Mid October 2013

October 20th: Increasing southerly wind, mostly cloudy, occasional light rain.
 Around were 2 Richard's Pipit, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Peregrine and a Green Woodpecker. On the Mere were 56 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Spotted Redshank. Heading south were 8 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 18 Rock Pipit, a Grey Wagtail, 129 Woodpigeon, a Rook, 4 Swallow, a House Martin, 22 Skylark, a Crossbill and 278 Goldfinch.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was better than yesterday's one. The new birds were 4 Goldcrests, a Brambling, a Goldfinch and 4 Blackbirds; while the retraps were 2 Goldcrests, 2 Robins, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.
  Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue a longer ringing session by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 29 new birds and 26 retraps. The new birds were 9 Greenfinch, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 2 Blue Tit and singles of Great Tit, Song Thrush, Blackcap and Lesser Redpoll. The retraps were 9 Greenfinch, 4 Robin, 3 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Blackbird and a Dunnock.

October 19th: Moderate SSE wind, cloudy, damp start, occasional rain.
  Birds around included the Great White Egret on New Saltmarsh, 2 Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, an Arctic Skua, a Yellow-browed Warbler near North Car Park, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. On the Mere were a Kingfisher, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Flying south were a Richard's Pipit, 2 Swallow, 11 Crossbill, 100+ Goldfinch, a Yellowhammer and 70 Pink-footed Geese; and west 6 Barnacle Geese.

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The news were 2 Goldcrests and a Song Thrush, and the retraps 2 Robins, 4 Goldcrests and a Great Tit.
  Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue there was an all day ringing session carried out by Mick Briggs, helped for the late morning and afternoon part of the day by Molly Heal (George Gregory's new trainee). The result was 69 new birds and 31 retraps. The new birds were 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Great Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch and 13 Goldfinch. The retraps were made up of the usual suspects of tits and finches from the feeding station.
 
  There has clearly been a huge clear out of birds since last weekend including 95% of the Robins and thrushes. Finch passage seems to have practically stopped with just Goldfinches on the move in a modest number. Hopefully we will have another block of easterlies before long which will hopefully bring with it more migrants.

October 18th: Light south-east wind, cloudy.
  A Great White Egret flew south over Old Saltmarsh, landed briefly on New Saltmarsh, then flew off south-west down the Wash. It reappeared later. Visible migration south continued, with a Hawfinch, 25 Tree Sparrow and 9 Swallow being notable. Birds around included 2 Great Grey Shrike, a Richard's Pipit, a Firecrest and a Buzzard Spp. A Merlin tried to attack one of the Great Grey Shrikes, which flew off west.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced moderate results. The new birds were 3 Goldcrest, 3 Dunnock, 4 Robin, a Reed Bunting, 4 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 2 Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird. The retraps were a Wren, a Dunnock, a Robin, a Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Great Tit.
  Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Team Member Mike Polling tried a long ringing session. The results were pretty good with 68 new birds and 30 retraps. The new birds were 3 Wren, 5 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 9 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 18 Greenfinch and 6 Goldfinch. The retraps were made up of the usual suspects, mainly from the feeding station.

October 17th: Moderate south-westerly wind, generally clear.
  After a clear night even more of the landed migrants had moved on. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, a Long-eared Owl, a Hen Harrier, a Pied Flycatcher, a Woodcock, a late Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
  Visible migration was again good, birds flying south including a Great Grey Shrike, a Woodlark, a Hawfinch, a Common Buzzard, 119 Swallow, 36 Rock Pipit, 85 Goldfinch, 36 Brambling, 52 Siskin, 36 Tree Sparrow, a Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Grey Wagtail, 86 Skylark, 6 Rook, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Mistle Thrush and 80 Redpoll. Heading to Norfolk were 168 Pink-footed Geese.
  The catch on a morning ringing session in East Dunes was small, but probably reflected what was present. The news were 2 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird. The retraps were 9 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Blackbird and a Robin.
  An evening roost catch at Aylmer Avenue, in near perfect conditions, apart from a nearly full moon, resulted in 12 new birds and 4 retraps. The new birds were 7 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 1 Blackcap, a Swallow (possibly the latest ever ringed at Gibraltar Point) and a Tawny Owl (the first full-grown bird of the year).

First-year Tawny Owl ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 17th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

October 16th: Moderate south-east wind, cloudy, rain early afternoon.
 Almost all of yesterday's landed thrushes, Robins, Goldcrests and other migrants had moved on, following an often clear night. The best birds around were a Richard's Pipit, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike and a Hawfinch. Also around were a Merlin, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 18 Goldcrests and 6 Chiffchaffs. A Long-eared Owl was found dead under an Elder in East Dunes. It weighed 162g, and its pectoral muscle and fat scores were both 0. This possibly indicated exhaustion after flying a long way across the North Sea. The body will be sent off for post-mortem analysis.
 Visible migration was prominent, with many birds flying south, including another Hawfinch, 420 Goldfinches, 67 Siskins, 52 Bramblings, 140 Greenfinches, 34 Skylarks, 8 Swallows, 242 Woodpigeons, 118 Starlings, 32 Rock Pipits, 6 Barnacle Geese and 7 Rooks. Heading west were 44 Pink-footed Geese, and east 14 Fieldfares.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced modest results. The new birds were 2 Goldcrest, a Dunnock, 2 Robin, 4 Reed Bunting, 4 Blackcap, a Goldfinch, 6 Redwing, a Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird and 3 Jay. The retraps were 3 Goldcrest, 5 Robin, a Redwing, a Dunnock, a Blackcap and a Blue Tit. It remains to be seen whether the 3 Jay represent the beginning of another irruption.
  Very kindly, Graham Catley sent us some pictures of the Richard's Pipit, that he took yesterday. Please scroll down to October 15th to view the images.
  If you scroll down to the pictures of Sunday, October 13th, you will see a picture of the Spotted Crake on the Mere from Russell Hayes, and also a picture of one of the Jack Snipes on the Mere from Gerry Stud of the East Berkshire RSPB Group.
  Thanks very much to all who have contributed the excellent pictures of some of the stars of the last week at Gibraltar Point.

Jay, ringed 16th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Long-eared Owl, found dead 16th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Long-eared Owl, found dead 16th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

October 15th: Moderate variable wind, mostly cloudy.
 Around, including birds trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Richard's Pipit, 2 Great Grey Shrike, a Pied Flycatcher, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 6 Ring Ouzel, 50 Brambling, a Green Woodpecker and a Woodcock.
 A prolonged ringing session in East Dunes was productive. The 122 new birds ringed were 21 Goldcrest, 4 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 24 Robin, 9 Dunnock, 6 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 6 Reed Bunting, a Swallow, 3 Greenfinch, 12 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, a Great Grey Shrike (just the 12th for the Observatory), a Woodcock and a Sparrowhawk. The retraps were 9 Robin, a Wren, 6 Goldcrest, a Blackbird, a Dunnock and a Redwing.
  An all day ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by visiting ringers Mick Pearson and Kev Hemsley was also productive, using half the nets, although including the feeding station, and finishing just before roost time, resulted in 116 new birds ringed and around 60 retraps. The new birds were - 5 Dunnock, 16 Robin, 2 Ring Ouzel, 17 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 8 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 26 Greenfinch and 8 Goldfinch.



 

Richard's Pipit - 15th October 2013 © Graham Catley

Richard's Pipit - 15th October 2013 © Graham Catley 

Woodcock, ringed 15th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Great Grey Shrike, ringed 15th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Sparrowhawk, ringed 15th October 2013.
Photo - Jenni Godber

October 14th: Decreasing easterly wind, mostly cloudy, wet start then rain cleared.
  The best birds around were 2 Richard's Pipit, 2 Great Grey Shrike, a Grey Phalarope, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Woodlark, a Black Redstart, 30 Ring Ouzel, 3 Barnacle Geese, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Jack Snipe.  On the Mere were a White-rumped Sandpiper, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Jack Snipe, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel over. Other birds around or south were 2500 Redwing, 250 Fieldfare, 3 Crossbill, 14 Mistle Thrush, 90 Brambling and 50 Siskin.  Flying south were 9 Swallow and 8 Reed Bunting. At sea 2 Leach's Petrel and 3 Little Gull flew north.

  A delayed and restricted ringing session in East Dunes was successful. The 71 new birds were a Wren, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 9 Blackcap, 30 Robin, a Dunnock, 5 Reed Bunting, 5 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Blackbird, while the retraps were 3 Goldcrest and 2 Robin.
  With the wind calming to almost a dead still, an evening roost catch at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs resulted in the best roost catch total at Aylmer Avenue in some years, despite there seeming to be very few birds about half an hour before sunset whilst the nets were opened. There were 81 birds caught - 77 new birds and 4 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 6 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 27 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 23 Blackbird and 1 Ring Ouzel. The retraps were 2 Goldcrest, 1 Robin and 1 Great Tit.

October 13th: A horrible start to the day with a strong north-easterly wind and driving rain. However, birds were clearly present in good numbers, obviously grounded by the rough conditions.
  The road through the reserve was covered at first light with birds hunkering down out of the wind. The weather moderated late morning.
  Around, including birds trapped, were a flyover Hawfinch, a Pallas's Warbler (East Dunes), 3 Firecrest, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 ringed in East Dunes and 1 at Sykes Farm), a Bluethroat (East Dunes), 1 Snow Bunting, 3 Redstart, 1 Marsh Harrier, at least 4 Great Grey Shrikes  (2 between Storm Ridge and Wash Viewpoint, 1 East Dunes Central and 1 on the Freshwater Marsh), a Spotted Crake (on the Mere early afternoon and well watched by an appreciative crowd!) along with 3 Jack Snipe. There were many Goldcrests, Robins and thrushes arriving all day with many moving off inland (numbers to be tallied up).
  South went 260 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Swallow and 4 House Martin.
  Sea watching produced 380 Gannet north, 8 Great Skua north & 13 south, 4 Leach's Petrel north, a remarkable 3 Storm Petrels north (a new Gibraltar Point record), 2 Velvet Scoter north, 1 Scaup south, 1 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Artic Skua north, 2 juvenile Pomarine Skuas north and 1 juvenile south, 9 Skua spp (Mostly Pomarine/Arctic but 1 probably a juvenile Long-tailed Skua).

 A much-delayed and restricted ringing session in East Dunes was productive with 79 new birds ringed. The new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, 41 Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 18 Robin, 6 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing and 6 Blackbird; and the retraps were a Robin, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Blue Tit.

  Birds recorded flying south or west at Aylmer Avenue were - 500 Redwing, 200 Song Thrush, 90 Fieldfare, 200 Blackbird, 24 Ring Ouzel, 2 Swallow, 100 Goldfinch, 20 Chaffinch, 110 Brambling and 90 Redpoll spp. Landed birds around Aylmer Avenue included 200 Redwing, 90 Song Thrush, 20 Fieldfare, 220 Blackbird, 12 Ring Ouzel, 30 Blackcap, 20 Chiffchaff, 200 Goldcrest, 170 Robin and 40 Brambling,
  Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, ringers were waiting to go from first light but had to wait until 11am to get nets open. The total for the day was 314 new birds ringed! The new birds were - 1 Kestrel, 13 Dunnock, 56 Robin, 1 Redstart, 7 Ring Ouzel (Believed to be a new day record for the Observatory), 63 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 18 Song Thrush, 20 Redwing, 6 Blackcap, 20 Chiffchaff, 58 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit, 7 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 17 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and 6 Common Redpoll!
  Possible the best bird of the day though in ringing terms was a Chiffchaff - wearing a "Riks Museum - Stockholm" ring from Sweden (what a cracking bird!)

  The weather forecast for the whole of next week is practically identical to this weekend - Easterlies and associated showers with heavier rain, often after dark. This looks like it could be an incredible week to follow an incredible weekend, probably the best weekend of the last decade at least!

Jack Snipe on the Mere on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Gerry Studd

A distant Spotted Crake on the Mere on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Russell Hayes



Ring Ouzels No.3, 4, 5 & 6 ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 13th October 2013.
(Two females on the left and two males on the right)
Photo - Mick Briggs

Common Redpoll ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Another Common Redpoll ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs 

Ring Ouzels No.1 & 2 (both first-year males) ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

First-year male Fieldfare ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

First-year female Kestrel ringed on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Liv Vincent

First-year female Redstart ringed on 13th October 2013.
Photo - Liv Vincent

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 13th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

October 12th: The day started of with a good breeze from the north-east, accompanied by some light drizzle, then the north-easterly wind unexpectedly moderated and the drizzle mostly held off until 2pm, at which point the precipitation started to get heavier and heavier.  As predicted yesterday afternoon an amazing day on the reserve with thousands of migrants, including large numbers of thrushes arriving throughout the day with smaller birds such as Goldcrests and Robins arriving in large numbers from midday onwards.

  Birds around, excluding Aylmer Avenue, including those trapped, included a Pallas's Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 59 Chiffchaff, 3 Jack Snipe, a Richards Pipit, 2 Black Redstart, a Great Grey Shrike (and possibly a second bird), 55 Ring Ouzel (including a flock of 7 and a flock of 12 in off the sea), 2 Common Redpoll, a Lesser Whitethroat, 50 Blackcap, 2 Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Bunting (Including one on Mill Pond Road), 2 Woodcock, 2 Firecrest (Beach Car Park and East Dunes). There were large numbers of Redwing (3000+ James Siddle), Song Thrush (400+ James S.), Fieldfare (40+ James S.), Goldcrest, Robin and Blackbird with final numbers to be tallied up.
  Flying south-east was a Red-throated Pipit (at 12.29 calling four times, heard by at least four experienced observers whilst waiting for views of the Pallas's Warbler); and south 4 Swallows, 8 Mistle Thrush, and 170 Brambling.
  At sea, 114 Gannet, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 48 Little Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 21 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 8 Pomarine Skua and 2 Long-tailed Skua went north. Southwards went 3 Gannet, a juvenile Pomarine Skua at 1pm and 26 Pink-footed Geese.

  A delayed ringing session in East Dunes was unexpectedly productive, with 145 new birds ringed. The new birds were 31 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, a Pallas's Warbler (just the 5th for the Observatory, and the first since 2008), 56 Robin, 3 Reed Bunting, 9 Blackcap, a Dunnock, 12 Song Thrush, 17 Redwing, 9 Blackbird and a Great Grey Shrike (just the 11th for the Observatory); while a Wren was retrapped; and a there was a control Blackcap with a Stavanger Museum, Norway ring.

 At Aylmer Avenue, the morning was very busy, but from midday onwards the feeding station was closed due to an increasingly obvious arrival of small migrants, in particular Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, accompanied by large numbers of Robins. The rest of the nets were then used until just before the rain started again around 2pm. The result was 250 new birds ringed and just 3 retraps.
  Exact totals of the new birds were - a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Wren, 4 Dunnock, 66 Robin, a Ring Ouzel, 35 Blackbird, 19 Song Thrush, 25 Redwing, 10 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 21 Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 33 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch and 10 Lesser Redpoll (the first ones of the year). The retraps were a Dunnock, a Kingfisher and a Coal Tit.

  Birds on the move at Aylmer Avenue, heading mainly south or west, included 800 Redwing, 30 Fieldfare, 27 Ring Ouzel, 200 Song Thrush, 10 Mistle Thrush, 200 Blackbird, 40 Brambling, 20 Chaffinch, 20 Greenfinch, 120 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin and 30 Redpoll sp. Whilst birds grounded by the conditions, including a large arrival after lunchtime, involved 300+ Goldcrest, 30+ Chiffchaff, 350+ Robin, 2 Woodcock (flushed whilst on net rounds) and 5 Ring Ouzel.

Pallas's Warbler ringed at the Observatory on 12th October 2013.
Photo - James Siddle

Great Grey Shrike at the Observatory on 12th October 2013.
Photo - James Siddle

Bramblings on the path near the Mere Hide on 12th October 2013.
Photo - James Siddle

First-year male Ring Ouzel ringed on 12th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

First-year male Ring Ouzel ringed on 12th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Great Grey Shrike, ringed 12th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

October 11th: Strong north-easterly wind, cloudy, occasional spells of light rain.
  A great day on the reserve today with the wind switching to an easterly direction. Birds started to pour onto the coast from early morning with more arriving throughout the day.
  Around, including birds trapped, were a Richard's Pipit on New Saltmarsh east of Sleeper Track along with 4 Jack Snipe, a Firecrest, 6 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 37 Ring Ouzel (there were 15 in a single flock including adult males), 20 Brambling and 25 Robin. Heading south or inland were 3500 Redwing, 30 Fieldfare and 140 Song Thrush. On the Mere were 2 Spotted Redshank. At sea were 8 Pomarine Skua (including 2 adults), while other birds north were a Long-tailed Skua, 2 Storm Petrel, 38 Great Skua, 9 Arctic Skua and 13 Little Gull; and south 6 Great Skua and 2 Scaup.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with just the sheltered nets, was productive. The 83 new birds were a Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap, 9 Robin, a Brambling, 41 Redwing, 9 Song Thrush, 11 Blackbird and a Ring Ouzel; and the retraps were a Great Tit and a Wren.

 With north-easterly winds and accompanied rain, tomorrow looks like it could be great day on the reserve with the possibility of a fall highly likely. If you are undecided about coming to the reserve tomorrow, GET DOWN HERE BIRDING! It could be an amazing day!

Brambling, ringed 11th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Ring Ouzel, ringed 11th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Early October 2013

October 10th: Strong north-west wind, rainy spells.
 Around were a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, 5 Swallows and 2 Redwings. On the sea was an Eider. On the Mere were 2 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks and 28 Dunlins, and on Tennyson Sands 74 Black-tailed Godwits and a Dunlin. Highlights of sea-watching were 15 Sooty Shearwaters, 7 Manx Shearwaters and 8 Little Gulls north; and 2 Great Skuas, 2 Manx Shearwaters and 21 Kittiwakes south. South over land went a Grey Wagtail, a Lapland Bunting and 74 Redwings.
 No ringing was attempted.

October 9th: Increasing south-westerly wind, cloudy.
 Birds around included a Goldcrest, 25 Siskins and 15 Long-tailed Tits. On the water bodies were 4 Greenshanks, 2 Spotted Redshanks and 47 Black-tailed Godwits. Southward movers included 22 Reed Buntings, 15 Chaffinches, 27 Meadow Pipits, 8 Swallows, a Grey Wagtail and 3 Skylarks.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was moderately successful. The 20 new birds were 4 Reed Buntings, a Great Tit, 7 Meadow Pipits, 7 Chaffinches and a Greenfinch; and the 2 retraps were a Dunnock and a Robin.

October 8th: Moderate south-westerly wind, mostly cloudy.
 Around were 6 Goldcrests and a Green Woodpecker. On the water bodies were 3 Spotted Redshanks. Flying south were 80 Meadow Pipits, 24 Reed Buntings, 15 Chaffinches, 4 Bramblings, 6 Skylarks, 8 Tree Sparrows and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided only single retraps of Dunnock and Chaffinch.
 Trapped moths new for the year were Dusky-lemon Sallow and Mallow.

Dusky-lemon Sallow.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Mallow.
Photo - Nigel Lound

October 7th: Moderate south-westerly wind, alternating clouds and sun.
 A Yellow-browed Warbler was in the Plantation. Also around were a Merlin and 2 Pintails. South went 17 Pink-footed Geese, 20 Skylarks, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Lapland Bunting. On Tennyson Sands were 30 Little Egrets.
 There was only a modest catch in a morning ringing session in East Dunes. New birds were 2 Blackcaps, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; while the retraps were a Wren, a Robin and 2 Dunnocks.

October 6th: Light south-westerly wind, mostly sunny.
  Around was a Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Little Owl. A Richard's Pipit flew south over Jackson's Marsh. Heading south were four Grey Herons, 20 Siskins, 40 Linnets, 150 Goldfinches, 10 Bramblings and 20 Tree Sparrows.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just 19 new birds, which were a Chiffchaff, 3 Wrens, 3 Robins, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Dunnocks, a Goldfinch, 3 Meadow Pipits and 2 Song Thrushes, whilst the retraps were 2 Dunnocks, a Wren and a Robin.
  A much longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs, and David and Liv Vincent resulted in 51 new birds and 28 retraps. The new birds were 25 Greenfinches, 7 Tree Sparrows, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Wrens, 2 Great Tits, 2 Bramblings, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Song Thrushes, a Robin and a Chiffchaff. The retraps were made up mostly of the usual finches and tits from the feeding station.
 Trapped moths new for the year were Palpita vitrealis and Blair's Shoulder-Knot.

Tree Sparrow ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 6th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

Tree Sparrow ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 6th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

First-year Male Brambling ringed at Aylmer Avenue on 6th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

Palpita vitrealis.
Photo - Nigel Lound

October 5th: Light westerly wind, cloudy.
  A Siberian Stonechat was discovered near the Field Station/Visitor Centre. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Hobby (hunting Dragonflies along the West Dunes), Long-eared Owl, a Wheatear, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Greenshanks, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Ring Ouzel, 6 Redwings, 10 Bramblings, 3 Redstarts, 20 Chiffchaffs and a Garden Warbler. On the water bodies were a Jack Snipe, 9 Spotted Redshanks and 60 Black-tailed Godwits. Flying south were 6 Eiders, a Hobby, a Common Buzzard, 10 Swallows, 20 Bramblings, 10 Siskins, 7 Grey Wagtails, 40 Linnets, 50 Chaffinches, 50 Goldfinches, 150 Greenfinches, 100 Meadow Pipits, 200 Reed Buntings and 50 Tree Sparrows. A group of 6 Common Cranes were seen flying off in the distance heading South.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes was productive, resulting in 59 new birds and 12 retraps. The new birds were 3 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, 29 Reed Buntings, 4 Dunnocks, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Robins, 5 Tree Sparrows, 2 Great Tits, a Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 5 Song Thrushes, a Blackbird and a Ring Ouzel. The retraps were a Redstart, a Wren, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Blackcaps, a Great Tit, a Dunnock and 2 Robins.
  Meanwhile, a 12.5 hour ringing session by Mick Briggs at Aylmer Avenue, aided by Jenny Godber in the morning and then in the afternoon by James Siddle and his friend Ian Thompson, resulted in 196 new birds and 38 retraps. The highlight of the day was when 2 Kingfishers went into the same net at the same time, one new and one retrap,  ringed at the Observatory on Thursday. This is thought to be the first time that two Kingfishers have been caught in the same net at Gibraltar Point ever. "A Great day's ringing if ever there was one."
  The new birds were a Woodpigeon, a Kingfisher, 5 Wrens, 3 Dunnocks, 12 Robins, a Redstart, a Song Thrush, a Redwing, 5 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits, a Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 117 Greenfinches and 14 Goldfinches. The 38 retraps were made up of the usual suspects (tits, finches etc).

Siberian Stonechat, 5th October 2013.
Photo - Russel Hayes

Double first-year male Kingfishers in the hand at Aylmer Avenue on 5th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Double first-year male Kingfishers in the hand at Aylmer Avenue on 5th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Double first-year male Kingfishers in the hand at Aylmer Avenue on 5th October 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Ring Ouzel, ringed 5th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

October 4th: Moderate southerly, then south-westerly, wind; clouds and sun.
  A Great White Egret flew west early morning, and a Spoonbill and 6 Tree Sparrows south. Around were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Ring Ouzel, a Redstart, 10 Goldcrests, a Firecrest and 11 Bramblings.
  There was a modest catch in a morning ringing session in East Dunes. The new birds were 6 Blackcaps, a Robin, a Garden Warbler and 4 Song Thrushes; and the retraps were 2 Robins, 2 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a Goldcrest and a Dunnock.
 A Vestal was in a moth trap.

Vestal.
Photo - Nigel Lound

October 3rd: Moderate south-easterly wind, mostly cloudy.
  Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Hawfinch, a Wheatear, 150 Bramblings, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Firecrest and a Ring Ouzel. South went 12 House Martins, 5 Swallows, 4 Tree Sparrows, a Tree Pipit, a Lapland Bunting and a Rook.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes was reasonably good. The news were a Goldcrest, 4 Blackcaps, a Robin, a Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnocks, a Garden Warbler, a Redstart, 9 Song Thrushes, a Redwing, a Kingfisher and a Green Woodpecker (Just the 11th ever for the Observatory, making it rarer in the hand than Tuesday's Red-breasted Flycatcher); and the retraps 8 Robins, a Blue Tit, a Redstart, a Dunnock and a Blackcap.

Kingfisher, ringed 3rd October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Green Woodpecker, ringed 3rd October 2013 - just the 11th for the Observatory ever
Photo - George Gregory

October 2nd: Strong southeasterly wind, cloudy, some morning rain.
  Yesterday's Red-breasted Flycatcher was retrapped, early morning, in East Dunes. Other birds around, including birds trapped, were 2 Firecrests, a Hawfinch, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Redstarts, 75 Robins, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Tawny Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Green Woodpecker, 3 Ring Ouzels, a Wheatear, 30 Bramblings, 50 Redwings and 100 Song Thrushes. Heading south were 40 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Little Gulls, 8 Siskins, a House Martin and 10 Swallows. On the Mere were 6 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Ruffs and 82 Black-tailed Godwits.
  Another restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced quality rather than quantity. The new birds were a Firecrest, 5 Robins, 3 Blackcaps, a Siskin, 10 Song Thrushes and a Redwing; and the retraps 2 Song Thrushes, the Red-breasted Flycatcher and a Robin.

Male Siskin, ringed 2nd October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Firecrest, ringed 2nd October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

October 1st: Strong easterly wind, mostly cloudy.
  A Red-breasted Flycatcher was trapped and ringed at the Bird Observatory, early morning. After release it showed several times over the next few hours near the Heligoland trap. Also around were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, 6 Redstarts, 4 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Firecrest, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart, a Wheatear, 300 Brent Geese, a Common Buzzard, 10 Bramblings, 35 Meadow Pipits and 6 Skylarks. Flying south were 2 Siskins, 13 Bramblings, 3 Swallows and 5 Redwings.
  Again a morning ringing session in East Dunes was restricted by the wind. New birds were the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Just the 13th ever for the Observatory), 5 Robins, a Blackcap and 3 Song Thrushes; and the retraps were a Whitethroat and a Goldfinch.
  Upon checking through the records it has been found that following the spring Red-breasted Flycatcher, the bird today makes two for the year. The last time that two were ringed at Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory in a year was 1949. This was the year that the Observatory was founded.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, ringed 1st October 2013 - just the 13th for the Observatory ever
Photo - George Gregory

Red-breasted Flycatcher, ringed 1st October 2013  - just the 13th for the Observatory ever
Photo - George Gregory

Late September 2013

September 30th: Strong easterly wind, mostly cloudy.
 Birds around were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Firecrest, 3 Ring Ouzels, 40 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Redstarts, 2 Wheatears, 50 Robins and a Spotted Flycatcher. Flying south were a Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, 5 Swallows, 4 Bramblings and 2 Great Skuas. On the Mere were 9 Spotted Redshanks and a Little Ringed Plover.
 Another wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded moderate results. The new birds were 6 Robins, 3 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and 7 Song Thrushes; and the retraps a Robin, a Song Thrush, a Redstart and a Whitethroat.

September 29th: Strong easterly wind, sun and clouds.
 Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 Bramblings, 60 Brent Geese and a Redwing. South went 30 Meadow Pipits and 5 Siskins.
 A restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided just 4 new birds: singles of Robin, Whitethroat, Siskin and Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: singles of Song Thrush and Blue Tit.

Female Siskin, ringed 29th September 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

September 28th: Increasing easterly wind, mostly sunny.
 Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Redstarts, a Ring Ouzel, a Stonechat and a Kingfisher. Flying south were 5 Egyptian Geese, 60 Meadow Pipit, 9 Brambling, 80 Greenfinch, 40 Linnet, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 9 Song Thrush and 14 Redwing.
 There was a moderate catch in a morning ringing session in East Dunes. The news were a Robin, a Redstart, 5 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Tits, a Dunnock and 5 Song Thrushes; and the retraps a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Robin, a Song Thrush and a Dunnock.
  At Aylmer Avenue a ringing session until lunchtime, at which point the wind had got just too strong, resulted in a great catch of 91 new birds and 29 retraps. The new birds were a Wren, 2 Robins, a Song Thrush, a Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Blue Tits, a Great Tit, 3 Chaffinches, 10 Goldfinches and a ridiculous 66 Greenfinches! There was a seemingly endless supply of new birds on every net round at the feeding station, whilst the large resident population seemed to have largely cleared off; possibly to the south? If the weather had been better for ringing, the total could undoubtedly of been a lot higher. Considering the conditions, 20 new birds would have been a good result.

September 27th: Light to moderate south-easterly wind, cloudy then mostly sunny.
 A Cattle Egret was discovered on Freshwater Marsh; later it flew onto Croftmarsh, then south. Other birds around were 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 152 Brent Geese, 8 Redwings and a Marsh Harrier. On the Mere was a Water Rail. Going south were 50 Meadow Pipits, a Lapland Bunting, 5 Tree Sparrows, a Brambling, a Grey Wagtail and 20 Pink-footed Geese; north 4 Little Gulls and 2 Great Skuas; and west more 35 Pink-footed Geese.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 12 new birds: 9 Meadow Pipits, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit and a Song Thrush. Also there were a retrap Robin, and a British-ringed control Robin.
 Trapped moths new for the year were a Satellite and a Green-brindled Crescent.

September 26th: Moderate north-easterly wind, sun and clouds.
 Around were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Common Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwings, a Redstart, a Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaffs and a Stonechat. On the Mere were 31 Black-tailed Godwits. Flying south over land were a Snipe, 6 Bramblings, 25 Meadow Pipits and a Kingfisher. Offshore 47 Brent Geese, 63 Gannets, 47 Common Scoters and 6 Arctic Skuas went north, and 8 Brent Geese, 50 Gannets, 232 Common Scoters and a Pomarine Skua south.
 Few birds were trapped on a morning ringing session in East Dunes, but there was more of a late autumn aspect to them. The new birds were 3 Meadow Pipits, a Brambling, a Redwing and 3 Song Thrushes; and the retraps 2 Wrens. The Brambling, Redwing and Song Thrushes were light, indicating that they were newly arrived.

Redwing, ringed 26th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Brambling, ringed 26th October 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

September 25th: Light wind, cloudy.
 About 450 Pink-footed Geese flew south-west, and 7 Snipes, 100 Meadow Pipits, 18 Skylarks, a Swallow, 2 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, 12 Reed Buntings and a Stock Dove south. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Woodlark, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker and a Brambling. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Greenshanks, 3 Spotted Redshanks, a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and a Peregrine, and on the Mere 84 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Spotted Redshanks.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was moderately successful. The news were 19 Meadow Pipits, 8 Reed Buntings, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Greenfinch; and the retraps a Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Blue Tit.
 Moths new for the year were a Red-Green Carpet and a Yellow-line Quaker.

September 24th: Light wind, cloudy.
 A Woodlark flew southwest; a Kingfisher, 6 Reed Buntings, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Brent Geese and 30 Meadow Pipits south; and 270 Common Scoters north. Birds around were a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Goldcrests, a Green Woodpecker, a Redpoll, a Kingfisher, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Chiffchaffs. Offshore were 46 Sandwich Terns. On the water bodies were 16 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 108 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Pintails and a Water Rail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 22 new birds: 2 Chiffchaffs, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 11 Meadow Pipits, a Whitethroat and 2 Reed Buntings; and 4 retraps: a Wren, a Blue Tit and 2 Blackcaps.

September 23rd: Light wind, mostly clear and bright.
 Around were 5 Pink-footed Geese, a Green Woodpecker, a Whimbrel, a Wheatear, 3 Whinchats, a Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat. Offshore were 57000 Knots. Other waders around were a Common Sandpiper, 9 Greenshanks, a Spotted Redshank and a Little Ringed Plover. South went 45 Meadow Pipits, a Rook, a Marsh Harrier, 30 House Martins and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced moderate results. The news were a Wren, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Robin, 4 Blackcaps, a Reed Warbler, 15 Meadow Pipits, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Linnets, 2 Reed Buntings and a Lesser Whitethroat. The retraps were a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Robins, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush.

September 22nd: Mostly misty until mid morning, then cleared; light south-westerly wind.
 Around were a Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whinchats and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were 18 Pink-footed Geese, 600 Meadow Pipits, 30 Sand Martins, 50 House Martins, and 420 Swallows. On the water bodies were a Water Rail, 42 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Greenshanks, 3 Spotted Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets and 15 Snipe.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided variety rather than numbers. New birds were a Chiffchaff, a Wren, 3 Robins, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Meadow Pipits, a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Kingfisher, and the retraps singles of Robin, Wren and Dunnock.
  A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs, David Vincent and Liv Vincent resulted in 20 new birds and 37 retraps. The new birds were 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Blackcaps and singles of Dunnock, Great Tit, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Wood Pigeon and Grasshopper Warbler. The retraps were made up of mostly tits and Finches.
  The Grasshopper Warbler was the 8th ringed at Gibraltar Point this year , which equals the 1979 record!

The 8th Grasshopper Warbler of 2013 ringed on the 22nd of September.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Meadow Pipit ringed on 22nd of September 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Kingfisher, ringed 22nd September 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

September 21st: Continuing south-westerly wind, cloudy with occasional sunny outbreaks from midday onwards.
 On the move were 2800 Meadow Pipits, 9 Snipes, 2 Rock Pipits, a Hobby, 900 Pink-footed Geese, 160 Wigeons, 23 Pintails, a Lapland Bunting, 3 Grey Wagtails, 15 Brent Geese, 12 Sand Martins, 240 Swallows, 40 House Martins, 30 Linnets and 7 Yellow Wagtails. Around Aylmer Avenue were 10 Siskins, 3 Bramblings, 2 Crossbills, a Green Woodpecker, a Tawny Owl (early doors!) and two Sparrowhawks. Around elsewhere were 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 6 Whinchats and 6 Chiffchaffs. A Wood Sandpiper was over Millenium Ridge. On Jackson's Marsh were a Kingfisher, 3 Spotted Redshanks and 8 Greenshanks, and on the Mere 7 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, 66 Black-tailed Godwits and a Water Rail.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 48 new birds: a Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Robins, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Meadow Pipits, a Swallow, a Great Tit, a Whinchat and a Song Thrush. The retraps were 2 Robins, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Wren.
  Meanwhile, a much longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs and new Trainee, Jenny Godber, resulted in 66 new birds and 64 retraps. The new birds were 9 Meadow Pipits, a Wren, 3 Robins, a Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 7 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits, 3 Chaffinches, 14 Greenfinches and 7 Goldfinches. The retraps were mainly made up of the usual suspects of Blue and Great Tits, Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Goldfinches at the feeding station nets.
  Interestingly it was noticed today that on Friday, George Gregory pushed the new Meadow Pipit total up to a year record total of 236 newly ringed, overturning the previous record year total of 233 from 2002. Another 31 were ringed today pushing the new record total even further. There are a lot more to come through so hopefully the new total at the end of the year will be significantly larger than the previous record total.
 A Feathered Ranunculus in a moth trap was new for the year.