Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

May 2nd. Another sunny morning with light clouds rolling through on a light southerly breeze and becoming very warm.

Visible migration was busy over the East Dunes and beach with an exceptional spring movement of 160 Yellow Wagtails south between 0700 and 1030hrs. Also on the move were 220 Swallow, 35 Sand Martin, 6 Swift, 49 Whimbrel (with another 21 on the saltings), 8 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 12 Red Kite, 3 Buzzard, a Merlin, a Collared Dove, 300 Woodpigeon, a Grey Heron and various Corvids and Finches. There was low coverage of the sea but a few Sandwich Terns and Little Terns were close inshore, the wader roost held 1800 Oystercatcher and 520 Sanderling, and 2 male Goosander went south close in.

The pair of Garganey were again on Fenland Lagoon showing well at times along with a solitary Greenshank. The Ruff flock of 10 birds continued to show well on Tennyson's Sands along with 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Spoonbill. Elsewhere around the reserve there were 3 Spoonbill (Flying south over the golf course at first light), a Cuckoo, 34 Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Paul Jerem, provided 17 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.

Garganey pair on Fenland Lagoon, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Little Egret on the river Steeping, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

May 1st. A sunny day throughout getting to the mid twenties in the afternoon in a very light south easterly breeze.

Highlights of the day included a fine summer plumaged Spotted Redshank on Jackson's Marsh and on Tennyson's Sands (Harvey's Hide), there were 2 Wood Sandpipers. A Jay flew south down the East Dunes. Seventeen Ruff were still showing well on Tennyson's Sands with 18 Black-tailed Godwits and the Garganey pair were still showing well on fenland Lagoon with a Greenshank.

Early morning visible migration involved a light passage of Swifts, Swallows and Sand Martins over the East Dunes whilst offshore, several parties of Bar-tailed Godwits were heading north-east out of the Wash. Flying south during the afternoon were 50+ Swallows and 4 Little Terns were on location around the sanctuary area. Also around was a Cuckoo and the 2 Cetti's Warblers.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Meadow Pipit; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Two Wood Sandpipers on Tennyson's Sands, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Full summer plumage Spotted Redshank, 1st May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Greenshank, 1st May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

x15 Ruff busily feeding in amongst a pair of Mute Swans, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Male Garganey on Fenland Lagoon, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Jackdaw, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

April 30th. Another sunny day throughout with a cold moderate to strong easterly wind.

Early news concerned a bit of visible migration with Wood Sandpiper, Tree Pipit and Hobby, all heading through. Also the Garganey pair which were still on Fenland Lagoon and 8 Whimbrel were flushed from Bean's Hole. A flock of 17 Ruff arrived on Tennyson's Sands. Also on Tennyson's Sands were 6 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Spoonbill.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldfinch; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.

x17 feeding Ruff on Tennyson's Sands, 30th April 2026

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

x17 Ruff on Tennyson's Sands, 30th April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Blue skies working their way through, April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

East Dunes Coastal dynamic erosion in action, April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Speckled Wood Butterfly enjoying the sunshine, April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Small Copper Butterfly, 30th April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

April 29th. A sunny day throughout, warmer than yesterday but still with a moderate cold north easterly wind.

Highlight of the day was again the pair of Garganey which were again on the Fenland Lagoon. The Black Redstart was still with us at the Visitor Centre garden.

The continued north easterlies resulted in a look at the sea which yielded just an Eider, 6 Artic Tern (North), 5 Sandwich Tern (North), 4 Fulmar (South) and 1 Gannet (North). On the beach and moving past were 150 Grey Plover, 100 Knot, 40 Sanderling and 100 Dunlin.

On the water bodies around the reserve were 28 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 29 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 20 Mallard, 38 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 8 Little Grebe, 43 Avocet, 3 Whimbrel, 38 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank and 3 Spoonbill (Tennyson's Sands).

Elsewhere around the reserve there were 19 Swallow (South), 17 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill), 3 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 10 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road), 5 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat and a Wheatear.

Black Redstart around the Visitor Centre, 29th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Swallow near the boats on the river, 29th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Sleeping Avocets and Common Sandpiper, 29th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Territorial male Pheasants, 29th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

April 28th. A cloudy start, breaking up somewhat later on but staying cold in a moderate north easterly.

Highlights today included a Black Redstart on and around the Visitor Centre which showed well all day and was joined by a Redstart at times. A Ring Ouzel was along North Building Ridge mid morning. During the late morning the pair of Garganey were back on Fenland Lagoon. A Spoonbill flying north over the Old Saltmarsh during the morning was later on Bean's Hole late afternoon.

A look at the sea was disappointing despite the moderate north easterly, resulting in just 3 Common Scoter, 4 Little Tern (North), 22 Artic Tern (North), 119 Sandwich Tern (Including 89 North), 1 Fulmar (North), 1 Gannet (South). On the beach were 450 Herring Gulls, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

On the water bodies were 97 Brent Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 3 Egyptian Geese, 11 Shelduck, 18 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 2 drake Wigeon, 4 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebe, 22 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpiper (Tennyson's Sands and the River Steeping) and 3 Greenshank (Fenland Lagoon, Bean's Hole and the River Steeping).

Elsewhere around the reserve, there was a Buzzard, 2 Red-legged Partridge, a Sand Martin, 18 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and Tennyson's Sands), 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Shoveler's Pool), 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, a Wheatear (By the boats on the river Steeping).

Redstart and Black Redstart on the Old Coastguards Wall, 28th April 2026

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Garganey pair, 28th April 2028
Photo - David Nutt

Garganey pair, 28th April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Greenshank on Fenland Lagoon, 28th April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Avocets still busy getting on with it! 28th April 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Male Reed Bunting, 28th April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Robin, 28th April 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

April 27th. A broken cloud day with a light southerly breeze switching to northerly later on and increasing cloud cover.

Highlights of the day were the pair of Garganey still showing well on Fenland Lagoon. Then another pair of Garganey went south over the sea along with a Glaucous Gull a short time later along with 20 Little Terns. Two Curlew Sandpipers alighted on the beach briefly before heading south. A Tree Pipit went south, as did a Spoonbill into the estuary. Two Great White Egrets also flew south over Shoveler's Pool. Then early afternoon, a Crane flew up the River Steeping towards Jackson's Marsh and a Little Ringed Plover was heard over the Mere.

On the water bodies around the reserve were 70 Brent Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 10 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Greenshank (2 on Fenland Lagoon, 1 on the River Steeping and 1 on Jackson's Marsh), 27 Black-tailed Godwits, 24 Avocets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel (Jackson's Marsh), 1 Grey Heron (South) and a Spoonbill (Tennyson's Sands).

Elsewhere around the reserve there was a Hobby (South), a Barn Owl (Old Saltmarsh), 2 Grey Partridge (Over River Steeping), 2 Cuckoo (Measures and West Dunes), a Turtle Dove (South), 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill), 1 female Redstart (Rock Ridge),1 Wheatear (Old Coastguards).

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat and a Swallow; and 2 retraps: a Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat.

Crane flying up the River Steeping, 27th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Garganey pair on Fenland Lagoon, 27th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Greenshank on the River Steeping, 27th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Whimbrels on Jackson's Marsh, 27th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Pair of Great White Egrets, 27th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Little Egret in Breeding condition, 27th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Lesser Whitethroat, 27th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Wheatear on the Old Coastguards Wall, 27th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Male Swallow showing some impressive streamers, 27th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Fox with cub, 27th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

April 26th. A cloudy day throughout with a light easterly wind.

Highlight of the day was the pair of Garganey which remained on Fenland Lagoon along with a mobile Greenshank. On the estuary were a pair of Spoonbill.

Elsewhere there were 61 Brent Geese, 1000 Oystercatcher (Flying over high tide), 16 Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel (East of North Building), 1 Cuckoo, 35 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatear (Saltings) and 70 Swallow (South).

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and 2 Chaffinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Wren, a Sparrowhawk and a Long-tailed Tit.

Oystercatchers, 26th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Sanderlings on the beach, 26th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Ringed Plover on the beach pulling up dinner, 26th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Sparrowhawk on the hunt, 26th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Small Copper Butterfly, 26th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Orange Tip Butterfly, 26th April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Comma Butterfly, 26th APril 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

April 25th. Anther cold morning with a ground frost, becoming warmer through the morning with the wind increasing from the north.

A good movement during the morning involved 277 Swallows, 75 Sand Martin, 35 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Whimbrel, various Corvids and Finches, two Swift and a Jay. A pair of Garganey were found on Jackson's Marsh late morning with another pair arriving on the Fenland Lagoon late afternoon (Both pairs confirmed present at same time, so four birds possibly being a new reserve record!). Plenty of Hirundines were hawking over the lagoons late afternoon.

Also around the lagoons there were 31 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Spoonbill, 21 Avocet, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 47 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Mediterranean Gulls. A drake Wigeon was feeding on one of the golf course greens at tea time.

Elsewhere around the reserve there were 2 Buzzard, 42 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 11 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Singing along cycle track area), 1 Grey Wagtail (On River) and 2 Yellowhammers.

In the West Dunes was a brief sighting of a somewhat unusual over wintered Painted Lady Butterfly.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting and a Sedge Warbler; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Wren.

Garganey pair, 25th April 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

A Garganey pair, 25th April 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Jay, 25th April 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

April 24th. A harsh frost to start the day with freezing fog for the first couple of hours daylight, becoming sunny but staying cold in a light northerly wind.

Highlights today on Tennyson's Sands were a Green Sandpiper , 2 Ruff, 1 Spoonbill and a Cetti's Warbler.

Also around the water bodies around the reserve were 46 Brent Geese, 1 Egyptian Geese, 33 Shelduck, 28 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 14 Coot, 12 Little Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 30 Avocet, 71 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Dunlin.

Elsewhere around the Reserve were 2 Buzzard, 14 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill), 2 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 12 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road showing very well!). 7 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 16 Chaffinch.

Butterflies around the reserve included 3 Green-veined White, 1 Orange Tip, 2 Green Hairstreak and 2 Peacock.

Barn Owl with dinner, 24th April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

April 23rd. A bright sunny day again but still staying cool in a fresh north easterly wind.

Highlights today included at least 2, if not 3 Ring Ouzels (2 males squabbling along the West Dunes and 1 later on Tennyson's Sands). Two Mediterranean Gulls were again over Jackson's Marsh and then Tennyson's Sands, 2 Ruff were with the Black-tailed Godwits on Tennyson's Sands and a Greenshank was over Jackson's Marsh and a further 2 over the East Dunes. A Garden Warbler was new for the year singing near North Building.

On the water bodies were 76 Brent Geese, 1 Pink-fronted Goose, 1 Egyptian Geese, 29 Shelduck, 24 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 1 drake Wigeon, 5 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 11 Little Grebe, 31 Avocet, 64 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Cetti's Warbler (North Hide).

There was a good arrival overnight of warblers along the coast including 12 Chiffchaff, 12 Lesser Whitethroat and 67 Whitethroat. Also there was a general build up of Hirundines hawking over the water bodies across the reserve as well with 21 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 32 House Martin recorded.

Also around the reserve today were 4 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Green Woodpecker (Halfway Sycamores), 2 Cuckoo (North End and North Car Park), 1 Buzzard, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warblers (Mill Pond Road and North Building) 9 Blackcap, 5 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 18 Chaffinch and 26 Goldfinch.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Chaffinch and a Great Tit; and 2 retrap Wren.

The high tide washing more of the East Dunes away at the south end of Greenshank Creek.
23rd April 2026, Photo - David Nutt

Sanderling feeding whilst trying to avoid helium party balloons on the beach!
23rd April 2026, Photo - Mike Watts

Avocets, 23rd April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Singing Garden Warbler around North Building, 23rd April 20226
Photo - Tom Baker

Wheatear in the sanctuary area, 23rd April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Pink-footed Goose on Jackson's Marsh, 23rd April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Drake Gadwall, 23rd April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Drake Wigeon, 23rd April 20226
Photo - David Nutt

The Millennium Ridge, 23rd April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

April 22nd. A clear sunny day all day but staying cool in a moderate east north easterly wind.

Highlights of the day had to be a pair of Glossy Ibis that flew north over Field 10 at 10.35am before being seen again flying south over Field 10 later in the morning. Other highlights included a Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh and 2 Grey Partridge flushed from the Visitor Centre garden (A proper rarity at Gib!). A Ruff was amongst the Black-tailed Godwits on Croft Marsh. During the late afternoon, a Ring Ouzel was discovered in the West Dunes.

The water bodies held 66 Brent Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese (Field 10), 37 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 17 Tufted Duck, 14 Little Grebe, 32 Avocet, 78 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Snipe (Tennyson's Sands).

Elsewhere around the reserve were 1500 Oystercatcher, 24 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank (Old Saltmarsh), 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 10 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff, 9 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road), 15 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (Field 10 Hedgerow), 10 Whitethroat, 1 Rock Pipit (On tide wrack), and 20 Chaffinch.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Robin; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Long-tailed Tit.

Spoonbill, 22nd April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

A Ruff amongst Black-tailed Godwits, 22nd April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Black-tailed Godwits over Croft Marsh, 22nd April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Male Chaffinch with ring on, 22nd April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

A Green-veined White Butterfly, 22nd April 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Speckled Wood Butterfly, 22nd April 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

A Bee Fly (Bombylius major) a common springtime pollinator in gardens and woodlands
22nd April 2026, Photo - Tom Baker

April 21st. A clear sunny day all day in a moderate to string easterly wind which kept temperatures cool.

A look at the sea during the morning revealed the following moving North - 1 drake Eider, 4 Little Tern, 34 Sandwich Tern, 6 Kittiwake, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 2 Gannet. On the beach were 6 Turnstone.

The water bodies held 1 Pink-footed Goose (Croft Marsh), 7 Mute Swan, 21 Shelduck, 31 Shoveler, 13 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 15 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 9 Little Grebe, 31 Avocet and 80 Black-tailed Godwit.

Also around were 3 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cetti's Warbler (Tennyson's Sands and Mill Hill), 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 8 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 16 Chaffinch.