Gib Oct 21st – 26th

October 26th. Birds around included a Merlin, 37 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker, a Fieldfare and 160 Redwing. On Tennyson’s Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank, and on Jackson’s Marsh 4 Ruff and a Water Pipit. Going south were 28 Whooper Swan and 3 Fieldfare.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 18 new birds: 16 Goldcrest, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and a retrap Goldcrest.

October 25th. Birds around included 700 Pink-footed Goose, 780 Brent Goose, 3 Merlin, a Hen Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, a Snow Bunting, a Bullfinch and 9 Redpoll. On Tennyson’s Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank. Heading south were 41 Whooper Swan, 245 Pink-footed Goose, 960 Woodpigeon, 2 Marsh Harrier, 9 Brambling, 44 Siskin, 35 Tree Sparrow, 39 Redpoll and 2 House Martin.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 7 Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Robin, a Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps:  singles of Wren, Robin and Great Tit.

October 24th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.
Around were 800+ Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson’s Sands was a Greenshank.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new Goldcrest; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Tit and a Goldcrest.

October 23rd. Flying south were 2 Serin, 44 Whooper Swan, 5 Rook and many finches and buntings. Birds around included a Firecrest, 800+ Pink-footed Goose and a Merlin. On Tennyson’s Sands were 3 Avocet and a Greenshank, and on the Mere 3 Water Rail.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 36 new birds: 18 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, a Greenfinch, 3 Blackbird and a Fieldfare; and 13 retraps: 5 Redwing, 2 Blackbird, a Great Tit, 3 Goldcrest, a Wren and a Dunnock.

October 22nd. Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 750 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Redwing and 10 Goldcrest. On Jackson’s Marsh were an Avocet and 8 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson’s Sands 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Heading south were 4 Brambling.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 12 new birds: a Goldcrest, 5 Robin, a Linnet, 3 Lesser Redpoll, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 4 Robin, 2 Redwing, a Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest and a Blue Tit.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 22 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 4 Robin, a Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 4 Greenfinch, a Redwing, 3 Blackbird and a Kestrel; and 17 retraps: 2 Wren, 2 Robin, a Coal Tit, 2 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, 5 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Greenfinch.

October 21st. Rain most of morning.
The Dusky Warbler was seen again around the Cycle Track next to Tennyson’s Sands. Other birds around included 15 Fieldfare, 65 Redwing and 35 Goldcrest. On Tennyson’s Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank.