Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: November 2020

Late November 2020

November 30th. Moderately strong westerly wind, with morning rain.

Around were 14 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, an adult male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Merlin, 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 311 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 5 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat and a Bullfinch. On the Mere were 68 Gadwall. Flying south were 12 White-fronted Goose and a Barnacle Goose.

November 29th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 14 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Blackbird, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), 8 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. Going north were 3 White-fronted Goose; and south an Iceland Gull.

A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Blackbird.

November 28th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Goldcrest and 30 Blackbird.

A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced a new Blackbird; and a retrap Blue Tit.

November 27th. Frosty start.

Birds around included 155 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1000+ Pink-footed Goose, a Great White Egret, 2 Hen Harrier (an adult male and a ringtail), 3 Woodcock (including 1 caught by a Peregrine over the beach), a Peregrine, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 500 Blackbird, a Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. On Croftmarsh was a Buzzard.

November 26th. Frosty start.

Around were 65 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 7 Stonechat and 15 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 18 Whooper Swan (then south), a Water Rail, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, a Kingfisher and a singing Cetti's Warbler; and on Croftmarsh a Buzzard.

Merlin, 25 November 2020.
Photo - Guy Barton

November 25th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, a Swallow, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 7 Blackbird. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 25 Redwing and a Siskin.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Redwing and 4 Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, a Blue Tit and a Robin.

November 24th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Around were 155 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Stonechat. Flying south were 30 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, a Gannet, 12 Siskin and 7 Brambling; and north 1800 Pink-footed Goose. In off the sea came 140 Starling

November 23rd. Frosty start.

Birds around included 140 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4000 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, a Brambling, a Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands a Buzzard and a singing Cetti's Warbler. Going south were 27 Whooper Swan, a Great Northern Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 24 Siskin; and south-west a Marsh Harrier.

Sunset, 23 November 2020.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Cetti's Warbler, 23 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Pink-footed Goose, 23 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 22nd. Around, including birds trapped, were 140 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2800 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, a Merlin, a Bearded Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, a Blackcap, 20 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, a Twite. Heading south were 33 Whooper Swan, a Bearded Tit, 21 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Bunting; south-east 670 Pink-footed Goose; and east 7 Egyptian Goose.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Chaffinch and 4 Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Great Tit.

Buzzard, 22 November 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

November 21st. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Birds around included 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, a Corn Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were 6 Whooper Swan and a Velvet Scoter.

Mid November 2020

November 20th. Frosty start.

Around, including birds trapped, were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 204 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 6 Stonechat, a Redwing, 7 Blackbird, a Lapland Bunting and 17 Snow Bunting. Going south were 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 5 Gannet. In off the sea came a Woodcock and 11 Fieldfare.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: 2 Wren and 6 Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Redwing.

Snow Bunting, 20 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 19th. Decreasing north-westerly wind, with mid morning light rain.

Birds around included 161 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 1200 Lapwing, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 3 Stonechat, a Yellowhammer and a Snow Bunting. Offshore was a Great Northern Diver. In off the sea came a Fieldfare. Heading south were 486 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 11 Whooper Swan, a Long-tailed Duck and 4 Great Skua; and north 2 Great Northern Diver and 3 Great Skua.

Great Northern Diver, 19 November 2020.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Yellowhammer, 19 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

High tide near Bird Observatory, 19 November 2020.
Photo - George Gregory

November 18th. Quite strong south-westerly wind.

Around were 19 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2009 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest and 11 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands was a Water Rail; over Croftmarsh a Buzzard; around the Mere were 6 Bearded Tit; and along the Cycle Track 2 more Bearded Tit. Flying south were 3 Siskin.

November 17th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Birds around included 280 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, 3240 Pink-footed Goose, a Great White Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Woodcock, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, 14 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 9 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing and 2 Stonechat. Near the Mere were 2 Bearded Tit; and on Jackson's Marsh 3 Bearded Tit. Going south were 16 Whooper Swan, a Goldeneye, a Caspian Gull, 7 Fieldfare, 14 Brambling and a Lapland Bunting; and north a Great Northern Diver.

November 16th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Around were 7 Barnacle Goose, 50 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, a Merlin, a Swallow and 2 Blackcap. By the Cycle Track were a Bearded Tit and a Cetti's Warbler. Heading south were a Whooper Swan, a Great Northern Diver, a Slavonian Grebe, a Hen Harrier, a Great White Egret, a Merlin, 35 Brambling, 2 Twite and 3 Snow Bunting; north a Twite; and southeast 350 Pink-footed Goose.

November 15th. Quite strong south-westerly wind, with rainy spells.

Birds around included 322 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Hen Harrier, 1200 Lapwing, a Jack Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Goldcrest and 5 Siskin. Offshore were 22 Red-throated Diver. Flying south were 2950 Pink-footed Goose, a Velvet Scoter, 19 Common Scoter, 30 Eider and a Mediterranean Gull.

Sunset, 15 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 14th. Increasing southerly wind, with rainy spells.

Around were 166 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 165 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 1200 Lapwing, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Swallow, 2 Stonechat, 4 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 24 Blackbird. On Croftmarsh was a Stonechat; and on Jackson's Marsh 21 Little Egret. Going north were 11 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Eider and 3 Wigeon; and south 14 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Eider and 6 Common Scoter.

November 13th. Moderately strong south-easterly wind.

Birds around included 41 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7000 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, 4 Blackbird and 38 Redwing. On Croftmarsh were 8 Brent Goose and 2 Buzzard; and on Tennyson's Sands a Buzzard, a Water Rail and 2 Bearded Tit. Heading south were 7 Barnacle Goose, 25 Whooper Swan, 3 Velvet Scoter, 2 Great Northern Diver, 13 Gannet, a Fieldfare, 16 Siskin, a Brambling and a Lapland Bunting; and south-east then onto sea a Grey Phalarope.

November 12th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

Around were 77 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a male Hen Harrier, a Woodcock, 2 Merlin, 6 Stonechat, 5 Blackbird and a Song Thrush. On the Mere were a Jack Snipe and a Snipe. Flying south were 2 Eider, 980 Woodpigeon, a Snipe, 4 Swallow, 88 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 41 Siskin and a Lapland Bunting; and north a Buzzard.

November 11th. Increasing southerly wind.

Birds around, including those trapped, were 40 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 300 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Woodcock, a Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, 4 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 4 Blackbird. By the Mere were 2+ Bearded Tit. On the sea were 6 Common Scoter and a Black-throated Diver. Going north were 16 Common Scoter; and south 3 Light-bellied Brent Goose, 206 Pink-footed Goose, 19 Eider, 69 Common Scoter, 5 Gannet and 4 Guillemot.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 10 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Song Thrush, 4 Redwing and 4 Blackbird; and a retrap Robin.

Early November 2020

November 10th. Occasional morning light rain, then soggy.

Around, including birds trapped, were 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Goldcrest, 36 Blackbird, 50 Redwing and 5 Song Thrush.

A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 17 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 13 Blackbird.

November 9th. Foggy start.

Birds around, including those trapped, were 53 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 300 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, 50 Blackbird, 6 Song Thrush and 100+ Redwing. Going north was an adult male Hen Harrier; and south 90 Pink-footed Goose.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 32 new birds: 2 Wren, a Robin, 4 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 21 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Robin.

Acleris ferrugana, 9 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Dark Chestnut, 9 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Mottled Umber, 9 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Scarce Umber, 9 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Woodcock, ringed 9 November 2020.
Photo - George Gregory

November 8th. Around, including birds trapped, were 80 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Goldcrest, 5 Blackcap, 8 Stonechat, a Black Redstart, 275 Redwing, 230 Blackbird, 12 Song Thrush, 80 Fieldfare, 4 Brambling and 50 Chaffinch. By the Mere were 3+ Bearded Tit. Heading south were 350 Pink-footed Goose.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 17 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Reed Bunting, a Robin, 3 Redwing. a Song Thrush, 6 Blackbird and 2 Starling; and 7 retraps: a Robin, 3 Blackbird, a Song Thrush, a Goldcrest and a Chaffinch.

Black Redstart, 8 November 2020.
Photo - James Siddle

November 7th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 120 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600 Pink-footed Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Treecreeper, 2 Goldcrest, a Late Whinchat, 11 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Water Rail, 2 Snipe, 2 Bearded Tit and a singing Cetti's Warbler; and on the Mere a Bearded Tit. Flying south were an adult male Hen Harrier and a Peregrine.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Robin, a Song Thrush and a Fieldfare; and a retrap Blackbird.

Fieldfare, ringed 7 November 2020.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing control:

Blackbird, ringed Sandwich Bay, Kent 19 October 2020, controlled GPBO 5 November 2020.

November 6th. Cold, misty start.

Around, including birds trapped, were 64 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 787 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Short-eared Owl, a Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Stonechat and a Redwing. On the Mere were 1+ Bearded Tit. Going south were 2 Whooper Swan and 3 Snow Bunting.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Redwing and 2 Blackbird; 4 retraps: 3 Robin and a Blue Tit; and the same control Robin with an ARNHEM VT HOLLAND ring.

Misty start, 6 November 2020.
Photo - Rob Watson

November 5th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 34 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600 Pink-footed Goose, a Blackcap and 5 Redwing. Into the Plantation came 2 Hawfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were a Whooper Swan, 3 Water Rail, 320 Lapwing, a Cetti's Warbler and a Bearded Tit; on Jackson's Marsh a Water Rail; on Croftmarsh a Buzzard; and on the Mere 2 Bearded Tit. Flying south were 78 Whooper Swan, 2 Bullfinch and 7 Crossbill.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 29 new birds: a Wren, 10 Long-tailed Tit, a Blackcap, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock and 6 Blackbird; 14 retraps: a Song Thrush, 3 Blue Tit, a Dunnock, 2 Robin, a Wren, 5 Long-tailed Tit and a Great Tit; and a control Blackbird.

Kestrel, 5th November 2020
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Common Crossbill, 5th November 2020
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

November 4th. Around, including birds trapped, were 155 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7010 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Wigeon, 3 Sparrowhawk, a Woodcock, 3 Merlin, a Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler (East Dunes), a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 16 Redwing, 9 Stonechat and 3 Raven. On Tennyson's Sands were 24 Whooper Swan, a Water Rail, a Bearded Tit and a singing Cetti's Warbler; and on the Mere 6 Bearded Tit. Going south were 64 Whooper Swan, a Snipe, a Merlin, a Crossbill, 2 Lapland Bunting and 8 Snow Bunting; and north a Lapland Bunting.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: a Wren, a Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and 4 Blackbird; 6 retraps: 2 Song Thrush, a Robin, a Wren, a Dunnock and a Great Tit; and a control Robin with an ARNHEM VT HOLLAND ring.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Whooper Swans, 4 November 2020.
Photo - Adi Royle

Common Darter, 4 November 2020.
Photo - Adi Royle

Ringing control:

Garden Warbler, ringed GPBO 9 September 2019, controlled Etang de Morceny, Cote-d'Or, France 25 August 2020.

November 3rd. Rain until late morning.

Birds around included 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Swallow, 2 Stonechat and 19 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were 41 Whooper Swan and a singing Cetti's Warbler; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 late Avocet (later on Tennyson's Sands). Heading south were 8 Whooper Swan, an Eider, 4 Brambling, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Bullfinch and a Lapland Bunting; and south-east 2140 Pink-footed Goose and 10 Whooper Swan.

Whooper Swan, 3 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 2nd. Strong south-westerly wind, with mid morning rain.

Around were 3235 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 6500 Knot, 600 Grey Plover, 1300 Sanderling, 4000 Dunlin, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, a Swallow, a Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat and 5 Crossbill. Flying south were 39 Whooper Swan, 3 Goosander, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Buzzard, 85 Golden Plover, 2 Kittiwake, 7 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Redwing, 11 Brambling, 388 Linnet, 4 Crossbill, 758 Goldfinch, 109 Siskin and 4 Snow Bunting. In off the sea came 7 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier and a Hen Harrier.

November 1st. Strong south-westerly wind.

On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler. Birds around included 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 62 Pintail, 1337 Sanderling, 4730 Dunlin, 7200 Knot, 800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3100 Oystercatcher, 2 Siskin and 4 Crossbill. Offshore were a Great Northern Diver and 3 Red-throated Diver. Going south were 150 Wigeon, 15 Common Scoter, 22 Eider, a Little Gull, 110 Gannet, 2 Great Skua, a Marsh Harrier and 8 Siskin; and north a Fulmar. In off the sea came 285 Starling, 9 Redwing and a Blackbird.