Paid a visit to the reserve this afternoon, coinciding with an extremely high tide. Probably the highest I have seen in since I started visiting the reserve. 59 Curlews were roosting on the harbour scrape along with around a dozen Lapwings.

Curlew and Lapwing, Hbr Scrape, 4 Nov 2009

As I walked around the harbour wall the tide was only about a foot below the top. The sea water was flowing out underneath the wall and onto the path and then flowing down into the drainage ditch on the other side. A steady flow was recorded. Not sure if this in time will cause the actual path to be undermined.

 The scrape had more roosting birds present with around 100 Lapwing and a similar number of Teal. A few Shoveler and Mallard were also present but not a single Wigeon or Black Tailed Godwit which struck me as unusual. As did a single Barn Swallow moving west across the scrape. This is probably the latest Swallow I have had in Hampshire. The albino Canada Goose was present at the scrape with c80 standard looking birds. I have seen this bird on and off around this area for the last five years or so. Also a family party of four Brent dropped in for a spot of cleaning preening. Not sure how the breeding season went this year for the Brents. Hopefully I will see plenty more young birds over the next few weeks.

Canada Goose, Links Scrape, 4 Nov 2009

Steve Copsey

Today I took Mrs C out to Sandy Point with the hope of catching up with one of the Razorbill's that Andy Johnson had found yesterday off the Lifeboat Station.  We parked up in Southwood Road and walked through the gap to the shingle. Straight away I caught sight of the familiar white flash of a Wheatear dipping into one of the gardens , this then hopped onto the fence to give excellent views. 
Wheatear, Black Point, 02 November 2009
Immediately another bird flew onto the adjacent roof and this proved to be a male Black Redstart, I had seen these here in previous years but not for a while.  We carried on to Sandy Point but there were no other birds of note and unfortunately no Razorbills, but it was a pleasant walk in the autumn sun for both myself and Mrs Cutts.
Mark C.

Last night I saw Morrissey at the RAH, so this morning found me just north of the Staines Reservoirs, thus an opportunity to see the Shrike arose.
Travelling south and existing at Junction 14, I took the small left fork signposted "Stanwell Moor". The sight is easy to find from here, follow the road until you get to the PH on the map, "The Anchor" and turn right, another 200 metres as soon as you see the banks of the resrvoirs, park sensibly near the small stream.
Brown Shrike Site Map (courtsey of UK 400 Blog by Lee Evans)
From here follow the footpath along the reservoir fence, keep your eyes and ears peeled here as Firecrest has been reported a few times.
Take a right at the swing metal gate and its another 300 metres on, what is now, a muddy track, until you get to a small broadwalk, drop off the other side, walk 10 yards and view the area across the stream.  The shrike tended to frequent the same group of three small bushes all the time I was there, but as Tony's shot shows it can range a bit.  Whilst here we heard and saw regular high flying RN Parakeets, a few Redpoll,a Blackcap and what we are sure was a Yellow Wag. The bushes on the way were alive with birds and a few hours here would surely produce a good list.
Mark C.

Many thanks to the people who responded to query regarding the unidentified species we saw on the rock last week. The caterpillar is that of a Death's Head Hawk Moth. The caterpillar can occur in three different colour variations, green yellow and this particular variation brown. I have received a couple of replies to the Burnet Moth; Zygaena hilaris or Z fausta are the two choices. I have looked up both these species on the web and I have to admit I cannot tell the difference. The common name is Auspicious Burnet Moth which is good enough to me.Death's Head Hawk Moth Caterpillar, Brown Phase, Jews Gate Observatroy, 15 Oct 2009Auspicious Burnet Moth,  Jews Gate Observatroy, 13 Oct 2009

Thanks again for the id comments. I just need the cricket/grasshopper now

Steve Copsey

   Due to a change in circumstances I had the day off today and that enabled me to 'twitch' the first-winter Brown Strike at Stanwell Moor, Surrey that has been present since 11 Oct 09.  Shortly after I parked up at Hithermoor Road I was informed by a returning 'birder' that the bird was thankfully still present.  I arrived at the reported viewpoint [TQ035734] to find several birders spread out along the bank of the River Colne trying to relocate the bird after it had disappeared five minutes earlier.  

The River Colne at Stanwell Moor, Surrey looking West from the footpath at TQ035734 - 23 Oct 09

   Luckily I only had to wait half an hour before I spotted the Brown Shrike at 1029 perched in one of the hawthorn bushes on the other side of the river.  Initially the bird was quite mobile and it took a few minutes before everyone present had seen the bird.  However, from 1040ish it flew to a bramble runner protruding from one of the bushes and remained there in full view until at least 1100 when I decided to head home.  By then the number of 'birders' present had increased to twenty. 

Stanwell Moor, Surrey looking northwest from the footpath at TQ035734 at the scrub frequented by the Brown Shrike - 23 Oct 09

   Other birds of note during my visit included singles of Kingfisher and Snipe.  

   Although the views of the Brown Shrike were a little distant the 'twitch' was a great way to celebrate my selection earlier in the week for promotion to Warrant Officer 2.   

Good Birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open) 

The last entry for the visit to Gibraltar is a bit of a mish mash. As usual these are the shots that I could not seem to fit in anywhere else. Some of the ID’s are known, some are guessed and some are down as unidentified. Any help with these would be much appreciated. The Preying Mantis, (not sure what is the plural for Mantis but there were several seen during the visit), coming to the Observatory lights are particularly pleasing. That said the Green Mantis is crawling up Allen’s leg so he was not overly keen when I said hold on a minute as I fiddled with the camera dials for a better shot!! I am guessing that the caterpillar is one of a Hawkmoths but again not 100%. It was however around 15cm long so I am guessing it did not belong to a micro moth.   Moorish Gecko, Jews Gate Observatory, 12 Oct 2009

Iberian Wall Lizard, Jews Gate Observatory, 13 Oct 2009

Preying Mantis, Jews Gate Observatory, 14 Oct 2009

Preying Mantis, Jews Gate Observatory, 12 Oct 2009

Unidentified Cricket/Grasshopper

Unidentified Moth.....Burnett sp perhaps...Certainly a day flyer

Unidentified Caterpillar

Steve Copsey

Whilst not connecting with any new species of bird, I had a little more luck with butterflies. (I would have preferred the birds). Four of the species below were new to me. The only exception being the Clouded Yellow which I have seen in Southern England on a number of occasions. The two Tailed Pasha is a real gem of an insect and I was more than happy to get decent images of it and the other species. I am pretty happy with the Long Tailed Blue ID, but as normal if I have erred please let me know. Rather pleased with the two flight shots of the Yellows. Particularly the Clouded. You normally don't see the upper wing of these two species. The beauty of digital is that I could take dozens of shots to get a shot I was happy with.

Two Tailed Pasha, Jews Gate, 13 Oct 2009

Swallowtail, Spur Battery, 15 Oct 2009

Clouded Yellow, Spur Battery, 15 Oct 2009

Clouded Yellow, Spur Battery, 15 Oct 2009

Long Tailed Blue, Spur Battery, 15 Oct 2009

Cleopatra, Jews Gate, 16 Oct 2009

Cleopatra, Jews Gate, 16 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey

Allen and I ventured up the Mediterranean Steps on two occasions during our visit. It is classified as a hard walk, but as long as you go steady it is pretty straight forward if a little tiring.

There is some very good habitat ‘on the back’ of the rock, which includes some of the rarer flora to be found in Gibraltar. I have been walking the steps for a dozen years or so and at one time certain stretches were a considerable danger. Glad to say they are now in a better state of repair and well worth a walk.

I wish I could remember the name of this plant, some sort of Arum Lily I think

O'Hara's Battery. The Levanter Cloud can be seen over the centre of the rock. Spain in the distance is bathing in sunshine.

You eventually exit the steps at O’Hara’s Battery the highest point in Gib. When we walked up on the Wednesday a troop of Barbary Macaques were feeding at the Battery. Although they are known locally as Gib or Rock Apes (also a term of endearment to many serving in the Navy) they are in fact Monkeys.

Barbary Macaque, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009

No one is exactly sure of their origins but it believed they may have been brought over by the Moors around a thousand years ago. Although it is still possible they are the last of a relic European population. What is certain is that they were present long before the British. A local superstition suggests that if the Apes leave the rock so will the British. Winston Churchill ordered a restocking of the population after the Second World War as there were only 7 individuals left. Today the population is nearer to 250 consisting of 5 troops.

Barbary Macaque, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey

It wasn’t only raptors we saw during our visit. We did also connect with a 'few' of the local specialities. Barbary Partridge was a target bird for Allen and fortunately on our travels we came across five birds. Including a pair just underneath O’Hara’s Battery at the top of the Mediterranean steps. Getting a shot of them was another matter. The most widespread passerine is the Sardinian Warbler; these were seen all over the rock in most habitats.

Sardinian Warbler, female, Jews Gate Observatory, 14 Oct 2009

Yellow Legged Gull is by far the most common bird on the rock. I know that their numbers used to be controlled but they still roam around in great numbers.

Night birds featured heavily in our short visit to the observatory at Jews Gate, Gibraltar. We arrived on the Monday to be told that the day before a Red-necked Nightjar and a Scops Owl had been rung at the obs. Obviously we were hoping for more of the same and weren't disappointed when on the Tuesday the early morning nets produced a European Nightjar, by no means a common find on Gib with most years producing just a single record.
European Nightjar, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 13th Oct 2009 (Photo: Steve Copsey)
A few days later and Ray returns from the early morning nets with another tiny jewel in the form of a Eurasian Scops Owl, this small bird proved a treat for all and Steve, one of the A ringers was chuffed to get a new ringing tick.
Eurasian Scops Owl, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 15th Oct 2009 (Photo: Steve Copsey)
A final mention goes to a bird that was present every night of our visit and apparently for a while before.  As soon as dusk arrived on night one the sound of a hooting Tawny Owl came form the scrub above the obs.  This bird was with us every night sometimes responding to the various attempts at Tawny call but most of the time flying from bush to tree, looking at us as much as we looked at him. 
Tawny Owl, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 15th Oct 2009 (Photo: Steve Copsey)
The last picture is for Steve as he expressed a wish for it to be put on the blog, he's such a big softie at heart, but what a great image.
Eurasian Scops Owl, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 15th Oct 2009 (Photo: Steve Copsey)
Mark C.

Whilst Steve and Allen were searching for raptors I was enjoying the delights of the nets and the great ringing that can be found on Gib. I was under the tuition of the resident ringer, Ray Marsh and various other visiting ringers. By the end of day one I was in full swing taking the biometrics of the birds and carrying out the regular rounds of the nets.
The species we were encountering were generally very familiar to the birds that we getting in the UK, by far the most common were Blackcaps and Robins.
On day two I had a single Sardinian Warbler, a Reed Warbler and my first Greenfinch as well as the commoner northern migrants.
Sardinian Warbler being processed, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 13th Oct 2009
On the Wednesday Song Thrushes and Black Redstarts were a noted addition as they began to arrive from the north and these continued through to the end of the week.
Black Redstart, Gibraltar, 13th October 2009
We continued getting migrants both in the mornings and towards dusk and Thursday brought a ringning tick in the form of a first year Stonechat.
Stonehat, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 15th Oct 2009
By the time we had finished on Friay and it was time to go home I had processed 140 birds of eleven species. Highlights were Scops Owl and Common Nightjar (pics to follow) and two Uk controls, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.
Once again thanks to Jill for her excellent admin and to Ray Marsh for his patience and sage like mentoring.
Ray and me at the ringing hub, Jews Gate, Gibraltar, 15th Oct 09
Mark C.

Other than Booted Eagles the passage of other raptors was relatively light. Probably due to the twin factors of viewing late in the season and the Levanter Cloud. Still we could not be disappointed with 7 definite Short Toed Eagles, probably a few more but too distant to be sure. 11 Sparrowhawk a single Osprey and a lone Kestrel.

Sparrowhawk Cable Car Station, 15 Oct 2009

Compare this to a short afternoon visit in the September of 96 whilst I was serving on HMS York. Black Kite x422, Honey Buzzard x75, Sparrowhawk x51. Along with smaller numbers of Black and White Storks, Booted and Short Toed Eagles Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers, Goshawk Peregrine, Osprey and Kestrel.  Alas no camera, no images to capture.

Osprey, Cable Car Station, 15 Oct 2009

I was quite pleased that one of the Short Toed Eagles came quite close. Unfortunately the light was poor with grey cloud behind the bird. Still better than no image at all. The Peregrine below was almost certainly the same bird that took on several Booted Eagles as the passed overhead.

Peregrine Falcon, Levant Battery 12 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey

Booted Eagle was by far the most common raptor passing over the rock during our stay. Up to 2000 of these medium sized eagles can be seen crossing the Straits each autumn. The first two days were pretty much a wash out as far as raptor watching was concerned as the rock was shrouded in cloud. We were unfortunate to be caught in the middle of the Levanter season. This arises when humid easterly winds surge up the sheer east faces of the rock. Quite an impressive site as the cloud funnels through at great speed. Needless to say not great for raptor passage as the rock summit can stay covered in cloud all day.

Booted Eagle, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009

On Monday we had a single Booted Eagle. That said it was quite a sight. The three of us were walking near the Levant Battery when we saw a Yellow Legged Gull chasing another large bird very near to the sea. This large bird was in fact a young Booted Eagle that probably got disorientated and ending up skimming the sea. As we watched the Eagle gained height and eventually flew out south at greater height, not too much the worse for wear.

Yellow Legged Gull chasing a Booted Eagle, Levant Battery, 12 Oct 2009

Tuesday was no better as the rock remained shrouded in cloud, however, we did have 4 birds at lower altitude. On Wednesday Alan and I walked up the Med steps. These take you south from Jews Gate and under the south face. You then climb steeply to the summit from the eastern side of the rock. When we arrived at O’Hara’s Battery we were again greeted by the Levanter although there were occasional breaks. We had a couple of Booted Eagles straight away in the cloud above us. Followed quickly by a Peregrine that steamed past us and dived on one of the two eagles. This is a regular occurrence and can result in the eagles losing eyes! Fortunately the Booted Eagle survived the attack but it did drop considerable height which brought it right alongside us at the battery. I managed a few quick shots before the bird was on its way. Wednesday was generally a better day for viewing with cloud sitting about 100-200 metres above the rock during the afternoon. We finished the day with a count of 32 Eagles and a few Sparrowhawks, and good views of a two Short Toed Eagles. Many of the eagles approached in sunshine but then disappeared above our heads into cloud. Maybe 32 could have been more but we’ll never know.

Me and my shadow. Booted Eagles at differing heights and conditions

Booted Eagle, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009. After losing the Peregrine this bird departs for Morocco.

Thursday was the best day for viewing. We arrived at the cable car watch point just after lunch and we finished the day with 53 Booted Eagles, 5 Short Toed Eagles, 5 Sparrowhawk, 1 Osprey and 1 Kestrel. In a twist of fate the weather was nearly too good. With plenty of sun the eagles gained considerable height and many passed through 1000’s of metres above our heads. Thankfully several did not attain that height and passed through within range of the camera. we ended the week with 90 Booted Eagles which considering the conditions was rather pleasing.

Booted Eagle, Pale Phase, Cable Car Watchpoint, 15 Oct 2009

Booted Eagle, Dark Phase, Cable Car Watchpoint, 15 Oct 2009

Booted Eagle, Pale Phase, Cable Car Watchpoint, 15 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey

Gibraltar is situated in Latitude 36’ N, 5’W at the eastern end of the strait which bears its name. It is not as many think the closest European point to Africa. This honour goes to Tarifa around the other side of the bay in Spain. That said the coast of Morocco is only about 14 miles away. The Rock as it is affectionately known rises to 426 metres at O’Hara’s battery which is near the southern edge of the rocks ridge.

Straits of Gibraltar

Western Mediterranean (This photo was not taken by me! The eagles below, were). 

Since convection is poor over sea, large birds which mainly migrate by soaring find it extremely difficult to cross. Therefore all large soaring birds that migrate from Europe to Africa have to pass either to the East or West of the Mediterranean Sea. (Ok so a few do pass down Italy but then risk the wrath of the Maltese hunters). The majority of these migrating birds that breed in Central North Western and Western Europe choose to cross the Med either at Gibraltar or Tarifa depending usually on the prevailing winds. Ther can literally be 1000's of raptors in the air on the best days. In westerly winds Gibraltar gets the lion’s share of the passage whereas Tarifa gets the easterly wind birds. Unfortunately for this visit the wind was predominantly from the east but due to poor weather over the hills to the north of Tarifa we did get a little more passage than we expected.

Booted Eagle, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009

Booted Eagle, Cable Car Station, 15 Oct 2009

Short Toed Eagle, Cable Car Station, 14 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey

Myself, Mark and his brother Alan have just spent the last five days in Gibraltar. Mark was primarily out there to get some ringing in at the Observatory with Ray Marsh a retired army Captain who now resides over the border in Spain. Alan and I were both there for the general birding. Principally to see a few raptors passing overhead, (although we knew it was a little late in the season); but essentially to catch up with a few local specialities and also hoping for a goody or two in the nets. We were not disappointed. Over the next week or so Mark and I will place a few entries on the blog of our exploits. Hope you enjoy it.

The Rock

Booted Eagle, 15 Oct 2009

Barbary Macaque, Top of the Rock 15 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey

   At 0845 on Saturday 10 Oct 09 after another early start I arrived at the Cairngorm car park to sunshine and light winds.  Unfortunately, as I headed up the path that leads from the car park to the summit of Ben Macdhui the weather deteriorated.  From nowhere a bank of cloud moved in that restricted visibility at times to less than 10m and the wind strength also increased.  On the plateau conditions were such that I would have had to step on a Ptarmigan to see one.  However, I had never climbed the second highest peak in the United Kingdom before so I continued and reached the summit in just over two and a half hours. 

Snow Bunting, Ben Macdhui - Saturday 10 Oct 09.  One of at least five birds seen at the summit. 

Summit of Ben Macdhui - Saturday 10 Oct 09

Summit of Ben Macdhui - Saturday 10 Oct 09

   After a bite to eat and a mug of hot coffee I headed back down the path.  It was then that the cloud dissipated as rapidly as it had accumulated to reveal stunning views of the plateau and adjacent Munros.  I was then able to regularly scan the plateau with my binoculars on route to the summit of Cairngorm.  It was during one of those scans that I had the good fortune to see the head of a Ptarmigan behind a clump of rocks. 

Ptarmigan, Cairngorm - Saturday 10 Oct 09

As I walked slowly towards the motionless bird I spotted a second bird to the right of the first. 

Ptarmigan, Cairngorm - Saturday 10 Oct 09

   When I was within approximately 20m of the two birds the first began to call very softly.  Both Ptarmigan then stood up and a third bird revealed itself from behind the rocks.  The now very wary birds began to first walk, then run and finally fly away from my position and disappeared beyond a rise in the ground. 

Ptarmigan, Cairngorm - Saturday 10 Oct 09

Ptarmigan, Cairngorm - Saturday 10 Oct 09

   To finally get really good views of Ptarmigan (a UK resident species) whilst ‘standing by’ DAUNTLESS in build was immensely satisfying.  On one of my previous visits to the area I did briefly spot two birds fly over a ridge but that was in very wet and windy conditions.  Apart from that I had heard them and come across a carcass.   

Ptarmigan, Cairngorm - Saturday 10 Oct 09

   Hopefully within the next year or two I will get the opportunity to see as well as hear a Corncrake on one of the islands to the West or North of the Scottish mainland. 

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)

   I had a very rewarding stroll around Hook with Warsash this afternoon.  On Links Scrape at 1350 I spotted a species of goose that I was unable to identify amongst the large flock of Canada Geese.  Prior to setting off I had seen Dan H's report from Titchfield Haven yesterday of a goose that I had never heard of before.  Once I returned home I looked up his record and 'googled' Cape Barren Goose and confirmed that that was indeed what I had seen.  

Cape Barren Goose, Hook with Warsash - 16 Oct 09

   When I arrived the Cape Barren Goose was on one of the islands but it later flew off to the far side of the scrape revealing a black tail in flight.  There it initially got a tough time off of the Canada Geese but later on it gave as good as it got. 

Cape Barren Goose (negative rings), Hook with Warsash - 16 Oct 09

Cape Barren Goose, Hook with Warsash - 16 Oct 09

   For me though the most significant sighting was that of an immature Dartford Warbler in gorse adjacent to the site of the old wooden bench.  Prior to the harsh winter the species was regularly seen in the scrub at Hook Links but todays bird was the first I have seen at the site this year.  Hopefully, it will stay around and get joined by others to recolonise the area. 

   Other interest included my first large flock of Brent Goose of the autumn (174 birds on the western shore of the River Hamble estuary) and two juvenile Common Scoter offshore from the 'Brents'. 

   On the butterfly front I spotted three Clouded Yellow, two Red Admiral and a very worn Painted Lady. 

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)

A relatively uneventful afternoon amble along the Canal path was punctuated by the irregular cracks of doubled barrelled shotguns being fired. The highlights were a steady trickle of Swallows heading generally south down the Meon and the canal side scrub held decent numbers of Chiffchaff again heading in a southerly direction. Other than that the path itself was rather quiet save the usual Canada Geese and Woodpigeons.  As I headed north from Hammonds Bridge, I could hear the guns going off and I guessed correctly that it was the upper Posbrook flood hosting the action, (site of the two Garganey this spring). I saw several small flocks of Teal and Wigeon heading towards the flood over a period of an hour or so. Usually a few seconds and four barrels of fire later the survivors headed south back into the Haven. Quite a juxtaposition that on one hand the birds have a safe haven in the reserve, yet if they stray a few hundred metres north it could be curtains. I do not doubt the pair of chaps firing were doing so legally and above board, enjoying their sport. Personally I’ll stick to football; c’mon you reds, 4-3 Owens a legend.

The ducks below were photographed by me, but not today, with the squally weather the camera stayed in the dry bag.

Teal Martin Mere 21 Feb 2007

Wigeon Hook with Warsash 29 Mar 2009

Teal Portchester Hbr, 9 Jan 2009

Wigeon Hill Head, 16 Apr 2009

All said though I do enjoy crispy duck at the Stubbington Chinese. (bad person I am).

Steve Copsey