Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: 2025

September 20th. Mostly cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind.

Thick fog to start the day eventually clearing but definitely making seeing the birds difficult at first, visible migration did continue but on a smaller scale to the last two days. Totals from Mill Hill for the morning of birds heading South included 4130 Meadow Pipit, 450 Swallow, 530 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 5 Swift, 5 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 190 Linnet, 67 Siskin and 17 Reed Bunting.

On the sea there were 5 Eider (3 South), whilst heading south were 20 Common Scoter, 16 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Auk species and 8 Gannet. Waders brought up the beach by the high tide included 41,000 Knot, 150 Sanderling and 1000 Dunlin.

Also around the reserve today were 80 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 3 Spoonbill, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Peregrine.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 56 new birds: 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Wren, 13 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 12 Robin, a Cetti's Warbler, 14 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and 3 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Reed Bunting.

Gadwall, 20th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Kingfisher, 20th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Pink-footed Geese, 20th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Shelduck, 20th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

September 19th. A mainly sunny day with broken cloud and a brisk south-south-westerly wind.

Another great day of visible migration, although you had to be up early to see it as the majority of it had finished by 9am. Between 7am and 9am, totals of birds heading South included 12050 Swallows, 7430 House Martins, 150 Sand Martins, 2 Redwings (First of the Autumn), 201 Yellow Wagtails, 560 Meadow Pipits, 106 Chaffinches, 395 Siskins, 8 Redpolls, 1 very late Cuckoo and 3 Swifts, whilst heading out to Norfolk were 189 Pink-footed Geese.

The 3 Glossy Ibises flew North over Aylmer Avenue, probably back to feed in Field 10 although they couldn't be located there later in the morning, although there were 2 Spotted Flycatchers around the south gate to Field 10. Also about were 2 Marsh Harriers, whilst 3 Stonechats and 1 Whinchat were around Fenland Lagoon, and a Greenshank was actually on there. Offshore, a Black Tern and a Manx Shearwater were seen.

On Tennyson's Sands were 163 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Shoveler and 15 Teal whilst a Great White Egret flew over Croft Marsh. On the River were a Greenshank and 4 Little Egrets.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 5 Robin, a Blue Tit, 2 Blackcap and a Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: a Wren, a Robin and a Great Tit.

Shoveler's on Tennyson's Sands, 19th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Greenshank, 19th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Common Darter Dragonfly, 19th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

September 18th. Mostly cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind and occasional brief light rain.

An incredible day of visible migration ensued today with record totals of Meadow Pipits amongst the highlights. Coverage was in place both in East Dunes at Mill Hill and at the Hump in West Dunes from 7am onwards with coverage continuing until at least 12.30pm in East Dunes with extra bits recorded in the afternoon. There were a wide range of species, mainly passerines on the move, these are just the highlights.

Totals of birds heading south included 16,750 Meadow Pipits (Including 14,600 between 7am and 10am over Mill Hill), 980 Siskins, 870 Swallows, 1060 House Martins, 36 Sand Martins, 2 Swifts, 4 Grey Wagtails and 9 Crossbills.

Also seen were a distant bird of prey which was thought may have been a Honey Buzzard, and a ringtail Harrier which was probably a Hen Harrier. Piles of Wheatears were apparently on the beach but unfortunately nobody had time to go and count them. A Little Ringed Plover went south over West Dunes, and also seen were a Treecreeper, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Marsh Harriers.

A Cattle Egret was still in Field 10, which also attracted 3 Glossy Ibises briefly during the afternoon although they landed on Tennyson's Sands at 7pm, probably to wash before roosting somewhere nearby. A Black Redstart was around the Visitor Centre in the afternoon and 3 Stonechats were just North of the Visitor Centre Carpark.

The Mere was home to a Green Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit. Tennyson's Sands held 28 Shoveler, 36 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 3 Greenshank, 110 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Avocet.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 46 new birds: 14 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Robin, 6 Blackcap, 2 Swallow, a Greenland Wheatear, a Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Robin and a Kingfisher.

Moth trapping overnight resulted in 159 moths of 32 species including some good migrants such as 6 Delicates and yet another Vestal.

Greenland Wheatear, ringed 18 September 2025.
Photo - George Gregory

Greenshank, 18th September 2025
Photo - Jack Hood

Little Egret, 18th September 2025
Photo - Jack Hood

Delicate and Vestal Moths, 18th September 2025
Photo - Nigel Lound

September 17th. Mostly cloudy, with prolonged rain from early morning, and fresh south-westerly wind.

A brief look at the sea in the rain early on revealed 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-throated Diver (South), 60 Gannet (South), 135 Sandwich Tern and 5 Arctic Skua (North).

Late afternoon, when the rain finally stopped, water levels on the lagoons had clearly been raised a very small amount, more importantly the bone dry mud was finally wet again! The Mere held 1 Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper, whilst Tennyson's Sands held 2 Mute Swan, 100+ Teal, 8 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 60 Mallard, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Avocet and a Spotted Redshank.

Also about late afternoon were a Marsh Harrier and a Barn Owl whilst the West Dunes Tit flock was accompanied by a Spotted Flycatcher.

A rough day in store, 2025
Photo - David Nutt

Time to get off the beach! 2025
Photo - David Nutt

September 16th. Mostly cloudy, with strong westerly wind and occasional light morning rain.

Little movement offshore or overland in the strong wind early on but after 0800 visible migration picked up and by 10 o'clock, some 5500 Meadow Pipits and 960 Siskins had passed through down the East Dunes and over the beach and sea, with House Martins, Swallows and Linnets mixed in. A small number of Redpolls, Skylarks, Chaffinches, House Sparrows and Grey Wagtails also headed south.

Tennyson's Sands held 25 Shoveler, 211 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 1 Greenshank. Field 10 still had the Cattle Egret in it along with 6 Yellow Wagtail. On the sea heading south were 65 Sandwich Tern, 3 Ruff, 8 Artic Skua, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater and 51 Gannet.

An evening watch proved that overland migration was still happening. A Honey Buzzard low down the West Dunes was a great start and there followed many more Swallows, House Martins and Meadow Pipits, 7 Marsh Harriers (included 5 that arrived together and were tracked further down the coast), an Osprey, 7 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Raven.

The East Dune Frontage, a great place to witness visible migration, 2025
Photo - David Nutt

A wind swept beach at low tide, 2025
Photo - David Nutt

September 15th. Mostly cloudy, with strong south-westerly wind.

A morning sea-watch in the strong winds produced 4 Common Scoter, 3 Eider, 9 Golden Plover (South), 3 Turnstone, 1 Snipe, 51 Sandwich Tern, 1 Long-tailed Skua (South), 6 Arctic Skua (South), 1 Guillemot (South), 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater (South), 6 Spoonbill and 71 Gannet (South).

Other birds around today included 2 Egyptian Geese on Tennyson's Sands. A Curlew and 3 Greenshank were on Fenland Lagoon, 3 Stonechat in the Dunes and 6 Yellow Wagtail and a Cattle Egret in Field 10. Also 95 Meadow Pipits continued to push south despite the head wind as did a trickle of Swallows and House Martins.

Also today saw the Observatory blog hit 2 million views! not bad for a wholly volunteer-made news feed and blog.

Cattle Egret, 15th September 2025
Photo - Nigel Lound

Egyptian Geese, 15th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Curlew, 15th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Greenshank in the blustery conditions, 15th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Stonechats, 15th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

September 14th. Clear start, gradually clouding over, with slowly increasing south-westerly to south-easterly wind and afternoon rain.

Another good day for visible migration passage with passerines heading south including 3573 Meadow Pipit, 174 Swallow, 23 Sand Martin, 5 Swift, 67 Linnet, 39 Chaffinch, 62 Siskin, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Grey Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Skylark, 2 Wheatear and the highlight, an Osprey.

Also around were 6 Spoonbill. Tennyson's Sands held 2 Shoveler and a 3 Spotted Redshank, Greenshank. Two more Greenshank were on Jackson's Marsh and another 6 Shoveler flew over. Three Tree Sparrow were at the Visitor Centre feeding station.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 43 new birds: 13 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 16 Robin, a Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Goldcrest.

A morning ringing session in West Dunes resulted in 20 new birds: 5 Robin, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap and 1 Greenfinch; and 2 retraps: 1 Dunnock and 1 Long-tailed Tit.

Willow Warbler, 14th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Great Tit, 14th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

A shy Wheatear, 14th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Shoveler, 14th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

September 13th. Another clear start to the day, clouding over with occasional rain in the strong south-south-westerly.

The morning high tide counts for waders today were 4530 Oystercatcher, 1500 Grey Plover, 110 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 60,000 Knot, 233 Ringed Plover, 710 Sanderling, 3100 Dunlin, and 64 Sandwich Terns. Also heading south over the sea were 4 Pintail and 2 Gannet. A lone Eider was sat on the sea.

Other southward bound visible migration included 432 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 40 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin, 24 Swift, 56 Linnet, 15 Siskin, 12 Chaffinch, 4 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite. Also around the reserve were 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 8 Stonechat and 3 Spoonbill. It was clear that there had been an overnight arrival of Robins and Goldcrests in small numbers.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided just 2 retraps: a Robin and a Goldcrest.

A check of the owl boxes revealed an adult flying off and a newly fledged young Barn Owl retrap, having been ringed there as a chick earlier.

First-year Barn Owl, re-trapped 13 September 2025.
Photo - George Gregory

Spotted Flycatcher, 13th September 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

Sanderling and Dunlin moving over the high tide, 12th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Grey Plovers moving over the high tide, 12th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Knot moving over the high tide, 12th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Sandwich Terns on the move, 12th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Knot on the move over the high tide, 12th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

Sandwich Terns on the move, 12th September 2025
Photo - Tom Baker

September 12th. Clear, soggy start, becoming cloudier, with increasing south-westerly wind.

A very busy morning for visible migration and waders at the roost. Many Meadow Pipits and Hirundines were heading south with 3 Swifts, 4 Grey Wagtails, 14 Buzzards, 8 Kestrels, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Red Kites and an Osprey. Over 100,000 waders came up to roost on the morning tide and included at least 6 Curlew Sandpipers.

A few miles inland an introduced female White-tailed Eagle from the Isle of Wight which is satellite tagged showed well.

Tennyson's Sands held 21 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 93 Mallard, 224 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper, 240 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and 3 Spotted Redshank and 1 Spoonbill. Also around the reserve were a Whinchat, 2 Yellowhammer and 1 Cattle Egret were in Field 10,

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 2 Robin and a Whitethroat; and a retrap Wren.

Female White Tailed Eagle at Middle Marsh, 12th September 2025
Photo - Nigel Lound

Pair of Gadwall, 12th September 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Greenshank, 11th September 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

Buzzard, 11th September 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

Little Egret with food, 11th September 2025
Photo - Mike Watts

Chiffchaff, 12th September 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Willow Warbler, 12th September 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

Long-tailed Tit, 12th September 2025
Photo - Paul Neale
Meadow Pipit, 12th September 2025
Photo - Paul Neale

September 11th. Partly cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind and thunder and rain in afternoon.

All the action was still on the beach today with wader movement over the high tides. Unfortunately the wet conditions in the afternoon meant no records were received.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 2 new birds: a Blackcap and a Robin; and a retrap Robin.