Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: May 2016

Late May 2016

May 31st. Strong northerly wind. Rain most of day.
Birds around included a Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo.

May 30th. Strong northerly wind with light drizzle in morning.
Around were a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.

May 29th. Birds around included a Sand Martin, 2 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

May 28th. Around were a Wheatear, a Jay, a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Blackcap, a Yellowhammer, a Chaffinch and a Jackdaw; and 4 retraps: singles of Sedge Warbler, Wren, Whitethroat and Great Tit.

Yellowhammer, ringed 28th May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Jackdaw, ringed 28th May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

May 27th. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Marsh Harrier, 75 Little Tern, 64 Brent Goose, 2 Swift, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, yielded 10 new birds: 4 Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Goldfinch; and 5 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Linnet, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

Lesser Redpoll, a scarce late spring record of a species that used to breed fairly commonly here, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

First Tawny Owl fledgling, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Second Tawny Owl fledgling, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Emerging Four-spotted Chaser, 27th May, 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Emerging Broad-bodied Chaser, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

May 26th. Around were 30 Little Tern, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 11 Swift.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Dunnock.

May 25th. Fresh northerly wind with prolonged light rain.
Birds around included 3 Cuckoo. Going south were 8 Swallow.

Broad-bodied Chaser, 25th May 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

May 24th. 2 Spoonbill were on Tennyson's Sands and a drake Garganey was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Offshore were 14 Fulmar and a Gannet. Flying south were 6 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 retraps: a Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

Spoonbills, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Ben Ward

Green Hairstreak, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Ben Ward

Wall Brown, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Ben Ward

Mother Shipton, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 23rd. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Buzzard, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Swift. On Tennyson's Sands were 18 Black-tailed Godwit.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 3rd session of CES, resulted in 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Swallow, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 10 retrapos: a Whitethroat, 5 Dunnock, a Willow Warbler, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Greenfinch.

May 22nd. Around were a Spoonbill, a Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 6 Fulmar, 3500 Knot, 150 Bar-tailed Godwit and 500 Grey Plover.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Woodpigeon; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit and a Whitethroat.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 15 new birds: 7 Greenfinch, 2 Blackcap and singles of Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Robin, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat and Chaffinch; and 12 retraps: 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blackbird and singles of Chiffchaff, Robin, Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Willow Warbler, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit.

Reed Warbler, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Spoonbill, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Sedge Warbler, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - David Sullivan

Water Carpet, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

May 21st. Rain until early morning, then in afternoon. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
Birds around included a Spoonbill, a Wheatear, 3 Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoo. South went a Hobby, 80 Swallow, 20 House Martin and 10 Swift.

Swallows, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Mistle Thrush, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Spoonbill, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Mallard and Avocet, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Moorhens, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Mid May 2016

May 20th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Grey Partridge. Heading south were 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 17 House Martin and 10 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced a new Swallow; and 4 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Great Tit, Reed Bunting and Blue Tit.

May 19th. Soggy, foggy start.
Birds around included a Redwing, a singing Corn Bunting, a Water Rail, 2 Grey Partridge, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 60 Brent Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands was a Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 7 House Martin and 11 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: singles of Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat and Linnet; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

May 18th. Intermittent rain.
Around were a Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl. Heading south were 2 Swift.

May 17th. Birds around included a Spoonbill, a Hooded Crow, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Cuckoo. A Whimbrel flew north.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Linnet and a Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Short-eared Owl, 17th May 2016.
Photo - Leslie Davidson

Spoonbill, 17th May 2016.
Photo - Leslie Davidson

May 16th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Hooded Crow, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl. Going south were 2 Yellow Wagtail.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 2nd session of CES, produced 14 new birds: a Wren, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Greenfinch, a Mistle Thrush and a Blackbird; 26 retraps: 6 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Greenfinch, a Goldfinch and a Sedge Warbler; and 3 controls: a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

May 15th. Birds around included a Hooded Crow, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Cuckoo. A Yellow Wagtail flew south.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: singles of Reed Warbler, Linnet, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Woodpigeon; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Singing Grasshopper Warbler, 15th May 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Hooded Crow, 15th May.
Photo - James Siddle

May 14th. Birds around included a Hooded Crow, a Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, a Garden Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, a Swift, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Whimbrel and 2 Short-eared Owl.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 5 new birds: singles of Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet and Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Linnet, a Reed Bunting and a Whitethroat.

May 13th. Moderately strong north-easterly wind.
Around were a ringtail Montagu's Harrier, a Greenshank and a Cuckoo.

May 12th. Birds around included a Hooded Crow, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Yellow Wagtail, a Whinchat, a singing Tree Pipit, 2 Siskin, 3 Marsh Harrier, On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Great Crested Grebe. South went a Swift.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced just a new Blackcap and a retrap Whitethroat.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 12 new birds: a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Blackcap, a Linnet, 2 Goldfinch and 4 Greenfinch; and 24 retraps: a Blackbird, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, a Wren, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Sedge Warbler.

May 11th. Intermittent rain until mid morning, then very soggy.
Around were a Hooded Crow, 70 Little Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern, 8000 Knot, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Swift, a Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Cuckoo.
A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.

Early May 2016

May 10th. Rain from mid morning.

Birds around included 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Sandpiper, a Cuckoo, 4 Whimbrel, 45 Brent Goose, a Spotted Flycatcher, an Acredula-type Willow Warbler and 2 Grey Partridge.
A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting and a Linnet; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Meadow Pipit.

Spotted Flycatcher, 10th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Acredula-type Willow Warbler, 10th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

This brown and white willow warbler frequented the ‘Bonelli’s warbler sycamore’ today. Pending further research it has been labelled a possible ‘acredula’ As well as the obvious plumage tone differences, its habit of hopping along branches was more nuthatch like than willow warbler like!

May 9th. Around were a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Cuckoo, a Spotted Flycatcher, an acredula Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest.

May 8th. A Western Bonelli's Warbler was discovered at the north end of West Dunes. Other birds around were an Osprey, a continental Coal Tit, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Siskin, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 3 Cuckoo, 49 Little Tern, 4750 Sanderling, 5500 Dunlin and 7 Greenshank. Going east were 5 Spoonbill, south a Fulmar, and north 160 Common Scoter, a Manx Shearwater and a Fulmar.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Whitethroat and singles of Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Linnet, Lesser Whitethroat and Goldfinch; and 5 retraps: singles of Wren, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Linnet and Whitethroat.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent, which included the first C.E.S session of the year, resulted in 20 new birds: 4 Blackbird, 3 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, 2 Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler and a Greenfinch; and 22 retraps: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Blackbird, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit and singles of Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Long-tailed Tit.

Western Bonelli's Warbler, 8th May 2016.
Photo - Graham Catley (www.pewit.blogspot.co.uk)

May 7th. An Alpine Accentor was discovered at the feeding station next to Sykes Farm. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Buzzard, a Hobby, 3 Greenshank, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Grey Partridge, a Wood Sandpiper, a Grasshopper Warbler and 14 Whimbrel. Flying west was a Turtle Dove.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Blue Tit.

Alpine Accentor at Sykes Farm feeding station, 7th May 2016.

Video - Richard Doan

Alpine Accentor, 7th May 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Roe Deer, 7th May 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Pseudoscorpion, 7th May 2016.
Photo - Bryony Baxter

May 6th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Grasshopper Warbler (including 1 trapped) and 3 Turtle Dove. On Tennyson's Sands was a Wood Sandpiper.
The evening high tide produced a stunning display of May waders in summer plumage; knot, grey plover, bar-tailed godwit and sanderling. Totals included 4880 Sanderling, 14700 Knot, 420 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1600 Grey Plover and 3250 Dunlin; also 6 Ruff and a Curlew Sandpiper in the roost.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: 2 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler and a Reed Bunting; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Linnet.

Lady's Smock, 6th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 5th. Birds around included a Cuckoo, a Marsh Harrier and 4 Whimbrel. A Hobby and a Swift flew south.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Whitethroat.

Marsh Harrier, 5th May 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Rue-leaved Saxifrage, 5th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 4th. Around were 9 Whimbrel, 3 Cuckoo, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Little Tern, 2 Grasshopper Warbler. a Short-eared Owl, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Wheatear and a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull. Heading south were 23 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 12 Sand Martin and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Heading west were 2 Mute Swan.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 10 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Linnet; and a retrap Linnet.

Turtle Dove, 4th May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 4th May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Tail of Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 4th May 2016.
This tail shows, particularly in the hand, moderately contrasting pale tips, but there is not the almost black-and-white contrast shown in the tail of Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler.
Photo - George Gregory

Meadow Saxifrage, 4th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin wilson

Mistle Thrush chicks, 4th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 3rd. Birds around included a Spoonbill, a Short-eared Owl, a Common Tern, a Cuckoo, a Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Whitethroat, and 2 Whimbrel. Flying south were a Swallow and a House Martin. On Tennyson's Sands was a Great Crested Grebe and a Spotted Redshank.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, 6 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Linnet and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and a Wren.

Spoonbill, 3rd May 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Short-eared Owl, 3rd May 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

May 2nd. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
Around were 4 Whimbrel, a Short-eared Owl, 4 Yellow Wagtail, a Reed Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Cuckoo and 10 Whitethroat. Moving south offshore were 42 Little Tern, 5 Common Tern, an Arctic Tern and 49 Sandwich Tern. Finch passage over the East Dunes resulted in 120 Linnet and 33 Goldfinch south.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 2 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Garden Warbler, 2nd May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Wheatear, 2nd May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 1st. Birds around included 2 Spoonbill, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Marsh Harrier, a Cuckoo and 2 Wheatear. An Osprey and 2 Marsh Harrier flew south. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spotted Redshank.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Blackcap; 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Wren; and a control Chiffchaff.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 11 new birds: 3 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, a Great Tit, a Blackcap and a Mistle Thrush; 13 retraps: 4 Goldfinch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Greenfinch and singles of Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Blue Tit.

Mistle Thrush, ringed 1st May 2016.
Photo - David Vincent.