Global Birdwatching Event
GONHS Participates in Global Birdwatching Event
On Saturday 9th May GONHS participated in the Ebird global birdwatching big day event, by having an outing which began with a walk from Parson’s lodge and finished at Hardings battery, where a seabird/raptor watch was carried out to conclude the event. Although the weather forecast for the day was not promising, a few of our members managed to attend the event and were rewarded with a few hours were the weather held back until early afternoon before the rain eventually came.
As we set off from Parson’s Lodge we had already logged a Shag and several common species found in the area. Our first stops along the northern end of Camp Bay, showed us various species like Greenfinch, Wren, Sardinian Warblers. Flying above us we also had a Kestrel patrolling his patch.
As we proceeded all, we eventually came across the pair of Peregrine falcons that hang around this area, with the male indulging on a small bird it had recently hunted.
Along the promenade next to Little Bay a Glossy Ibis was spotted overhead heading westward, which was attacked by a very territorial Peregrine falcon. Below us on the sea and on the rocks a few Shags were seen going about their daily feeding schedule. Unfortunately one of these Shags was seen with a fishing line dangling from its bill.
Onto Little Bay and in this area a number of birds were spotted, including Melodious warbler, Barbary Partridge, Kestrel, Blue Rock Thrush and a ringed Blue Tit and Sardinian Warbler among some other species. Above us the Peregrine kept a watchful eye as it patrolled the skies above us.
Once our time in this area had been exhausted it was onto Europa Point, where we enjoyed a well deserved coffee break at the Europa cafeteria.
Our next destination was Harding’s battery. The ideal spot to observe any passing raptors and seabirds migrating through the Straits. Although we weren’t rewarded with the raptors, which I suspect was due to the bad weather on the other side of the Straits, there was quite a few migrating Balearic Shearwaters heading westward. Also present where a couple of Audouin Gulls.
Although the weather threatened to spoil the day, the event turned out to be very enjoyable, with a good number of species seen and an excellent get together for all that attended.