Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Mid October 2024

October 15th. Cloudy all day, with a light south-easterly wind turning easterly later on.

A huge Redwing arrival and migration dominated the morning. Small groups were moving initially but then after 0745hrs very large flocks were arriving from the north and moving south, predominantly down the West Dunes. By 0945hrs, over 17,000 had arrived/passed through and flocks continued to pass through throughout the day. Also flying south early morning were 3 Marsh Harriers, probably out of a roost. Other birds around included 23 Brent Geese, a Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 10 Siskin, 20 Brambling and 8 Ring Ouzels.

Late afternoon a Cattle Egret flew south towards Croft Marsh. The Fresh Water Marsh held 3 Common Snipe and a Ring Ouzel while 500+ Starlings provided entertainment near dusk over the Fenland Lagoon. A Marsh Harrier was at the back of the Mere for the last hour before dusk whilst to the north of North Car Park, around 750 Redwing were looking for somewhere to roost for the night.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 18 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, 10 Redwing and 2 Song Thrush; and a retrap Wren.

A late afternoon till dusk ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 28 new birds: 25 Redwing, a Wren, a Robin and a Sparrowhawk; and a retrap Wren.

Redwings, 15th October 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Redwing, 15th October 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Ring Ouzel, 15th October 2024.
Photo - Tom Baker

Ringing Control: Chiffchaff, ringed Rowlands Sewage Works, Tyne and Wear 3 August 2024, controlled GPBO 3 October 2024.

October 14th. Early morning light rain then mostly a sunny day with a light north-westerly wind continuing.

Tennyson's Sands early morning held 294 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Egyptian Geese, 77 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall,180 Wigeon, 50 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 1302 Teal and 7 Tufted Duck. There were also 34 Little Grebe and 13 Water Rail along with 259 Lapwing, 47 Golden Plover, 21 Avocet, 29 Black-tailed Godwit and a Snipe. There were 2 Cattle Egret and a Great White Egret on the lagoons along with 3 Marsh Harriers about and 2 Cetti's Warblers on Tennyson's Sands. There was a Stonechat on the Mere and another at the Visitor Centre. A Yellow-browed Warbler was again vocal around Sykes Farm where 4 Bearded Tits flew over mid morning. A House Sparrow went north late morning.

Late afternoon there was a Kingfisher on the Mere and the male Stonechat still on bushes in the reedbed there also. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was about late afternoon and small numbers of Redwing were dropping in from the north.

Cattle Egrets, 14th October 2024.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Golden Plovers, 14th October 2024.

Photo - Jack Hood

October 13th. Overcast, with a light north-westerly wind.

54 Whooper Swans had roosted on Tennyson's Sands overnight and departed early. They were followed by a further 39 south. 3 Cattle Egrets were also on Tennyson's Sands, and Teal were still in high numbers - c2000. Visible migration involved similar numbers and species to the last few days, but 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Twite also flew south. A light arrival late morning brought new Redwings, Song Thrushes, Chaffinches and a Yellow-browed Warbler. Birds around included 120 Brent Geese and a Coal Tit.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: a Wren, a Dunnock, a Reed Bunting and 5 Long-tailed Tits.

Cattle Egrets, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Nige Lound

Cattle Egrets, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Whooper Swans, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale
Marsh Harrier, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Jack Hood

Avocets, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Barn Owl, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

Cetti's Warbler, 13th October 2024.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 12th. Cloudy, with increasing south-westerly to southerly wind, with rain developing after midday.

Highlights of the morning sea-watch included a Pomarine Skua, a Great Northern Diver and 5 Little Gulls.

Around were 120 Brent Geese, 30 Whooper Swans, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Merlin.. Two Water Pipits were flushed off the Old Saltmarsh by a Marsh Harrier late afternoon.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: 4 Wren, 2 Goldcrest and a Blue Tit; and 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Wren and a Blackcap.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 14 new birds: 7 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit and a Great Tit; and 2 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit and a Blue Tit.

Great White Egret, 12th October 2024.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Mallard, 14th October 2024.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

October 11th. Frosty, clear start, gradually becoming sunny and warm, with light south-westerly wind.

Every autumn we get one or two days when large numbers of Whooper Swans pass through, and today was one of those days - the total of 838 birds was the most ever seen here in a day, providing an amazing sight and sound! Pink-footed Geese were also on the move with several large skeins passing through. Visible migration otherwise involved a good passage of Finches, Pipits and Larks, with a few Wagtails and Swallows. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Bearded Tits. Other birds around included 86 Brent Geese, a Spotted Redshank, a late Common Sandpiper, 5 Jays, a Red Kite, a Water Pipit and a single Yellow-browed Warbler remaining at Sykes Farm.

Overnight, the Northern Lights provided a spectacular display

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Coal Tit (showing characteristics of the continental subspecies), a Robin and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Blackcap and a Robin.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn produced 9 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 2 Goldcrest and a Blackcap; and a retrap Robin.