The post-nuptial ringing campaign begun at the Jews’ Gate Bird Observatory on the 3^rd August and officially ended on the 20^th November, with three days in December when only a few nets were used.

A total of 5526 new birds and 290 retraps brought the total of birds processed to 5816 of 53 species.   There was an increase of 915 birds this year, compared to the same period in 2024 when only 4611 birds of 53 species were processed, mainly composed of wintering birds.  

Ringing Totals

The month of August, during which only sixteen ringing days were favourable, consisted mainly of dispersing juvenile resident birds, with healthy numbers reflecting a good breeding season. This contrasted with the last two years when Black rat (Rattus rattus alexandrinus), numbers had a devastating effect on the population of breeding birds. Early trans-Saharan migrants were few, but resident species increased the total to 321 new birds. 

The month of September, saw twenty-five ringing days for a total of 739 new birds ringed; an increase of 304 birds compared to last year, composed mainly of trans-Saharan migrants. There were 110 retraps consisting mainly of resident species.  In late September, numbers increased with the arrival of migrant Blackcaps, bolstering the catching rate. Scarce birds included a Woodchat Shrike on the 7^th, a Melodious Warbler on the 8^th, Wryneck on the 16^th and Tree Pipit on the 17^th.  

Late trans-Saharan migrants were still encountered in the first few weeks, but the month of October was dominated by the arrival of wintering species, for a total of 3072 new birds; 832 more than last year.  Blackcaps, Robins, Chiffchaffs and Black Redstarts dominated the month with 1588, 480, 305 and 257 birds respectively.  Among the scarcer species were a Blue Rock Thrush on the 3^rd, Wryneck on the 2^nd and 4^th, a Red-breasted Flycatcher on the 16^th and a Rock Bunting on the 24^th.

A further 1268 birds were ringed throughout November, with late trans-Saharan species consisting of a Reed Warbler and three Swallows on the 3^rd, a Garden Warbler on the 4^th and a Red-rumped Swallow on the 12^th.  The second Red-breasted Flycatcher of the autumn was ringed on the 1^st, which constitutes the fourth ringing record for Gibraltar.

There were five controls during the period with two Blackcaps from Belgium on the 7^th October and 13^th November, a German (Heligoland) Blackcap on the 14^th October, a French Blackcap on the 16^th October and a Spanish Greenfinch on the 24^th October.

A special thanks to our resident ringers in charge, David Wilkinson, Ian Lees, Mark Cutts and Richard Geary, and all our visiting ringers.