A quick update to Reported sighting's on the reserve from 17th June to the 20th August. This list is by no means complete but gives a taste of what has been seen during that time.
17th June 2011 -
x2 Marsh Harrier, x2 Green Sandpiper, x2 Spoonbill, x1 Med Gull, x4 Little Ringed Plover, x1 Siskin
22nd June 2011 -
x1 Whimbrel (south), x3 Spoonbill, x70 Swift (South), x14 Crossbill
Seawatching produced - x1 Red Throated Diver, x8 Gannet, x5 Common Scoter, x1 Fulmar, x1 Golden Plover
30th June 2011 -
x1 Willow Tit (A real Gib rarity!)
3rd August 2011 -
x1 Quail (Heard calling over the River Steeping early in the morning), x14 Spoonbill were present on Jacksons by lunchtime, 20,000 Knot on the high tide movement, x1 Roseate Tern
8th August 2011 -
x6 Spoonbill, x1 Marsh Harrier (Male), x1 Spotted Redshank, x4 Common Sandpiper
Swallow numbers continue to build up with decent numbers of Willow Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and Swift passing through the dunes.
Another sighting of two Chinese Water Deer on the reserve was made yesterday.
9th August 2011 -
x23 Little Egret (Roosting in the plantation), x2 Marsh Harrier, x1 Common Buzzard, x5 Spoonbill, x1 Barn Owl.
10th August 2011 -
x8 Spoonbill (Jacksons) x1 Quail (Heard calling over Croft Marsh first thing this morning)
11th August 2011 -
x1 Pintail (Mere), x1 Garganey (Mere), x8 Spoonbill, x150 Black Tailed Godwit (Over Old Saltmarsh at tea time)
12th Auugust 2011 -
x1 Peregrine, x2 Merlin, x1 Marsh Harrier, x1 Sparrowhawk, x1 Tree Pipit (Calling heading south at 6.30am)
15th August 2011 -
x1 Wood Warbler, x4 Whinchat, x1 Pied Flycatcher, x1 Green Woodpecker, x5 Marsh Harrier, x1 Treecreeper, x1 Common Redstart, x6 Crossbill, x4 Turtle Dove, x8 Spoonbill, x35 Willow Warbler
17th August 2011 -
x2 Whinchat, x1 Wheatear, x1 Kingfisher, x2 Marsh Harrier, x5 Spoonbill, Golden Plover & Spotted Redshank seen flying south over saltmarsh with the high tide.
19th August 2011 -
x2 Common Crane (Drifted over), x1 Wheatear
20th August 2011 -
x2 Whinchat, x3 Wheatear, x2 Marsh Harrier, x50 Golden Plover, x8 Yellow Wagtail, x3 Crossbill, x25 Linnet.
Many thanks to members of the Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Facebook Page for the majority of these sightings reports. Keep up the good work, - Cracking Stuff!
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Ringing on 14th Aug 2011
A complete turn around from yesterday with George ringing over at the Observatory resulting in a massive 155 birds processed including 152 New birds and just 3 Retraps.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Sparrowhawk, (3/0) Sand Martin, (108/0) Swallow, (8/0) House Martin, (1/2) Dunnock, (1/0) Robin, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (6/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (7/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (11/0) Willow Warbler, (1/0) Goldfinch and (2/0) Linnet.
A really good day then with both numbers of Hirundines and numbers of Warblers starting to really increase. Several thousand Hirundines flew south during the course of the day past the Observatory whilst the double figure for Willow Warbler is the first day this has happened this year over at the Observatory.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Sparrowhawk, (3/0) Sand Martin, (108/0) Swallow, (8/0) House Martin, (1/2) Dunnock, (1/0) Robin, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (6/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (7/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (11/0) Willow Warbler, (1/0) Goldfinch and (2/0) Linnet.
A really good day then with both numbers of Hirundines and numbers of Warblers starting to really increase. Several thousand Hirundines flew south during the course of the day past the Observatory whilst the double figure for Willow Warbler is the first day this has happened this year over at the Observatory.
Ringing on 13th Aug 2011
Things really sank to the bottom today with George managing to catch just 4 birds including a retrap Dunnock and 3 New Whitethroat.
We don't want to see to many days like this, this Autumn!
We don't want to see to many days like this, this Autumn!
Ringing on 12th Aug 2011
George had a much better day today over at the Observatory with much better weather conditions to assist the catching. The days total was 65 birds processed including 58 New birds and 7 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Sand Martin, (51/0) Swallow, (1/0) Pied Wagtail, (0/1) Wren, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (0/4) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (1/2) Blackcap and (1/0) Linnet.
This was a decent result for a mornings ringing and hopefully a taster of days to come!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Sand Martin, (51/0) Swallow, (1/0) Pied Wagtail, (0/1) Wren, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (0/4) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (1/2) Blackcap and (1/0) Linnet.
This was a decent result for a mornings ringing and hopefully a taster of days to come!
Ringing on 11th Aug 2011
Ringing totals today were virtually nill with just a single New Willow Warbler and a single Retrap Blackcap for all of George's efforts
Hopefully tomorrows weather will be less wet and windy!
Hopefully tomorrows weather will be less wet and windy!
Ringing on 10th Aug 2011
A very quiet day today for George at the Observatory which must of felt more like July than August with bright sunshine and breezy conditions making catching nearly impossible. There were just 7 birds processed, although they were all New birds.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Whitethroat and (5/0) Willow Warbler.
Perhaps the Willow Warblers that we have come to expect around the second week in August are about to arrive in big numbers? we just need a couple of days easterlies to bring them in.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Whitethroat and (5/0) Willow Warbler.
Perhaps the Willow Warblers that we have come to expect around the second week in August are about to arrive in big numbers? we just need a couple of days easterlies to bring them in.
Ringing on 9th Aug 2011
Another day at the Observatory with George trying hard again, resulted in 22 birds processed including 21 New birds and just a single Retrap!
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (19/0) Swallow, (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/1) Blackcap and (1/0) Willow Warbler.
Another average day for the time of year but things still looking promising for when conditions are right.
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (19/0) Swallow, (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/1) Blackcap and (1/0) Willow Warbler.
Another average day for the time of year but things still looking promising for when conditions are right.
Ringing on 8th Aug 2011
George was ringing again over at the Observatory and was rewarded with 44 birds processed including 42 New birds and just 2 Retraps.
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (21/0) Swallow, (1/0) Yellow Wagtail, (1/0) Wren, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/2) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (1/0) Blackcap, (6/0) Willow Warbler, (5/0) Tree Sparrow and (1/0) Linnet.
A cracking day then, quality wise at least. The Tree Sparrows were the first of the year as was the Yellow Wagtail whilst the Garden Warbler was just the third of the year and the second of the Autumn. Things are slowly starting to hot up!
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (21/0) Swallow, (1/0) Yellow Wagtail, (1/0) Wren, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/2) Whitethroat, (1/0) Garden Warbler, (1/0) Blackcap, (6/0) Willow Warbler, (5/0) Tree Sparrow and (1/0) Linnet.
A cracking day then, quality wise at least. The Tree Sparrows were the first of the year as was the Yellow Wagtail whilst the Garden Warbler was just the third of the year and the second of the Autumn. Things are slowly starting to hot up!
C.E.S.No10 7th Aug 2011
Again today turned into another double effort day! George and Ross Ahmed were ringing over at the Observatory whilst Dave vincent and Mick Briggs were completing session number 10 of the C.E.S. at Aylmer Avenue. The days combined catch was 79 birds processed including 58 New birds and 21 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (3/0) Swallow, (5/1) Wren, (1/2) Dunnock, (3/0) Robin, (0/1) Blackbird, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (7/3) Lesser Whitethroat, (6/3) Whitethroat, (2/0) Blackcap, (9/0) Willow Warbler, (1/1) Long Tailed Tit, (2/6) Blue Tit, (1/1) Great Tit, (2/0) Magpie, (2/3) Chaffinch, (12/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Goldfinch.
Another fairy good day with numbers of Warblers continuing to build up slowly although again conditions were not the best for a decent catch with bright sunshine and a stiff breeze.
Later in the afternoon with a bit of help from Lynda Briggs, Mick Briggs managed to get all of the brash from the front of Aylmer to a fire site and also managed to get the whole lot burnt although the last hour of the day was sspent in light to heavy at times rain waiting for the last pile on the fire to burn down to a safe level before leaving for the night at around 9pm!
Another very long day, having started at 5am, but at least all necessary clearing of rides of Wragwort by hand! and then brush cutting and then burning has been done in both of the large enclosures that ringing is carried out in at Aylmer Avenue. They now look cracking for the Autumn rush of migrants!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (3/0) Swallow, (5/1) Wren, (1/2) Dunnock, (3/0) Robin, (0/1) Blackbird, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (7/3) Lesser Whitethroat, (6/3) Whitethroat, (2/0) Blackcap, (9/0) Willow Warbler, (1/1) Long Tailed Tit, (2/6) Blue Tit, (1/1) Great Tit, (2/0) Magpie, (2/3) Chaffinch, (12/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Goldfinch.
Another fairy good day with numbers of Warblers continuing to build up slowly although again conditions were not the best for a decent catch with bright sunshine and a stiff breeze.
Later in the afternoon with a bit of help from Lynda Briggs, Mick Briggs managed to get all of the brash from the front of Aylmer to a fire site and also managed to get the whole lot burnt although the last hour of the day was sspent in light to heavy at times rain waiting for the last pile on the fire to burn down to a safe level before leaving for the night at around 9pm!
Another very long day, having started at 5am, but at least all necessary clearing of rides of Wragwort by hand! and then brush cutting and then burning has been done in both of the large enclosures that ringing is carried out in at Aylmer Avenue. They now look cracking for the Autumn rush of migrants!
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| George Gregory talking Ross Ahmed through the complexities of moult. 7th August 2011. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs |
Ringing on 6th Aug 2011
Another double effort day today with Mick Briggs and Dave Vincent ringing at Aylmer Avenue whilst George was ringing over at the Observatory with a new visitor in the shape of Ross Ahmed, visiting from the Newcastle area and intending to come again in the morning and then hoping to return soon for another session.
The combined catch for the day was 66 birds processed including 55 New birds and 11 Retraps.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Sparrowhawk, (31/0) Swallow, (12/1) House Martin, (2/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Blue Tit, (0/9) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch, (3/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Linnet.
A fairly interesting day but slightly down on numbers, breezy and sunny conditions didn't make for good catching conditions at all. Although there did seem to be plenty of migrants about the dunes.
After ringing at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs managed to find time to get all of the Brash that had been previously raked into piles by Lynda Briggs and Dave Vincent, dragged upto the fire site in the C.E.S. plot. Whilst it was there, it seemed like a good idea to get it all burnt whilst the wind was in the correct position. A good days effort was then topped off when Lynda Briggs and Dave Vincent arrived to help rake up behind Mick Briggs as he whizzed through all of the net rides around the front of Aylmer Avenue with the brush cutter. By the time they had finshed, there was a huge ammount of brash to be burnt, around about 25 hardcore type bags! Another job to be done another day!
The combined catch for the day was 66 birds processed including 55 New birds and 11 Retraps.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Sparrowhawk, (31/0) Swallow, (12/1) House Martin, (2/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/0) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Blue Tit, (0/9) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch, (3/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Linnet.
A fairly interesting day but slightly down on numbers, breezy and sunny conditions didn't make for good catching conditions at all. Although there did seem to be plenty of migrants about the dunes.
After ringing at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs managed to find time to get all of the Brash that had been previously raked into piles by Lynda Briggs and Dave Vincent, dragged upto the fire site in the C.E.S. plot. Whilst it was there, it seemed like a good idea to get it all burnt whilst the wind was in the correct position. A good days effort was then topped off when Lynda Briggs and Dave Vincent arrived to help rake up behind Mick Briggs as he whizzed through all of the net rides around the front of Aylmer Avenue with the brush cutter. By the time they had finshed, there was a huge ammount of brash to be burnt, around about 25 hardcore type bags! Another job to be done another day!
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| The final pile of dry brash is added to the bonfire on the C.E.S. fire site after they were all brush cut last weekend. 6th Aug 2011. Photo - Mick Briggs |
Ringing on 5th Aug 2011
A cracker of a day was had today by George over at the Observatory today with some serious Swallow passage happening numbering in the thousands. The result for the day was 130 birds processed including 125 New birds and just 5 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (2/0) Sand Martin, (111/0) Swallow, (3/0) House Martin, (1/0) Pied Wagtail, (0/2) Dunnock, (2/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/2) Whitethroat, (0/1) Blackcap, (4/0) Willow Warbler and (1/0) Greenfinch.
Some serious Swallow passage resulted in the first three figure day so far this year. Hopefully this will be the first three figure day of many this Autumn. The Pied Wagtail was the first Adult of the year whilst the House Martins were also the first of the year and hopefully the first of many!
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (2/0) Sand Martin, (111/0) Swallow, (3/0) House Martin, (1/0) Pied Wagtail, (0/2) Dunnock, (2/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/2) Whitethroat, (0/1) Blackcap, (4/0) Willow Warbler and (1/0) Greenfinch.
Some serious Swallow passage resulted in the first three figure day so far this year. Hopefully this will be the first three figure day of many this Autumn. The Pied Wagtail was the first Adult of the year whilst the House Martins were also the first of the year and hopefully the first of many!
Ringing on 4th Aug 2011
Ringing by George at the Observatory this morning resulted in 15 birds processed including 14 New and just 1 Retrap.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (10/0) Swallow, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (2/1) Whitethroat and (1/0) Willow Warbler.
Another steady August day.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (10/0) Swallow, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (2/1) Whitethroat and (1/0) Willow Warbler.
Another steady August day.
Ringing on 3rd Aug 2011
George was again over at the Observatory today catching a total of 79 birds made up of 75 New birds and just 4 Retraps!
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (2/0) Sand Martin, (66/2) Swallow, (0/1) Dunnock, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/1) Whitethroat, (3/0) Willow Warbler, (1/0) Linnet and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
A much improved total and ratio of New to Retraps. Hopefully these sort of catch's will continue through out August and beyond.
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (2/0) Sand Martin, (66/2) Swallow, (0/1) Dunnock, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/1) Whitethroat, (3/0) Willow Warbler, (1/0) Linnet and (1/0) Reed Bunting.
A much improved total and ratio of New to Retraps. Hopefully these sort of catch's will continue through out August and beyond.
Ringing on 2nd Aug 2011
A double effort day today with Mike Polling ringing at Aylmer Avenue and George over at the Observatory. The combined result for the day was 50 birds processed including 36 New birds and 14 Retraps.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (24/0) Swallow, (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (0/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (0/1) Chiffchaff, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (2/3) Blue Tit, (0/6) Great Tit, (0/3) Chaffinch, (3/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Goldfinch.
A much better day with the first Swallows of the year being attracted to the storm ridge during active migration. Hopefully these will be the first of many to come this Autumn. Warbler numbers also now are starting to build up.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (24/0) Swallow, (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (0/1) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (0/1) Chiffchaff, (2/0) Willow Warbler, (2/3) Blue Tit, (0/6) Great Tit, (0/3) Chaffinch, (3/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Goldfinch.
A much better day with the first Swallows of the year being attracted to the storm ridge during active migration. Hopefully these will be the first of many to come this Autumn. Warbler numbers also now are starting to build up.
Ringing on 1st Aug 2011
George was ringing again at the Observatory today but only managed 7 birds processed including 4 New birds and 3 Retraps.
These were made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (0/3) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (1/0) Chiffchaff.
These were made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (0/3) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (1/0) Chiffchaff.
C.E.S. No9 31st Jul 2011
Double effort day today with Mick Briggs and Dave Vincent completing the 9th C.E.S. visit whilst George was also ringing over at the Observatory. The result for the day was an impressive 112 birds processed including 77 New birds and 35 Retraps.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (3/0) Swallow, (4/0) Wren, (1/2) Dunnock, (1/0) Robin, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (5/1) Lesser Whitethroat, (10/3) Whitethroat, (7/0) Blackcap, (1/0) Chiffchaff, (17/2) Willow Warbler, (1/0) Goldcrest, (0/8) Long Tailed Tit, (11/2) Blue Tit, (4/10) Great Tit, (0/1) Magpie, (7/5) Chaffinch, (2/1) Greenfinch and (1/0) Linnet.
The Goldcrest was the first of the Summer, being a very young bird seemingly proving breeding on or very close to the Reserve. The Magpie was the fourth to be ringed on the Reserve this year.
In the afternoon Lynda and Mick Briggs accompanied by Dave Vincent Brushcut and raked all of the net rides through the C.E.S. enclosure at Aylmer Avenue. This was following on from many afternoons and most of Saturday spent pulling Wragwort from both the C.E.S. enclosure and the Aylmer Clearing enclosure.
After toilling all afternoon and late into the evening, there was still all of the front of Aylmer to Brushcut at a later date!
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (3/0) Swallow, (4/0) Wren, (1/2) Dunnock, (1/0) Robin, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (5/1) Lesser Whitethroat, (10/3) Whitethroat, (7/0) Blackcap, (1/0) Chiffchaff, (17/2) Willow Warbler, (1/0) Goldcrest, (0/8) Long Tailed Tit, (11/2) Blue Tit, (4/10) Great Tit, (0/1) Magpie, (7/5) Chaffinch, (2/1) Greenfinch and (1/0) Linnet.
The Goldcrest was the first of the Summer, being a very young bird seemingly proving breeding on or very close to the Reserve. The Magpie was the fourth to be ringed on the Reserve this year.
In the afternoon Lynda and Mick Briggs accompanied by Dave Vincent Brushcut and raked all of the net rides through the C.E.S. enclosure at Aylmer Avenue. This was following on from many afternoons and most of Saturday spent pulling Wragwort from both the C.E.S. enclosure and the Aylmer Clearing enclosure.
After toilling all afternoon and late into the evening, there was still all of the front of Aylmer to Brushcut at a later date!
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| C.E.S. net ride before brush cutting on the 31st July 2011. Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Mick Briggs  Photo - Lynda Briggs |
Ringing on 30th Jul 2011
George was again ringing over at the Observatory today assisted by a new face to Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory, in the shape of Mike Hughes. Mike is a trainee from Stickney near Boston and is currently looking towards George to take up his Training.
They were rewarded with 27 birds processed including 22 New birds and 5 Retraps.
the catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Wren, (2/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/5) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (4/0) Willow Warbler and (9/0) Linnet.
The Linnet were a welcome addition to the months ringing totals whilst other warbler numbers are slowly but surely starting to increase.
Hopefully Mike Hughes will become a regular addition to the posts on this Blog.
They were rewarded with 27 birds processed including 22 New birds and 5 Retraps.
the catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Wren, (2/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (4/5) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (4/0) Willow Warbler and (9/0) Linnet.
The Linnet were a welcome addition to the months ringing totals whilst other warbler numbers are slowly but surely starting to increase.
Hopefully Mike Hughes will become a regular addition to the posts on this Blog.
Ringing on 27th Jul 2011
The weather lifted somewhat today which gave George the opportunity to get over to the Observatory to open up some of the nets for the morning. The result was 7 birds processed including 6 New birds and just 1 Retrap.
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Wren, (4/1) Whitethroat and (1/0) Linnet.
The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Wren, (4/1) Whitethroat and (1/0) Linnet.
Ringing on 26th Jul 2011
George arrived back from his holidays yesterday and today he was straight back to ringing at the Aylmer Avneue rather than the Observatory due to the breeze refusing to drop. The result was just 13 birds processed including 6 New birds and 7 Retraps.
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Robin, (0/1) Blue Tit, (1/6) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch and (3/0) Greenfinch
The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Robin, (0/1) Blue Tit, (1/6) Great Tit, (1/0) Chaffinch and (3/0) Greenfinch
Ringing on 24th Jul 2011
Just the one bird ringed today when a quick visit was made to ring the Sparrowhawk pullus at Aylmer Avenue. Unfortunately, of the three birds that had been in the nest early in the week, only one big female had survived the appalling rain through much of the previous week.
This one bird though was fit and well and not too far off fledging so should hopefully be ok.
Interestingly there were 3 young Sparrowhawks seen branching in the farm yesterday from a nest which we had not discovered untill it was too late to ring them. This is a rare year when two pairs manage to breed on the reserve, less than a mile apart!
This one bird though was fit and well and not too far off fledging so should hopefully be ok.
Interestingly there were 3 young Sparrowhawks seen branching in the farm yesterday from a nest which we had not discovered untill it was too late to ring them. This is a rare year when two pairs manage to breed on the reserve, less than a mile apart!
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