Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

Early April 2019

April 10th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind.
The first Tree Pipit of the year flew south mid afternoon. Birds around included 39 Brent Goose, a Goosander, a Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, a Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel (first of the year), 2 Sandwich Tern (first of the year), a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 3 Swallow, a House Martin, 3 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler (first of the year), 3 Ring Ouzel, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), a Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail (first of the year), a Rock Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer and 16 Corn Bunting.

Black Redstart, 10th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Black Redstart, 10th April 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 10th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Ring Ouzel, 10th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Ringing Control:
Goldfinch ringed GPBO 2 March 2019, controlled Saul's Bank, Lincolnshire 28 March 2019.

April 9th. Moderately strong north-easterly wind.
An Osprey was fishing the river west of Croftmash in the late afternoon. Birds around included a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, a Stonechat and a Siskin.

Ringing Control:
Chiffchaff ringed Willingham Wood, Lincolnshire 25 August 2018, controlled GPBO 27 March 2019.

April 8th. Misty start, gradually clearing.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, 79 Brent Goose, 33 Eider, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 152 Redshank, 7 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, 7 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Short-eared Owl, 4 Blackcap, 16 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Redwing, 3 Brambling and 21 Corn Bunting. In off the sea came a Buzzard.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 4 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap; and 5 retraps: 3 Goldcrest and 2 Blackbird.

Brambling, 8th April 2019.

Video - Ben Ward

April 7th. Misty, drizzly day, with increasing northerly wind.
A second summer Yellow-legged Gull was in the evening high tide roost. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 White Wagtail; on Croftmarsh 3 Barnacle Goose; and on Jackson's Marsh a Water Pipit. Birds around, including those trapped, were 85 Brent Goose, an Eider, 2 Buzzard, 87 Avocet, 29 Ringed Plover, 47 Curlew, 11 Turnstone, 94 Redshank, a Jack Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, a Firecrest (Plantation), 5 Redwing, 3 Yellowhammer and 11 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 20 new birds: 8 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and a Song Thrush; and 14 retraps: 6 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Goldfinch and a Chaffinch.

April 6th. On Jackson's Marsh were a Pink-footed Goose, 4 Barnacle Goose, 3 Goosander (later east) and a Water Pipit. Around, including birds trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, 4 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, a Rock Pipit and 19 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Robin and 2 Reed Bunting; and 7 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Blue Tit, 2 Wren and 2 Reed Bunting.

April 5th. Moderately strong easterly wind.
Birds around, including those trapped, were a 79 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Merlin, a Hooded Crow, a Sedge Warbler (first of year), 5 Blackcap, 16 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 3 Yellowhammer and 4 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were a male Garganey, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe and 3 Water Pipit.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded just 3 retraps: 2 Goldcrest and a Robin.

Sedge Warbler, 5th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Skylark. 5th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Little Ringed Plover, 5th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

April 4th. Cold start, gradually warming up.
Around, including birds trapped, were 37 Brent Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose (Croftmarsh), an Eider, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzard, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, 15 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 4 Yellowhammer and 5 Corn Bunting. Heading south was a Redpoll.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 4 new birds: a Wren, a Blackcap and 2 Robin; and 2 retrap Blue Tit.

'A little bit of bread and no cheese', 4th April 2019.
Video - Ben Ward

April 3rd. Cold, soggy start, gradually warming up and drying out.
A migrant Long-eared Owl was discovered roosting at the northern end of the reserve. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Barnacle Goose (Jackson's Marsh), 2 Goosander (Tennyson's Sands), a Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Hooded Crow (Beach), a Swallow, 7 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, a White Wagtail (Croftmarsh), a Redpoll, 3 Yellowhammer and 19 Corn Bunting. Flying south were 3 Siskin and a Yellowhammer.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Blackbird, a Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.

Long-eared Owl, 3rd April 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Long-eared Owl, 3rd April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Yellowhammer, 3rd April 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

April 2nd. Intermittent rain from late morning.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, 69 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Garganey (briefly on Jackson's Marsh), 21 Eider, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Goosander, 2 Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Water Rail, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Hooded Crow (Greenshanks Creek), 12 Sand Martin, a Swallow, a House Martin, 9 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Redwing, a White Wagtail (Tennyson's Sands), 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Brambling, 2 Yellowhammer and 25 Corn Bunting. Going south were a Red Kite, 4 Rook, a Swallow and 14 Siskin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap and a Woodpigeon; and 3 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Reed Bunting.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 6 new birds: 5 Goldfinch and a Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: a Goldfinch and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

Garganey, 2nd April 2019.

Video - Ben Ward

White Wagtail, 2nd April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Blackcap with adhering pollen, ringed 2nd April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Woodpigeon, ringed 2nd April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

April 1st. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Swallow, a Grey Heron and 8 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 4 Yellowhammer and 17 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Bearded Tit (Male), 1st April 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Bearded Tit (Female), 1st April 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 1st April 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Late March 2019

March 31st. A Great White Egret went north early morning. Birds around, including those trapped, were 72 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Woodcock, 2 Little Gull (offshore), 7 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Ring Ouzel, 8 Redwing, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Firecrest, a Grey Wagtail, a Crossbill, 2 Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer and 22 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Goosander and a Bearded Tit; and on Croftmarsh 4 Barnacle Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just 2 new birds: a Firecrest and a Blackbird.

Firecrest, 31st March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Firecrest, ringed 31st March, 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

March 30th. Foggy start, gradually clearing.
On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Barnacle Goose, a Goosander, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Bearded Tit. Around, including birds trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Jack Snipe, 10 Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest, 3 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 6 Redwing, a Brambling, a Bullfinch, a Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer and 8 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 3 Red Kite, a Sand Martin and a Swallow (the first hirundines of the year).
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Robin, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit and a Linnet; and 3 retrap Great Tit.

Firecrest, 30th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Goosander, 30th March 2019.
Video - Ben Ward

Chiffchaff, 30th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

March 29th. A Serin flew south, then west, early morning. On Tennyson's Sands were a Pink-footed Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose, 2 Goosander, 100 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped. were 68 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 8 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, a Wheatear, a Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, a White Wagtail, a Yellowhammer and 39 Corn Bunting. Flying south first thing were a White Wagtail, 7 Brambling, 10 Chaffinch and 18 Goldfinch.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Chaffinch and 2 Redwing; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird, a Firecrest and a Chaffinch. The retrapped Firecrest was ringed on March 26th. It increased in weight from 4.7g to 5.1g.

Barnacle Geese, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Yellowhammer, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Firecrest, retrapped 29th March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Rising Sun, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward

Black-headed Gull, 29th March 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

March 28th. The Black Redstart remained around the Visitor Centre. Around, including birds trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, 44 Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 54 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Snipe, a Woodcock, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, 2 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (East Dunes), 8 Redwing, a Fieldfare, 2 Water Pipit, a Bullfinch, 6 Siskin, a Yellowhammer and 44 Corn Bunting. Going south were 7 Velvet Scoter, 25 Common Scoter, 3 White Wagtail and a Brambling; and west 5 Fieldfare and 7 Siskin. A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 14 new birds: 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Redwing and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit.

Hen Harrier, 28th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Black Redstart, 28th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Meadow Pipit, 28th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Blue Tit, 28th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Setting Sun, 28th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

March 27th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 62 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 4 Snipe, 3 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Hooded Crow (North End), 2 Treecreeper, a Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, a Black Redstart (around Visitor Centre Car Park), a Water Pipit (Tennyson's Sands), 4 Brambling, a Mealy Redpoll, a Siskin, a Crossbill and 12 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, a Linnet and 2 Blackbird; 7 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Wren, a Blackbird, a Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Goldcrest; and a control Chiffchaff.

Black Redstart, 27th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Sparrowhawk, 27th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Mealy Redpoll, 27th March 2019.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Ringing Control: Goldfinch ringed GPBO 7 October 2016, controlled Wezembeek, Belgium 7 February 2018 and 7 March 2018.

March 26th. Frosty start, gradually warming up.
Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Pink-footed Goose, 46 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Grey Heron, a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, a Little Ringed Plover (Jackson's Marsh), 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Woodcock, 3 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hooded Crow (Beach), 18 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 180 Starling, a Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer and 20 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 6 Velvet Scoter, a Buzzard and a Brambling.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, a Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Robin, a Wren, a Goldcrest and 2 Dunnock.

Firecrest, ringed 26th March 2019.

Photo - George Gregory

Little Ringed Plover, 26th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Reed and Corn Bunting, 26th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Solar Halo, early morning 26th March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

March 25th. Increasing north-westerly, then northerly, wind.
A Purple Sandpiper flew low north along the beach with Turnstone late morning. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Brent Goose, 2 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 2 Woodcock, 5 Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Hooded Crow, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 220 Starling, a Brambling, a Lesser Redpoll, 3 Yellowhammer and 4 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Great Crested Grebe, 41 Avocet and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. In from the south came 5 Mute Swan. To the north-west of the reserve were a further 4 Hooded Crow.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just a new Woodcock.

Woodcock, ringed 25th March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

March 24th. Two Bearded Tit were discovered in front of Harvey's Hide on Tennyson's Sands in the morning, then presumably the same birds commuted between there and the Mere. Around, including birds trapped, were 45 Brent Goose, 7 Goosander, a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Water Rail, 27 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, 119 Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 350 Starling, 84 Redwing, a Wheatear, a Water Pipit (Croftmarsh), a Brambling, a Bullfinch and 21 Corn Bunting. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk and 12 Buzzard; and west, the first Little Ringed Plover of the year.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 10 new birds: 6 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Robin, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and a retrap Dunnock.

Comma, 24th March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

March 23rd. On an excellent day of raptor migration heading south were a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 13 Sparrowhawk, 43 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 10 Rook, 1660 Starling, 6 Alba Wagtail, 2 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting. In off the sea came a Kestrel. Birds around, including those trapped, were 82 Brent Goose, 56 Eider, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 31 Avocet, 1139 Oystercatcher, 4400 Grey Plover, 45 Ringed Plover, 72 Curlew, 280 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Turnstone, 26800 Knot, 425 Sanderling, 4750 Dunlin, 68 Redshank, 3 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, 59 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Hooded Crow, 14 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, 400 Starling, a Brambling, 4 Yellowhammer and 26 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: 5 Chiffchaff, a Wren and a Reed Bunting; and 8 retraps: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting, a Great Tit, a Long-tailed Tit and 2 Dunnock.

High tide near Bird Observatory, 23rd March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Chiffchaff with pollen horns, 23rd March 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Colour Ring Sighting:
Cormorant ringed Yderste, Denmark 31 May 2000, colour ring sighted GPNNR 22 April 2002.

March 22nd. The wandering Pied Crow, seen briefly here last autumn, flew south through the reserve mid-morning. Around, including birds trapped, were 55 Brent Goose, a Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 56 Avocet, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a Hooded Crow, 2 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 600 Starling, 41 Redwing, 2 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, a Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, 8 Siskin and 24 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: 7 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Robin, 3 Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, a Blackbird, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

March 21st. In East Dunes was a Long-eared Owl. Birds around, including those trapped, were 35 Brent Goose, 236 Eider, a Grey Heron, a Great Crested Grebe, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 650 Oystercatcher, 28 Golden Plover, 4869 Grey Plover, 96 Curlew, 589 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Turnstone, 550 Sanderling, 5850 Dunlin, 28844 Knot, 3 Woodcock, a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine, a Hooded Crow, a Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 900 Starling, 5 Wheatear, 2 Brambling, 4 Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer and 16 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 2 Sparrowhawk, 10 Buzzard, a Woodlark, 932 Starling and a Brambling.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 15 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Robin, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 3 Dunnock.

Long-eared Owl, 21st March 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Short-eared Owl, 21st March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Buzzard, 21st March 2019.
Photo - Jack Wilson

Wheatear, 21st March 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward.