Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: Early October 2025

October 1st. Mostly cloudy, with light southerly wind and some light rain from late morning.

Visible migration was fairly steady down the East Dunes between 0720 and 0920hrs involving the usual species: Siskins, Chaffinches, Meadow Pipits, Rock Pipits and Reed Buntings, but with an increase of Goldfinches today and an unusual number of Crossbills - a total of 51 south (including flocks of 22 and 14) with a further 15 Crossbills around North Car Park Pines through the morning. Also heading south were 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Buzzards and a Merlin, with another Merlin remaining local along with single Buzzard and Marsh Harrier. The juvenile Hobby continued to give great views in the West Dunes where it was hawking dragonflies.

Several skeins of Pink-footed Geese came across the Wash and headed NW inland early morning , totaling 550. The Cattle Egret remained but no reports of Glossy Ibis. Also around the reserve were 2 Stonechats, 5 Bramblings and a Greenshank.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 22 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Robin, a Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, a Song Thrush and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler and a Robin.