Late September 2012

September 30th: Windy. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 17 Avocets, 5 Spotted Redshanks and 4 Ruffs. Finding landbirds was not easy because of the wind, but 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 50 Goldcrests and a few common warblers were present. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby and a Greenshank. Heading northwest or north were 200 Pink-footed Geese whilst a skien of 120 headed west over Aylmer mid morning. South went a Yellow Wagtail and small parties of Siskins, Redpolls and Tree Sparrows, amongst the usual pipits and other species.
Morning ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue provided moderate returns, with several Goldcrests, and various warblers and finches being of note.

Lesser Redpoll ringed at Aylmer Avenue 30/09/2012
Photo - Liv Vincent

September 29th: The Spoonbill returned to Jackson's Marsh, while on Tennyson Sands were a Pink-footed Goose and 15 Avocets, and on the Mere 5 Black-tailed Godwits. At least 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were on the reserve. Other landed birds included 6 Redstarts, a Treecreeper, a Stonechat, a Pied Flycatcher, a Crossbill, a Willow Warbler, 57 Goldcrests and 12 Chiffchaffs. Flying south were a Lapland Bunting, 2 Tree Pipits, a Hobby and various finches and other pipits. Around were a Green Woodpecker, 4 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank.
Simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were very productive in both variety and numbers, with 200 new birds ringed. 146 of these were ringed at Aylmer during an all day session. Birds ringed included a Redstart, a Magpie, 8 Chiffchaffs and numerous Goldfinches and Greenfinches amongst others.

1st year male Redstart ringed 29/09/2012
Photo - M.Briggs

1st year male Redstart ringed 29/09/2012
Photo - M.Briggs

1st Year Magpie ringed 29/09/2012
Photo - M.Briggs 

September 28th: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in East Dunes early morning, and another at Aylmer Avenue in the afternoon. Jackson's Marsh held 2 Greenshanks, and Tennyson Sands 4 Spotted Redshanks, 14 Avocets and a Black-tailed Godwit. Southward movers included an Osprey, 1193 Swallows, 310 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins plus the usual finches, pipits and others. Around were a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, a Whinchat, a Cuckoo, 34 Goldcrests, a Whimbrel, a Great Skua and a Merlin.
A morning and an afternoon ringing sessions on East Dunes provided a Sparrowhawk and several new Song Thrushes, but otherwise only a few common warblers and other species.

                                    1CY male Sparrowhawk (George Gregory)


September 27th: The Spoonbill flew from Jackson's Marsh first south then north, early morning. On Tennyson Sands were 8 Avocets, 2 Ruffs and 2 Black-tailed Godwits. Around were a Cuckoo, a Redstart, a Willow Warbler, 2 Redwings, a Whimbrel and a Greenshank. Going south were 75 Pink-footed Geese, a Yellow Wagtail, 19 Tree Sparrows and 20 Siskins.
The main species caught in a morning and an afternoon ringing sessions on East Dunes were Dunnocks and Meadow Pipits, but a few warblers, Robins and others added variety.

September 26th: Wind decreasing. A Yellow-browed Warbler was found near the Yacht Club. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and a Pintail, and on Tennyson Sands 14 Avocets and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Merlin, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Green Woodpecker, a Crossbill, a Ring Ousel, 30+ Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Reed Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests and 4 Bramblings. South over land flew 29 Siskins and other finches. Heading south at sea were a Great Skua, 7 Arctic Skuas and 158 Wigeons, and north a Little Gull and a Pochard, while a Peregrine came in and 151 Gannets and 18 Red-throated Divers were offshore.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes was productive, with newly ringed birds including 28 Robins, 3 Redstarts, 16 Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit, 2 Blackcaps and the usual other species, and retraps featuring 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Robins. An evening session there added 6 more new Robins.

September 25th: Still windy. Jackson's Marsh held a Spoonbill, 2 Greenshanks and a Pink-footed Goose, Tennyson Sands 11 Avocets, a Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Ruffs and a Green Sandpiper. A Grey Phalarope landed on the sea, and a Purple Sandpiper went north. Landed migrants included 2 Whinchats, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Willow Warbler, 13 Goldcrests, 10 Redstarts, 2 Redwings and 5 Chiffchaffs. Around was a Marsh Harrier.
Ringing on East Dunes in the morning produced 18 Robins, 2 Redstarts, a Wheatear, a Garden Warbler and the usual other species.

September 24th: Wet and windy. On Jackson's Marsh was the Spoonbill, on Tennyson Sands were a Pink-footed Goose, a Greenshank, 12 Avocets, 3 Ruffs, 4 Spotted Redshanks and 2 Black-tailed Godwits, and on the Mere was another Black-tailed Godwit. Landbirds included a Common Rosefinch in East Dunes, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 5 Redstarts, a Tree Pipit, 2 Redwings, 8 Bramblings, a Reed Warbler, 10 Goldcrests and 7 Chiffchaffs. At sea a Cory's Shearwater flew south at 1345hrs, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 15 Great Skuas, 12 Arctic Skuas and a Black Tern also flew south, 2 Puffins, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 250 Gannets, 12 Fulmars, 7 Arctic Terns, 7 Little Gulls, a Sooty Shearwater and 370 Common Scoters flew north, and 10 Sandwich Terns and 8 Common Terns were offshore

September 23rd: Increasing easterly windy. The Spoonbill remained on Jackson's Marsh. There was an arrival of at least 30 Goldcrests, plus a Firecrest near Mill Hill. Other birds around were a Short-eared Owl and a Greenshank. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Spotted Redshanks, 12 Avocets and 19 Black-tailed Godwits, and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Ruffs and a Greenshank. At sea 201 Common Scoters and 3 Red-throated Divers flew north, while 7 Brent Geese, 7 Sandwich Terns and 3 Arctic Skuas were offshore.
Simultaneous morning ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were productive, involving Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits, a Treecreeper, a Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, several tape-lured Meadow Pipits, and the usual finches, tits, warblers and other species.

September 22nd: A single Spoonbill was on Jackson's Marsh, 24 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Avocets were on Tennyson Sands, and 1200 Golden Plovers were on Croftmarsh. Landed birds included 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 10 Bramblings, 15 Lesser Redpolls, 20 Siskins, 9 Redwings, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler and a Redstart. Around were a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Buzzard, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Rooks and a Greenshank. Heading south were 7 Whooper Swans, 80 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Rock Pipits and 8 Red-throated Divers, and north a Pomarine Skua, 4 adult Little Gulls, 6 Auk Spp and 29 Common Scoters. Offshore were 3 more Red-throated Divers.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes provided the first Redwing of the autumn, 2 Goldcrests, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a few tape-lured Meadow Pipits and the usual other species. An afternoon session there added a Pied Flycatcher and a Reed Warbler, amongst others.

September 21st: Mostly rainy. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbills. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, a Wheatear and a Goldcrest, while 65 Pink-footed Geese flew southeast and a Siskin south. Sea-watching provided 7 Red-throated Divers, 3 Wigeons and 3 Teals south, and a Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 63 Gannets, 17 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern offshore.

Mid September 2012

September 20th: Light then moderate rain for most of morning. The 3 Spoonbills were still on Jackson's Marsh, while a Pectoral Sandpiper, 10 Avocets and 11 Black-tailed Godwits were on Tennyson Sands. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard and 50 Golden Plovers. A Pomarine Skua, 100 Gannets and a Curlew Sandpiper were offshore. A Red-throated Diver flew north and 2 Sandwich Terns south.
A rain-shortened morning ringing session on East Dunes provided a Goldcrest, the usual warblers, and the first Kingfisher ringed here for several years.

                                        1CY Kingfisher (George Gregory)

September19th: Still quite windy. Jackson's Marsh held 3 Spoonbills, 2 Pintails, 5 Wigeons and 2 Greenshanks, Croftmarsh the Osprey and a Buzzard, Tennyson Sands 11 Avocets, 34 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank, and the Mere 4 Greenshanks and a Water Rail. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Sandpiper, 13 Chiffchaffs, 27 Goldcrests and a Coal Tit. Flying north offshore were a Manx Shearwater and 3 Arctic Skuas, and south a Great Crested Grebe. Offshore waders included 85000 Knots, 2500 Bar-tailed Godwits and 500 Dunlins. Birds heading south over land included 23 Siskins, 246 Meadow Pipits, 349 Swallows, 2787 House Martins, 16 Lesser Redpolls and 3 Buzzards.
A ringing session on East Dunes this morning was moderately successful, with a Goldcrest, several warblers and all three common hirundines trapped.
An Oak Bush-cricket, a first record for Gibraltar Point, was found in a moth trap recently.

                                       Oak Bush-cricket (Timothy Bagworth)

September 18th: Increasing wind. Early morning on Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills and a Ruff, and on Tennyson Sands a Greenshank, 29 Avocets and 26 Black-tailed Godwits. The Osprey and a Buzzard flew around over Croftmarsh. A female/first-year male Nightjar was flushed from the ground near Aylmer Avenue. Around were 18 Pink-footed Geese, a Water Rail on Old Saltmarsh, a Hobby, a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Coal Tit. Going south were 1675 Swallows, 32 Yellow Wagtails, 274 Meadow Pipits, a Lesser Redpoll, 15 Siskins and a Crossbill. High tide wader movements were impressive.
Birds ringed on East Dunes this morning included a Garden Warbler, several Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, and 10 Swallows.

                                High tide over New Saltmarsh (George Gregory)


September 17th: On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbills, 6 Greenshanks and a Pintail, on Tennyson Sands 28 Avocets, 38 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff, and on Croftmarsh an Osprey. Three unusual birds were present: a Nuthatch (a Gibraltar Point rarity) in East Dunes, a Green Woodpecker near Aylmer Avenue, and a leucistic Swallow (or possibly a Swallow x Sand Martin hybrid), being harassed by wild-type Swallows, near Wash Viewpoint. Also around were 2 Spotted Redshanks, 60 Golden Plovers, a Peregrine, a Buzzard, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Grey Wagtail, a Garden Warbler, 2 Whinchats and a Goldcrest. Moving south were 1000 Swallows, 25 House Martins, 15 Sand Martins, 62 Yellow Wagtails, 300 Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit and 5 Siskins. High tide wader movements included 110000 Knots
A morning ringing session on East Dunes revealed a continuing arrival of Dunnocks and Blackcaps, but few other landed migrants.

September 16th: Increasing wind. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills, a Green Sandpiper and a Pintail, on Tennyson Sands 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit and 26 Avocets, and on Croftmarsh an Osprey and another Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Hobby, a Greenshank, 4 Whinchats, a Wheatear, a Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaffs. Heading south were 150 Meadow Pipits, 250 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins.
Ringing at Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes this morning was quite productive, with the usual species involved.

September 15th: This morning on Tennyson Sands were 3 Spoonbills, 26 Avocets, 57 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff, and on the Mere 2 Water Rails. A Pomarine Skua was offshore. After the strong winds more landbirds appeared, and 8 Siskins and a moderate number of hirundines went south.
Simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were productive, and indicated small but welcome arrivals of Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Dunnocks, Robins, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls, as well as the usual other species. A hirundine roost catch at the Mere was modestly successful.

September 14th: Windy, two rainy spells. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 37 Avocets and a Garganey. The escaped Crimson Rosella was around. A few hirundines went south.

September 13th: Jackson's Marsh held 4 Spoonbills and a Ruff, and Tennyson Sands 64 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank. Flying around were 23 Pink-footed Geese, a Marsh Harrier and a ringtail Hen Harrier. The escaped Crimson Rosella was at the Field Station.
The Barred Warbler that was ringed on East Dunes at 32.5g on September 9th was retrapped there at 35.9g this morning. Newly ringed birds included a Reed Warbler and several Blackcaps.

September 12th: Mostly rainy. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills and a Common Sandpiper, on Tennyson Sands a Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 28 Avocets and 2 Pintails, and on the Mere a Water Rail. The Osprey lingered on Croftmarsh. Around were 14 Pink-footed Geese, a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier and 5 Chiffchaffs. Flying south were 3 Yellow Wagtails, 60 Meadow Pipits, 7 Reed Buntings, 32 Golden Plovers and 60 Lapwings.

September 11th: Increasing wind, some rain. On the water bodies were 6 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 8 Greenshanks and 78 Black-tailed Godwits. The Osprey reappeared on Croftmarsh. Heading south were a Buzzard, a Swift and a moderate number of hirundines. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, a Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Grey Wagtail, 2 Cuckoos and the escaped Crimson Rosella. Few birds were trapped in a morning ringing session on East Dunes but they included a Cuckoo, a Greenland Wheatear, a Reed Warbler and a Blackcap.

                               1CY Greenland Wheatear (George Gregory)

                                 Juvenile Cuckoo (George Gregory)

Early September 2012

September 10th: Windy. Jackson's Marsh held 6 Spoonbills and 52 Black-tailed Godwits, Tennyson Sands 5 Pink-footed Geese and 19 Avocets, and the Mere a Garganey. The Osprey reappeared on Croftmarsh. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank. 140 Pink-footed Geese flew overhead and on to Norfolk. Seawatching provided 40 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, a Long-tailed Skua and a Velvet Scoter, as well as many arriving ducks and waders heading south into the Wash.
A ringing session was attempted on East Dunes, using the sheltered nets, but it was entirely unsuccessful, there being a definite lack of landbirds there.

September 9th: On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Spoonbills, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Spotted Redshanks and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 74 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Ruffs. The Osprey flew north from Croftmarsh mid morning. Flying south were 24 more Pink-footed Geese. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin and a Hobby.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced a new Barred Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher and the usual other warblers. A simultaneous session at Aylmer Avenue provided the usual finches and other species. A roost catch at the Mere resulted in just 15 Swallows and Sand Martins, significantly down on that of the previous evening.

                                          1CY Barred Warbler (George Gregory)

September 8th: The 5 Spoonbills were on Jackson's Marsh and the Osprey on Croftmarsh. Other birds on Jackson's Marsh included 4 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers and 7 Greenshanks, and on Tennyson Sands 82 Black-tailed Godwits and 9 Greenshanks. Around were 2 Buzzards and 2 Whimbrels.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced modest results but a Moorhen was trapped and ringed on Cowbank. An evening hirundine roost session at the Mere provided 149 new Swallows and Sand Martins, plus 2 retraps and a control.

September 7th: A total of 5 Spoonbills were present on the reserve. An Osprey lingered on Croftmarsh. On Tennyson Sands were 70 Black-tailed Godwits and 17 Avocets, and on Jackson's Marsh 7 Greenshanks and a Green Sandpiper. Around were 3 more Greenshanks and a Marsh Harrier.
Ringing sessions at Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes revealed increased numbers of Goldcrests, plus the usual warblers and finches, amongst others. A late Swallow tape-luring session was productive.

September 6th: On the water bodies were 5 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Around were 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 Buzzards, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 2 Whimbrels, a Wheatear and 3 Tree Sparrows. Flying south were 2 Siskins, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 17 Meadow Pipits, and north a Fulmar. Offshore were 400 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.
Ringing sessions at Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes were moderately successful, involving mostly the usual warblers, hirundines and finches.

September 5th: The Pectoral Sandpiper was on Tennyson Sands this morning. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbills, 64 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruffs and a Green Sandpiper. Heading south were a Hobby, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits and a Lesser Redpoll. Around were a 3 Siskins, a Redstart, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel and 4 Spotted Redshanks.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced the first Lesser Redpoll ringed this autumn. The catch on East Dunes included a hybrid Tree Sparrow x House Sparrow.

                              Hybrid Tree Sparrow x House Sparrow (George Gregory)


September 4th: Once more the Pectoral Sandpiper reappeared on Tennyson Sands in the afternoon. Other birds there were 70 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruffs and a Wood Sandpiper. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Spoonbills, 26 Greenshanks, 6 Spotted Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper and a Ruff. The Barred Warbler was seen in East Dunes. Another Spotted Redshank, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hobbys, 4 Buzzards and the escaped Crimson Rosella were around. About 1500 Swallows and another Hobby flew south.
Ringing was productive both at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue. A Redstart, a Pied Flycatcher and the usual warblers, hirundines and finches were caught. One retrapped Swallow was ringed here last year.

September 3rd: The Pectoral Sandpiper reappeared on Tennyson Sands in the afternoon. Around were 4 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Whimbrels, 2 Peregrines, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Marsh Harriers, 5 Buzzards, 16 Tree Sparrows, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper and 132 Redshanks. A Tree Pipit, 11 Sand Martins and 8 Yellow Wagtails went south. In the evening a presumed hybrid Sand Martin x House Martin was seen over Aylmer Avenue. There was a big Swallow roost on the Mere.
The sunny conditions greatly reduced the ringing catch, but on East Dunes it included a Red-backed Shrike, a Barred Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler.

                                       1CY Red-backed Shrike (Matthew Heaver)

                                              1CY Barred Warbler (George Gregory)

September 2nd: The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on Tennyson Sands. Other good birds present were 5 Spoonbills, a Cuckoo, a Kingfisher, 2 Marsh Harriers, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 16 Golden Plovers, 2 Siskins, a Peregrine and the escaped Crimson Rosella. Flying south were 1500 Swallows, 128 Sand Martins, a Swift, 3 Hobbys and 4 Crossbills. Offshore were 15 Brent Geese and a Guillemot. Several thousand Swallows roosted on New Saltmarsh.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 48 captures, including the first Little Owl ringed here since 1982, a Redstart and 2 Goldcrests. A morning and an evening ringing sessions on East Dunes were much more productive, providing the usual warblers and a big catch of hirundines, totalling 285 birds processed. These included 2 Swallow controls.

                                      1CY Little Owl (George Gregory)

                                       1CY male Redstart (George Gregory)

September 1st: The Pectoral Sandpiper remained on Tennyson Sands. Other birds on the water bodies included 6 Spoonbills, a Water Rail, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 15 Ruffs and a Little Ringed Plover. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, a Wheatear, a Redstart, 15 Crossbills and 2 Wigeons. Heading south over land were 650 Swallows, 67 House Martins and 62 Sand Martins. A seawatch produced a Peregrine in off the sea, a Red-throated Diver and 25 Common Scoters south, a Fulmar north, and 7 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 40 Gannets and a Guillemot offshore.
The twelth and final CES session was done this morning, resulting in 9 new birds ringed and 3 retraps. Simultaneous ringing sessions elsewhere around Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes were, in contrast, very productive, and in all 162 birds were processed, ranging from finches on the feeders, to tape-lured hirundines, to 7 Goldcrests, various warblers and a flock of Long-tailed Tits.