result in big numbers but hopefully the findings over the next few years will be fascinating!
The result of our endeavours was 2 Male Grasshopper Warblers ringed out of two attempts.
Whilst we were doing this we took the opportunity of to trap some Sedge Warblers whilst the Grasshopper Warblers were being ringed and this resulted in 2 New Sedge Warblers and a single Retrap Sedge Warbler, first ringed on the 25th July 2009 as a juvenile at Aylmer Avenue and not caught since. At least we know now that it has being busily (breeding) along Mill Pond Road for the last two years inbetween trips to Africa!
The Grasshopper Warblers were just the 25th and 26th ever ringed by the Observatory ever! and were just the 3rd and 4th adults ever and the first two to be sexed ever! Amazingly, upon checking the records I found that seven of the previous 24 birds ringed were pullus from one nest in 1979, which means that todays birds were actually just the 18th and 19th full grown Groppers ever! To show just how scarce these are in the hand at Gib, after last years bird ringed in May, the last one was back in July 2003 and before that, the last one was 1996!
The Black Redstart was just the 37th ever for the Observatory. After the three birds ringed at the Field Station in 2009, the last one was back in 2004. We have never had a recovery back of any of the Black Redstarts ringed at the Field Station and bearing in mind that they turn up at the Field Station every Spring for a few weeks on and off, and bearing in mind how easily they enter spring traps, maybe we should be colour ringing them from next year?
There were a pair of Stonechats hanging around the Old Saltmarsh near the Field Station for most of the afternoon, these two birds have been hanging around for around three weeks now and would appear to attempting to breed. Hopefully they might end up in a Spring Trap before long, maybe the next time we are trying to catch Wheatears?
All in all, a cracking day for the Observatory, with plenty to think of for the future. Dave Vincent was more than happy with the day with two ringing ticks! Grashopper Warbler in the morning and Black Redstart in the afternoon - can't be bad!
Also reported on the reserve on the 24th April 2011 were -
x2 Whimbrel
x1 Greenshank
x21 House Martin
x3 Sand Martin
x10 Swallow
x2 Stonechat
x9 Fieldfare (South)
x1 Brambling
x4 Lesser Whitethroat
x12 Whitethroat
x6 Willow Warbler
x4 Chiffchaff
x4 Blackcap
x1 Barn Owl
 |
| David Vincent holding the first Grasshopper Warbler of 2011, ringed on 24th April. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs |
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Ringing on 23rd Apr 2011
Double effort day today with George ringing over at the Observatory in the morning whilst Mick Briggs was over at Aylmer Avenue. The result was just a miserable 21 birds processed including 11 New birds and 10 Retraps. It was bright and sunny with a gentle breeze but clearly migrant birds were a bit on the short side with several birders I (Mick Briggs) spoke to saying that they had never seen the reserve so quiet!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Blackbird, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (5/5) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Great Tit, (0/1) Greenfinch and (2/2) Goldfinch.
Not a great result for having both sites open but the steady catch of warblers keeps there annual total creeping up at a time when we don't get that many usually.
Also reported on the reserve on the 23rd April were -
x1 Short Eared Owl
x1 Barn Owl
x1 Buzzard
x2 Marsh Harrier
x4 Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Ruff
Little Ringed Plover
Whimbrel
x2 Grasshopper Warbler
Brambling
x1 Fieldfare (North - am)
x1 Cuckoo
x7 Muntjac (4 Males and 3 Females)
Broad Bodied Chaser
Record numbers of Green Hairstreak - 500+ in one spot! 1000's over the whole reserve! Many butterflies were on the wing today in the near tropical conditions by midday.
N.B. - Please read on after the photo's below for info on the "Best Twitch in the World Ever!"
In the afternoon Lynda Briggs, Kev Wilson and myself (Mick Briggs) travelled over to Ruckland near Louth to get to grips at long last with the White Tailed Eagle that has been travelling up and down the East Coast although it has seemed to be spending most of its time in the area just South of Louth.
We had a strong feeling that today was going to be jackpot day as we had Dave Sat' watching the bird in a tree when we set off from Skegness. On route the bird flew and he lost it! Our hearts sank but before we arrived there, he had refound it close by, again sat in a tree.
Upon arrival we quickly saw the bird and then phoned Nigel Lound (Gib regular) who then set off from Skegness. The bird remained in the tree and Nige and his partner Kath connected in timely fashion, which then allowed us to move to a better position to view the "monster in the tree".
Shortly after moving, Nige spotted a Kite flying into the valley. Upon seeing the Kite, Kev started shouting "Black Kite!" and seconds later it became apparent that we had just discovered a stunning Black Kite circling the tree that the Eagle was in!
Whilst watching the Black Kite moving through the valley, Lynda (who was the only one still watching the Eagle) then started shouting "The eagle's flying!".
We all switched our attention to the "Monster" that was now lazily flapping it's way through the valley before being totally dumfounded to see that the Eagle was now being attacked in flight by the Black Kite!!!!!
What an incredible experience! I thought to myself "Carlsberg don't do twitches but if they did, they would probably be the best twitches in the world!"
Kev managed to video both birds that afternoon. The Eagle was a splendid wonder and yet amazingly hard to catch up with, I had spent literally days looking for this bird and had now finally got it off my "Lincs List". The Black Kite was a "find first" for Kev Wilson who was absolutely ecstatic!
Luckily the birds stayed in the area that evening and the next morning, a large ammount of birders and twitches from both Lincolnshire and farther afield connected with both birds through out the day. What a result!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Blackbird, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (5/5) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Great Tit, (0/1) Greenfinch and (2/2) Goldfinch.
Not a great result for having both sites open but the steady catch of warblers keeps there annual total creeping up at a time when we don't get that many usually.
Also reported on the reserve on the 23rd April were -
x1 Short Eared Owl
x1 Barn Owl
x1 Buzzard
x2 Marsh Harrier
x4 Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Ruff
Little Ringed Plover
Whimbrel
x2 Grasshopper Warbler
Brambling
x1 Fieldfare (North - am)
x1 Cuckoo
x7 Muntjac (4 Males and 3 Females)
Broad Bodied Chaser
Record numbers of Green Hairstreak - 500+ in one spot! 1000's over the whole reserve! Many butterflies were on the wing today in the near tropical conditions by midday.
N.B. - Please read on after the photo's below for info on the "Best Twitch in the World Ever!"
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| Speckled Wood photographed on the 23rd April 2011. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  The second Sedge Warbler ringed of 2011 on the 23rd April. Photo - Mick Briggs  The second Sedge Warbler ringed of 2011 on the 23rd April. Photo - Mick Briggs |
We had a strong feeling that today was going to be jackpot day as we had Dave Sat' watching the bird in a tree when we set off from Skegness. On route the bird flew and he lost it! Our hearts sank but before we arrived there, he had refound it close by, again sat in a tree.
Upon arrival we quickly saw the bird and then phoned Nigel Lound (Gib regular) who then set off from Skegness. The bird remained in the tree and Nige and his partner Kath connected in timely fashion, which then allowed us to move to a better position to view the "monster in the tree".
Shortly after moving, Nige spotted a Kite flying into the valley. Upon seeing the Kite, Kev started shouting "Black Kite!" and seconds later it became apparent that we had just discovered a stunning Black Kite circling the tree that the Eagle was in!
Whilst watching the Black Kite moving through the valley, Lynda (who was the only one still watching the Eagle) then started shouting "The eagle's flying!".
We all switched our attention to the "Monster" that was now lazily flapping it's way through the valley before being totally dumfounded to see that the Eagle was now being attacked in flight by the Black Kite!!!!!
What an incredible experience! I thought to myself "Carlsberg don't do twitches but if they did, they would probably be the best twitches in the world!"
Kev managed to video both birds that afternoon. The Eagle was a splendid wonder and yet amazingly hard to catch up with, I had spent literally days looking for this bird and had now finally got it off my "Lincs List". The Black Kite was a "find first" for Kev Wilson who was absolutely ecstatic!
Luckily the birds stayed in the area that evening and the next morning, a large ammount of birders and twitches from both Lincolnshire and farther afield connected with both birds through out the day. What a result!
Friday, 29 April 2011
Ringing on 22nd Apr 2011
Bank Holiday Friday and George was ringing again today at the Observatory and later, at Aylmer Avenue. He was joined today by a visiting ringer - Chris Hansell. They ended the day with 23 birds processed including 15 New birds and 8 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Wren, (0/1) Robin, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (1/0) Blue Tit, (1/0) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch and (6/5) Goldfinch.
The Lesser Whitethroat was just the second of the year whilst the Garden Warbler was the first of the year! The Garden Warbler was the joint second earliest ever, matching a bird ringed on the 22nd April 1968. Indeed there have only ever been three April Garden Warblers ringed at Gib ever, besides today's and the 1968 bird there was also one on the 24th April 1983 and then the earliest ever on the 21st April 1996.
So today's Garden Warbler misses out on the earliest ever record by just three days, this is seriously early though when you consider that there have only been 24 years when Garden Warblers were caught in May, let alone April out of the 62 years that ringing has been going on at Gib. Generally we don't get Garden Warbler off the year list for the Observatory untill at least June/July and often as late as August.
A pretty good day then, what will tomorrow bring?
Mick Briggs meantime was frantically trying to get Purple Heron in Lincolnshire by positioning himself in the hide at "Huttoft Pit" at 5.30am in the morning. By 8am there was no sign of the bird mainly due to the hopeless fog and mist that kept visibilty down to less than a hundred feet all morning.
Upon arriving at Gib at 9.30am he recieved a text saying that the Heron was on show! A few expletives were heard in the Gib carpark before he jumped back in the car and shot off back to Huttoft!
The bird remained on show for Mick Briggs to get cracking views in the now increasing sun. Amazing though that such a big bird can disappear into the reeds for lengthy periods before showing again. Just shows how big and thick the reeds can get in a healthy reed bed.
Below is the best of a bad bunch of digiscoped shots that i managed to get.
By the time I got back in the car, I was mentally exhausted and decided to go home to bed!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Wren, (0/1) Robin, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (1/0) Blue Tit, (1/0) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch and (6/5) Goldfinch.
The Lesser Whitethroat was just the second of the year whilst the Garden Warbler was the first of the year! The Garden Warbler was the joint second earliest ever, matching a bird ringed on the 22nd April 1968. Indeed there have only ever been three April Garden Warblers ringed at Gib ever, besides today's and the 1968 bird there was also one on the 24th April 1983 and then the earliest ever on the 21st April 1996.
So today's Garden Warbler misses out on the earliest ever record by just three days, this is seriously early though when you consider that there have only been 24 years when Garden Warblers were caught in May, let alone April out of the 62 years that ringing has been going on at Gib. Generally we don't get Garden Warbler off the year list for the Observatory untill at least June/July and often as late as August.
A pretty good day then, what will tomorrow bring?
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| The 1st Garden Warbler of the 2011 - joint second earliest ever, ringed on the 22nd of April. Photo - George Gregory |
Upon arriving at Gib at 9.30am he recieved a text saying that the Heron was on show! A few expletives were heard in the Gib carpark before he jumped back in the car and shot off back to Huttoft!
The bird remained on show for Mick Briggs to get cracking views in the now increasing sun. Amazing though that such a big bird can disappear into the reeds for lengthy periods before showing again. Just shows how big and thick the reeds can get in a healthy reed bed.
Below is the best of a bad bunch of digiscoped shots that i managed to get.
By the time I got back in the car, I was mentally exhausted and decided to go home to bed!
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| Purple Heron at Huttoft Pit on the 22nd April 2011. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs |
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Ringing on 21st Apr 2011
George again ringed today, firstly at the Observatory and then later on, over at Aylmer Avenue with the result that 23 birds were processed with 13 New birds and 10 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retraps) - (0/1) Great Spotted Woodpecker, (1/1) Whitethroat, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (1/1) Great Tit, (0/2) Greenfinch, (8/5) Goldfinch and (1/0) Linnet.
Not the most stunning result of the year so far but three more Warblers keep the total creeping up and Spring Warblers at Gib in some years are often in very short supply.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker was originally ringed on the 18th Dec 2010 and has now been caught four more times including today. It had a well defined Brood Patch today and so must be breeding some where either close to the reserve or on it? Hopefully it will bring it young for some peanuts when they fledge.
The Retrap Whitethroat was originally ringed at The Observatory on the 21st June 2010 as a juvenile and has it would seems returned to breed exactly where it was born having now been trapped twice since its return on the 20th April.
Well done George, more of the same tomorrow hopefully.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retraps) - (0/1) Great Spotted Woodpecker, (1/1) Whitethroat, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (1/1) Great Tit, (0/2) Greenfinch, (8/5) Goldfinch and (1/0) Linnet.
Not the most stunning result of the year so far but three more Warblers keep the total creeping up and Spring Warblers at Gib in some years are often in very short supply.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker was originally ringed on the 18th Dec 2010 and has now been caught four more times including today. It had a well defined Brood Patch today and so must be breeding some where either close to the reserve or on it? Hopefully it will bring it young for some peanuts when they fledge.
The Retrap Whitethroat was originally ringed at The Observatory on the 21st June 2010 as a juvenile and has it would seems returned to breed exactly where it was born having now been trapped twice since its return on the 20th April.
Well done George, more of the same tomorrow hopefully.
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| 2nd year female Great Spotted Woodpecker retrapped on the 21st Apr 2011 and sporting a well defined brood patch. Photo - George Gregory |
Ringing on 20th Apr 2011
George was back in action today ringing at the the Observatory first thing before switching to Aylmer Avenue at dinner time for a few hours. There were 21 birds processed with 15 New birds and just 6 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retraps) - (0/1) Meadow Pipit, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (2/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (3/0) Chiffchaff, (1/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Great Tit, (2/3) Greenfinch, (3/0) Goldfinch and (1/0) Siskin.
The Sedge Warbler was the first one of the year and this is surprisingly not actually early historically. Although consider that as recently as 2008 we had no Spring Sedge Warblers caught at all and in 1994 we caught none at all during the entire year!, it is actually quite a good result. Mostly the Gib Sedge Warbelrs turn up during tyhe second week in May although there have been around 10 years since 1949 when they have been caught during April. The earliest catches ever were on the 20th April 1983, 19th April 1968 and an amazingily, the earliest record ever was the 9th April 1989! Overall, in recent years, the 20th is a fairly early date for the first Sedge Warbler.
The Meadow Pipit retrap is the 3rd one caught this year and was actually ringed on the 23rd June 2010 as a nestling on the reserve, the first retrap of a Gib nestling in recent years.
The Lesser Whitethroat was also the first of the year and is four days earlier than last year and six days earlier than 2009. Indeed todays bird was actually the earliest ever beating the previous earliest ever Lesser Whitethroat ringed on 24th Apr 2010. This species seems to be arriving earlier and earlier with virtually no April records before the start of the new millenium.
The Siskin was the 40th New Sikin ringed this year which is a very respectable Spring total for Gib. The Goldfinch pictured below showed some interesting colour tones amongst it head feathering today when caught at Aylmer Avenue today.
All good stuff!, good effort George, wonder if there will be any possible firsts for the year, left for me (Mick Briggs) to catch by next weekend?
Also Reported on the reserve on the 20th Apr -
Hoopoe! (Report recieved by email on the 24th Apr!)
The catch was made up thus (New/Retraps) - (0/1) Meadow Pipit, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (2/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (3/0) Chiffchaff, (1/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Great Tit, (2/3) Greenfinch, (3/0) Goldfinch and (1/0) Siskin.
The Sedge Warbler was the first one of the year and this is surprisingly not actually early historically. Although consider that as recently as 2008 we had no Spring Sedge Warblers caught at all and in 1994 we caught none at all during the entire year!, it is actually quite a good result. Mostly the Gib Sedge Warbelrs turn up during tyhe second week in May although there have been around 10 years since 1949 when they have been caught during April. The earliest catches ever were on the 20th April 1983, 19th April 1968 and an amazingily, the earliest record ever was the 9th April 1989! Overall, in recent years, the 20th is a fairly early date for the first Sedge Warbler.
The Meadow Pipit retrap is the 3rd one caught this year and was actually ringed on the 23rd June 2010 as a nestling on the reserve, the first retrap of a Gib nestling in recent years.
The Lesser Whitethroat was also the first of the year and is four days earlier than last year and six days earlier than 2009. Indeed todays bird was actually the earliest ever beating the previous earliest ever Lesser Whitethroat ringed on 24th Apr 2010. This species seems to be arriving earlier and earlier with virtually no April records before the start of the new millenium.
The Siskin was the 40th New Sikin ringed this year which is a very respectable Spring total for Gib. The Goldfinch pictured below showed some interesting colour tones amongst it head feathering today when caught at Aylmer Avenue today.
All good stuff!, good effort George, wonder if there will be any possible firsts for the year, left for me (Mick Briggs) to catch by next weekend?
Also Reported on the reserve on the 20th Apr -
Hoopoe! (Report recieved by email on the 24th Apr!)
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| Goldfinch ringed on the 20th Apr 2011 at Aylmer Avenue showing some unusual colour tones amongst the head feathering. Photo - George Gregory |
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Ringing on 19th Apr 2011
Double Sessions were the order of the day with George ringing at the Observatory during the morning with Mike Polling ringing at Aylmer Avenue for a very long session from early morning onwards. The result was 46 birds processed which included 18 New birds and 28 Retraps!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Robin, (1/0) Blackbird, (2/2) Whitethroat, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Coal Tit, (0/1) Blue Tit, (1/6) Great Tit, (0/2) Chaffinch, (1/3) Greenfinch, (10/12) Goldfinch and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
A fair day, but with two sites being ringed at the same time, we would of hoped for better, it would seem that the spring migrants are really only trickling through whilst the out going finches and the likes have all but gone, although 10 New Goldfinch are alwasy a bonus and 22 Goldfinch handled in one day can't be all bad!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Robin, (1/0) Blackbird, (2/2) Whitethroat, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Coal Tit, (0/1) Blue Tit, (1/6) Great Tit, (0/2) Chaffinch, (1/3) Greenfinch, (10/12) Goldfinch and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
A fair day, but with two sites being ringed at the same time, we would of hoped for better, it would seem that the spring migrants are really only trickling through whilst the out going finches and the likes have all but gone, although 10 New Goldfinch are alwasy a bonus and 22 Goldfinch handled in one day can't be all bad!
Monday, 25 April 2011
Ringing on 18th Apr 2011
George was ringing at the Observatory again today with a little help from Tim during a flying visit mid morning. Nets were open for most of the morning with the result that 10 birds were processed including 9 New birds and just 1 Retrap.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (1/1) Wren, (1/0) Robin, (1/0) Wheatear, (2/0) Blackcap, (2/0) Willow Warbler and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
The Meadow Pipit was the second of the year ringed whilst the Wheatear was the third of the year ringed, not bad when you consider that normally we wouldn't really expect to get either of these species untill at least August, Spring catches of these two species are highly unusual.
Not a bad day then, despite the low numbers, the quality of the catch was well above average.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (1/1) Wren, (1/0) Robin, (1/0) Wheatear, (2/0) Blackcap, (2/0) Willow Warbler and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
The Meadow Pipit was the second of the year ringed whilst the Wheatear was the third of the year ringed, not bad when you consider that normally we wouldn't really expect to get either of these species untill at least August, Spring catches of these two species are highly unusual.
Not a bad day then, despite the low numbers, the quality of the catch was well above average.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Ringing on 17th Apr 2011
A truly dismal day today although George tried his best over at the Observatory during the morning, there were only two birds processed. They were a single New Robin and a single Retrap Wren.
On a much more positive side, George's Robin was the 1,000th bird ringed this year so far, so Well done George! just a few more thousand to go! However at the present rate of increase in the ringing totals, we shall be a long time doing the next thousand! Roll on the Autumn! Although there are still plenty of breeding birds on the reserve to mop up yet!, and to be honest there should still be plenty of Spring migrants to push through yet.
In the afternoon we held our first Meeting for 2011 of the Observatory Team which went very well. Lots was discussed and many decisions agreed upon, news of which I will post on here at the appropriate time.
Reported on the reserve on the 17th April were -
x1 Hen Harrier
Grasshopper Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Wheatear
On a much more positive side, George's Robin was the 1,000th bird ringed this year so far, so Well done George! just a few more thousand to go! However at the present rate of increase in the ringing totals, we shall be a long time doing the next thousand! Roll on the Autumn! Although there are still plenty of breeding birds on the reserve to mop up yet!, and to be honest there should still be plenty of Spring migrants to push through yet.
In the afternoon we held our first Meeting for 2011 of the Observatory Team which went very well. Lots was discussed and many decisions agreed upon, news of which I will post on here at the appropriate time.
Reported on the reserve on the 17th April were -
x1 Hen Harrier
Grasshopper Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Wheatear
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| Esteemed Observatory Team Members Tim Bagworth and Mark Grantham after our Obs Team meeting. Photo - Mick Briggs |
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