Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: 2024

Mid December 2024

December 19th. Mostly clear, with fresh northwesterly wind.

A fairly quiet morning seawatch with several Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver that landed close inshore and a Slavonian or Black-necked Grebe that flew south at speed. The north-westerly wind pushed the tide height higher than predicted which in turn pushed more waders up to the roost including 6000 Knot and 2200 Dunlin. A Merlin was also around the beach.

December 18th. Mostly cloudy, with strong but decreasing southwesterly wind.

A Velvet Scoter was leading a flock of southbound Common Scoter early morning with the morning Scoter count up to 221. Also offshore, there were 15 Red-breasted Mergansers and 9 Pintail flew south. a flock of 850 Golden Plover came off the have and a Whooper Swan flew south there late afternoon.

December 17th. Cloudy, with increasing southwesterly to southerly wind.

Today's focus was on the wader roost for the monthly WeBS count. Typically a challenge this month with reduced daylight hours and slightly challenging weather, counts of Grey Plover, Dunlin and Sanderling were below average whilst Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit were in pretty good numbers with 19000 and 1600 respectively. At sea a Velvet Scoter went south with 2 Common Scoter.

Sunrise, 17th December 2024.
Photo - Guy Barton

December 16th. Partially cloudy, with moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Full counts of the waterbodies were made today, commencing with the overnight roost of 2000 Pink-footed Geese leaving for local fields at dawn and whilst there was no sign of the Bittern, two Bearded Tits on Jackson's Marsh were the first of this species for a while. Other highlights from the west side were a Merlin, a Hen Harrier and 4 Water Pipits.

Merlin, 16th December 2024.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Sunset, 16th December 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 15th. Cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.

Today's highlights included 710 Lapwing, 460 Pink-footed Geese, a Great White Egret, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Kingfisher, a Water Pipit, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler and a Goldcrest.

December 14th. Mostly clear, with light north-westerly wind.

A Hen Harrier was seen from the Wash Viewpoint, 8 Corn Bunting were at the 'Hump' and a Chiffchaff was in the Plantation.

Buzzard, 14th December 2024.
Photo - Ste Taylor

Corn Bunting, 14th December 2024.
Photo - Ste Taylor

Chiffchaff, 14th December 2024.
Photo - Ste Taylor

December 13th. Cloudy, with light south-easterly to south-westerly wind.

A Bittern flew from Tennyson's Sands to Jackson's Marsh in the morning and was seen again flying back to the north end of Tennyson's Sands late afternoon. Other birds around included 2 Water Pipits.

Bittern, 13th December 2024.
Photo - Sam Goddard

December 12th. Cloudy, with spells of drizzle and light north-easterly wind.

Around was a Barn Owl.

December 11th. Cloudy, with light north-easterly wind.

A generally quiet sea-watch except for a Puffin, 5 Velvet Scoters south, an increase of Red-throated Divers and an arriving Woodcock. The beach area was very busy with well over 3000 mixed Gulls feeding on a washout of Starfish and Razor Clams, and 800 waders also feeding, including Oystercatcher, Redshank, Sanderling, Knot, Grey Plover, Curlew and Turnstone. A vocal Siberian Chiffchaff moved through West Dunes early morning. Also in the dunes were at least 7 new Woodcock and 8 Song Thrushes. Other birds around included a Chiffchaff, 25 Redwing, a Water Pipit, 4 Merlin, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Hen Harrier.

Early December 2024

December 10th. Cloudy, with fresh but slowly decreasing north-easterly wind.

A good selection of birds on the morning sea-watch, although no great numbers. Moving south were 2 Little Auks and north a Goldeneye, 32 Red-throated Diver, 4 Kittiwake, a Little Gull, 66 Eider, 60 Common Scoter and 67 Teal. A Goosander came in off and 300 Wigeon and the Long-tailed Duck were close inshore. 2 Whooper Swans had roosted overnight on Tennyson's Sands and moved south early. 2200 Lapwing were around Croftmarsh.

December 9th. Storm Darragh declining - still quite strong north-easterly wind, with occasional rain or drizzle.

A prolonged sea-watch over the morning and into early afternoon produced the following highlights: 14 Little Auks including a flock of 4 south, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Fulmars, a Manx Shearwater, 114 Kittiwakes, 2 Little Gulls and 61 Gannets north. The Long-tailed Duck was still present.

December 8th. Storm Darragh - strong northerly wind and rainy spells, becoming continuous rain.

A morning sea-watch in dire conditions with variable visibility produced a Little Auk and 3 Goosander heading south. The Long-tailed Duck remained offshore with several Common Scoter.

December 7th. Rainy spells, with increasing north-westerly then northerly wind.

Unfortunately, by the time the wind had veered northerly, the rain precluded any chance of further sea-watching. However, an hour late morning saw a Great Northern Diver moving north and 2 Velvet Scoters head south. Both a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen arriving over the sea and similarly a Merlin came in off carrying prey.

December 6th. Mostly clear, with moderate westerly wind.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was vocal along the Gibraltar Road edge, and 15 Corn Buntings were around the Visitor Centre Car Park with a Stonechat nearby in West Dunes.

December 5th. Mostly cloudy, with rainy spells and moderate south-westerly wind.

Offshore highlights were a Long-tailed Duck with 11 Common Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Divers and 259 Cormorants, with 4 Snow Buntings along the beach. Other birds around included 550 Lapwings, a Water Pipit, a Song Thrush, a Stonechat, a Chiffchaff and a Redpoll.

Ringing Control: Goldfinch, ringed GPBO 7 October 2023, controlled Grembergen, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium 22 February 2024.

December 4th. Fairly cold, damp start, partially cloudy, with light south-westerly wind, becoming foggy.

A Purple Sandpiper was reported along the North End beach with Sanderlings and Turnstones.

December 3rd. Mostly cloudy, with light winds.

The Long-tailed Duck was offshore again with 12 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye and 6 Red-throated Divers in a brief watch. 158 Sanderling were feeding along the beach and 5000 Knot were on the Haven on the falling tide. There was another light movement of Thrushes and Finches. Other birds around included 14 Corn Buntings, 3 Woodcock, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Merlin.

Ringing Control: Blackcap, ringed Limerie, Luxembourg, Belgium 17 September 2024, controlled GPBO 4 October 2024.

December 2nd. Fairly calm and mild again becoming bright.

A 40 minute watch from Mill Hill shortly after dawn was productive at sea and with vis mig over the East Dunes. A Slavonian Grebe arrived from the north and settled offshore, followed by a Red-necked Grebe and a Black-throated Diver that both passed south. The Long-tailed Duck remained close in with Common Scoter. A single Lapland Bunting and 3 Bramblings passed overhead with a light passage of Chaffinches, Linnets, Skylarks and Rock Pipits.

December 1st. Dull and overcast with occasional light rain but mild with a south-westerly wind.

There was only light passage over the sea, mostly Gulls moving, but also a flock of 6 Snow Buntings went south over the sea. The Long-tailed Duck was close inshore with 8 Common Scoter. Heading south over East Dunes were 18 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings, 6 Rock Pipits and 11 Starlings. Other birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 6 Stonechats, 2 Water Pipits, 60 Linnets, a Blackcap and 2 Sparrowhawks. One of the Sparrowhawks caught a freshly arrived Starling but was quickly dispossessed by two Magpies.

Sparrowhawk, 1st December 2024.
Photos - Kev Wilson

Late November 2024

November 30th. Overcast, quite misty start, with fresh southerly wind.

A quiet day for recording not least because of the poor visibility this morning. However, there were still plenty of Robins and Blackbirds to count with a handful of Goldcrests and several mobile Water Pipits over the west side. Around the Plantation, the two Chiffchaffs and single Blackcap remained with a Brambling, a few Redwing and a flock of 35 Fieldfare that arrived from the north. Nearby, a Yellow-browed Warbler was an excellent late-autumn find for one of the team in an isolated woodland strip off the A52.

November 29th. A fairly mild and bright morning with fresh southerly breeze.

An early morning sea-watch produced some good birds: a Long-tailed Duck was on the sea close in again, 4 Little Gulls, a Goosander, a Goldeneye 2 Slavonian/Black-necked Grebes and a Black-throated Diver went south, with a Great Northern Diver veering out south-east. Various Red-throated Divers, Eider, Common Scoter and Wigeon flocks were also moving, and some Starlings were arriving off the sea. 2 Hen Harriers were hunting the outer dunes including a new ringtail (juvenile male). Vis mig involved small numbers of Skylarks, Rock Pipits and Linnets.

Marsh Harrier, 29th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Golden Plovers, 29th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Little Gull, 29th November 2024.
Photo - Kev Wilson

November 28th. Frozen start, gradually thawing out and drying out in the sun, with light variable wind.

Highlights of an early morning sea-watch were 20 Pintail and a Goosander heading south. On the lagoons were up to 10 Water Rails, a Great White Egret, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Kingfisher. Other birds around included a Red Kite, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Woodcock, 2 Stonechats and 10 Corn Buntings.

Red Kite, 28th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Buzzard, 28th November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Brent Goose, 28th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 28th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Stonechat, 28th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

November 27th. Rain until early afternoon, then clear with light northerly wind.

The heavy rain delayed any serious recording until early afternoon at which point attention turned to the sea in the hope that the residual northerly wind might produce some interest. There was a good movement of Kittiwakes, with many small flocks totaling 496 in around 3 hours. A Long-tailed Duck was settled offshore with another heading north. Other birds around included a Merlin and a Great White Egret.

November 26th. Another mild day, remaining dry with sunny spells and with a light south-westerly wind.

The sea was quieter this morning except for a Slavonian/Black-necked Grebe that landed distantly. Finches were moving south in small numbers again, including 10 Bramblings and a Twite, and there were more Thrushes, with several small flocks of Fieldfares moving south. A male Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper and a Bullfinch were around the Plantation, with a Water Pipit calling over Sykes Farm. The highlight of the day was a Bittern seen on Tennyson's Sands in the afternoon.

Bittern, 26th November 2024.
Photo - Rob Smith

Marsh Harrier with prey, 26th November 2024.
Photo - Rob Smith

Water Rail, 26th November 2024.
Photo - Rob Smith

November 25th. Mostly cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind.

The strong south-westerly wind produced a good variety of birds offshore and some overland vis mig that has been lacking for a while. The highlight was a Black-necked Grebe close inshore and in front of 5 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe arrived from the north and settled on the sea, and a Long-tailed Duck flew south close in. 25 Great Crested Grebes and 13 Red-throated Divers were also recorded, mostly moving south in an hour. Among the small parties of Starlings, Chaffinches, Siskins and Linnets moving south were 8 Bramblings and 2 Redpolls.

Storm Bert casualty, 25 November 2024.
Photo - George Gregory

November 24th. Storm Bert - strong winds and rain.

An hour's sea-watch early on produced small numbers of Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Pintail, Common Scoter and Red-throated Diver.

November 23rd. Storm Bert - strong winds and rain.

Three Woodcock were the only birds recorded during the very rough conditions.

Fox, 22nd November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Whooper Swans, 22nd November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Marsh Harrier, 22nd November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Brambling, 22nd November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Leucistic Blackbird 22nd November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

November 22nd. Cold, quite cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind. Most water-bodies frozen over.

Eight Whooper Swans left their roost on Fenland Lagoon and headed south early morning, while 3000 Pink-footed Geese left their roost on Croftmarsh and 1500 Starlings passed through early, presumably from a local roost. Offshore highlights were a Skua sp, a Mediterranean Gull and another 12 Whooper Swan south. A Peregrine caught an incoming Blackbird over the sea, the regular male Hen Harrier seemed to be hunting in tandem with one of the local Marsh Harriers and another Marsh Harrier was seen later predating a Little Egret. Both Barn and Short-eared Owls were seen. 3 Cattle Egrets flew south over New Saltmarsh towards the Wash. Its been a fairly poor year for Mistle Thrushes but one was present today and even broke into song briefly. Other birds around included a Water Pipit, 4 Corn Buntings and 2 Woodcock.

Whooper Swans, 21st November 2022.
Photo - Paul Neale

Teal, 21st November 2022.
Photo - Paul Neale

Teal, 21st November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Mallards, 21st November 2024.

Photo - Tom Baker

Sanderling, 21st November 2024.

Photo - Tom Baker

Turnstone, 21st November 2024.

Photo - Tom Baker

Stonechat, 21st November 2024.

Photo - Paul Neale

November 21st. A cold morning with a light westerly breeze.

Highlights of an hour sea-watch prior to 0900hrs were single Little Auk and Black-throated Diver, with a few small groups of Whooper Swans passing through. Another Little Auk was seen at sea later, a Snow Bunting was on the beach and a Common Sandpiper was on the River Steeping Haven. Also around were a Merlin, 5 Stonechats, 190 Linnets and 1400 Herring Gulls.

Snow Bunting, 21st November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Beach scene with Gulls, 21st November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Mid November 2024

November 20th. Continued northerly wind and even colder than yesterday with a prolonged snow shower late morning.

At least 4500 Pink-footed Geese left the roost on Croftmarsh. A long morning sea-watch was fairly disappointing for seabirds with single Little Auk, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver and 9 Goldeneye being the highlights. However, there was much interest in the birds arriving over the sea: Redwings, Blackbirds, Woodcock and Snipe. A flock of 60 Barnacle Geese arrived on Croftmarsh late morning. Other birds around included a Snow Bunting, a Red Kite, 3 Woodcock and 2 Bramblings.

Pink-footed Geese at dawn, 20th November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Barnacle Geese, 20th November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 19th. A fresh north-westerly wind after overnight and early morning rain. Attention focused on the sea which produced 4 Little Auks, 3 Scaup, 10 Goldeneye, a Velvet Scoter, a Great Skua, a Sandwich Tern, 3 Great Northern Divers and 300 Kittiwakes. A Purple Sandpiper paused on the beach. Elsewhere, a flock of 55 Barnacle Geese arrived on Croftmarsh.

Pintail, Teal and Black-tailed Godwits, 19th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Purple Sandpiper, 19th November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Little Egret, 19th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Water Rail, 19th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

November 18th. Frosty start, mostly cloudy, with light north-westerly wind.

The Siberian type Stonechat and Yellow-browed Warbler were both still present. A Snow Bunting was around the beach whilst a Bearded Tit flew west over the Visitor Centre Car Park early morning. Otherwise, a quiet day with little change.

November 17th. Mostly cloudy and cool, with moderate north-westerly wind.

Before sun up a Buzzard left its roost at Aylmer Avenue and perched up to enjoy the first rays of light as the sun came up in Measures, as did 2 Marsh Harriers that left their roost in the Mere reedbed. At this time, the WeBS counters were busy as the waders were leaving the roost on the ebbing tide: 70,000 Knot, 2280 Grey Plover, 5850 Dunlin, 1170 Sanderling, 3300 Oystercatcher and 1300 Bar-tailed Godwit. It was fairly quiet offshore except for a late Sooty Shearwater north, 18 Whooper Swans and 3 Goosander south and a raft of 120 Eider. Around the beach were a Lapland Bunting, a Snow Bunting, 2 Merlin and a Peregrine. The Siberian type Stonechat was still just north east of Mill Hill.

Around were a Cattle Egret, 3 Woodcock, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Ring-necked Parakeet and 4 Whooper Swans which flew south and landed on Jackson's Marsh. A Snipe was on Freshwater Marsh and 2 Bearded Tits were on the Mere. Around midday a Yellow-browed Warbler was discovered at Halfway Sycamores.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 13 new birds: 7 Redwing, 4 Blackbird, a Chaffinch and a Wren; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Siberian type Stonechat, 17th November 2024.
Photos - Paul Neale
Little Egret & Cattle Egret, 17th November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound
Whooper Swans, 17th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker
Whooper Swans with Mute Swans, 17th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker
Marsh Harrier, 17th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker
Teal, 17th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

November 16th. Mostly cloudy, with moderate south-westerly wind.

The Siberian type Stonechat was still just north-east of Mill Hill. Visible migration over East Dunes involved mostly Chaffinches and Siskins with a few Bramblings and Rock Pipits, 2 Bullfinches and a Yellowhammer, whilst thrush flocks were moving down the west side including a flock of 220 Redwings and a flock of 35 Fieldfares. Offshore highlights were a Great Northern Diver arriving from the north and settling on the sea, 30 Whooper Swans south and a Slavonian Grebe rapidly north.

Just up the coast at Seacroft were a Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Bramblings and a Woodcock.

Siberian type Stonechat.
Photos - Stuart Ainsworth
Pink-footed Geese, 16th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker
Little Egret, 16th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

November 15th. Mostly cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.

The Siberian type Stonechat was still showing very well on the East Dunes just north-east of Mill Hill. Two Snow Buntings were around the beach and 2 Lapland Buntings and a ringtail Hen Harrier went south amongst some good overland migration, whilst 340 Golden Plover were arriving from the north and moving into the Wash over the sea. 2 Cattle Egrets an a male Merlin were around Croftmarsh while 500 Wigeon were on the lagoons.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided just a new Blackbird.

Siberian type Stonechat, 15th November 2024.
Photos- Tom Baker

November 14th. A quite soggy start, mostly cloudy, with light north-westerly wind.

Another day of Thrushes arriving, particularly Blackbirds and Redwings, with small numbers of Finches moving through. Geese were prominent early on with 5000 Pink footed Geese leaving the roost and a further 760 out towards Norfolk later, whilst a further increase in Brent geese involved 571. A morning sea-watch was generally quiet except for a Red-necked Grebe south, a few flocks of Eider north and 2 late Sooty Shearwaters moving north and tracked further up the coast. A later sea-watch yielded a Slavonian Grebe and a Long-tailed Duck but the watch was interrupted by the appearance of a very smart Siberian type Stonechat. Other birds around included 2 Swallow, 2 Merlin, a Water Pipit, 2 Bullfinches, 6 Stonechat and 11 Corn Bunting.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: a Robin, 3 Goldfinch, a Reed Bunting, a Redwing, 2 Song Thrush and 8 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Robin and 2 Blackbird.

Ringing Control: Sparrowhawk, ringed Kilnsea, East Yorkshire 2 November 2024, controlled GPBO 12 November 2024.

Siberian Stonechat, 14th November 2024.
Photo - Sam Goddard

Siberian Stonechat, 14th November 2024.

Video - Sam Goddard

Siberian Stonechat, 14th November 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Water Rail, 14th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale
Pintail, 14th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale
Pintails, 14th November 2024.
Photo- Tom Baker
Pintail, 14th November 2024.
Photo- Tom Baker

Little Egrets, 14th November 2024.

Photo - Paul Neale

Little Egrets, 14th November 2024.

Photo - Paul Neale

November 13th. Cloudy, with light westerly wind.

Highlights of the morning sea-watch were 2 Black-throated Divers south together, 2 probable Grey Phalaropes south together, a Woodcock and 440 Starlings arriving, a vocal Bean Goose and an unusual ringtail Harrier that flew north offshore, seen at other locations up the coast. There was a good overland movement of Finches, Pipits and Larks, and still at least 10 Water Rails including some showing very well from the hides overlooking Tennyson's Sands.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 27 new birds: 2 Wren, a Reed Bunting, a Redwing and 23 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Redwing, a Wren and a Robin.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent yielded 15 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Wren, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock, 5 Redwing and 3 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: a Dunnock, 5 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Goldcrest.

Robin, 13th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Shoveler, 13th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 13th November 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Stonechat, 13th November 2024.
Photo - Zara Brown

November 12th. Cloudy, with moderate north-easterly wind.

A morning sea-watch produced a good selection of birds: flying north were a Red-necked Grebe, a Great Northern Diver, a Skua species, 110 Kittiwakes, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Arctic Terns and 2 Slavonian Grebes leading a group of Auks, and south a Pomarine Skua. 2 Snow Buntings were around the beach and a Twite flew south.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Goldfinch, 4 Redwing and 4 Blackbird; 3 retraps: 2 Blackbird and a Song Thrush; and 2 controls: a Sparrowhawk with a British ring and a Blackbird with a Danish ring.

Shovelers, 12th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Marsh Harrier, 12th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Black-tailed Godwits, 12th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Wren, 12th November 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Sparrowhawk, controlled 12 November 2024.
Photo - George Gregory

November 11th. A quite soggy start, then quite sunny but cool, with light north-westerly wind.

The remarkable run of rare moth occurrences continues with a Red Sword Grass and the first county record of Oak Rustic attracted to light.

Another busy early morning period with Thrushes, Finches, Pipits, Skylarks, 30 Whooper Swans, 400 Pink-footed Geese and over 2000 Woodpigeons on the move. A Woodlark went south over the Plantation and a Cattle Egret went south down the East Dunes, but may have been the bird later joining the regular 2 on Croftmarsh. Offshore a there were good numbers of Gannets for the time of year, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Great Northern Diver going south, 3 Arctic Terns north, and several Starlings and a Woodcock arriving over the waves. Other birds around included 2 Barn Owls, a Green Woodpecker (Plantation), a Water Pipit, a Jack Snipe and 3 Cetti's Warblers.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 4 Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Goldcrest and a Robin.

Oak Rustic, 11th November 2024.
Photo - Sam Goddard

Red Sword Grass, 11th November 2024.
Photo - Sam Goddard