The Report sections listed below are largely complete and may be consulted here. They remain subject to further alteration until the final Report, complete with photographs, is published in the usual format later in the year. In the meantime, suggested changes, alterations or submissions for publication will be gratefully received by the Editor, Ernest Garcia (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR 2023 

 Compiled by Ernest Garcia

 

EDITORIAL

Dr Ernest Garcia

 

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

This was a rewarding year for Gibraltar birding and also a record-breaker in terms of diversity. There were 166 species recorded, one more than in 2022. The tally included two new additions to the Gibraltar List. The first was a Booted Warbler, a rarity with only seven previous Iberian records, all of them in Spain. The other was a Corn Crake, a regular migrant that crosses the Iberian Peninsula on passage to and from its sub-Saharan winter quarters. For all that, the Corn Crake is seldom observed in Spain since it is highly secretive and always hides in dense ground cover. It is a nocturnal migrant and the Gibraltar bird was found dead after presumably colliding with a building the previous night.

A number of species that have very seldom been found in Gibraltar also appeared in 2023. A Little Ringed Plover, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Pallas’s Leaf-warbler were only the second local records. The last of these is a Siberian vagrant that is a rarity anywhere in Iberia. The plover and woodpecker are both locally common in Portugal and Spain: indeed the woodpecker breeds commonly in the Campo area, but the Gibraltar habitats are unsuitable for them. Other local rarities seen during the year included Little Swift (3^rd record), Sabine’s Gull (3^rd and 4^th records), Greater Spotted Eagle (3^rd record), Red-billed Chough (3^rd and 4^th records) and House Bunting (5^th record). Further notable sightings included records of Greylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Common Ringed Plover, Slender-billed Gull and Lesser Crested Tern, Glossy Ibis, Night Heron, Black-winged Kite, Cinereous (Black) Vulture, Spanish Imperial and Bonelli’s Eagles, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Western Olivaceous (Isabelline) Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler. As ever, details of these and all other 2023 records are given in the Systematic List below.

A development of particular interest involved appearances of the Long-tailed Tit. This is a common woodland species in southern Spain, including the Cork Oak forests of the Gibraltar hinterland. It is highly sociable and often found in flocks, consisting of one or more family parties. Nevertheless, it is highly sedentary in Iberia and the sole Moroccan record, of a small flock at Tangier in April 1967 (Bergier et al. 2022), is the only record from the African continent. The first Gibraltar record was by Mrs Helen Rait-Kerr, who saw a small flock in the mid-1940s. There were no further sightings until November 2004, when four birds out of a flock of ten were ringed at Jews’ Gate. Some of these were retrapped in 2005 but the next observations were not until November 2020 (one bird) and November 2022 (seven ringed). In 2023 there were multiple sightings of up to four birds, chiefly on the Upper Rock, at intervals in January, March, April, August, September and November. One of the November birds had been ringed there in 2022. It begins to appear that this former local rarity may be in the early stages of colonising Gibraltar, as only time will confirm.

Another possible colonist is the Tawny Owl, a species unknown locally certainly until at least the 1980s but that has been reported regularly since the turn of the century, from the Upper Rock and South District. This owl is most evident in late autumn and winter, when setting up territories and extremely vocal, but is otherwise unobtrusive. Nesting in Gibraltar has not yet been reported. It requires large cavities, usually in trees, which may be scarce in Gibraltar. Erection of owl boxes, at the Mount and in the Botanic Gardens perhaps, might prove worthwhile. The all too abundant Black Rats represent a generous food supply.

This was the year in which the Raven finally returned to Gibraltar as a breeding species. At least one pair of Ravens was a constant feature of the local avifauna throughout most of the 20^th century, and very probably earlier. However, the last successful breeding was in 1972 after which the single resident pair was reduced to a lone individual in 1973, which lingered until 1975 before disappearing. There was an interval of 25 years before a pair attempted to breed in 2001 but was unsuccessful. This pair persisted until 2012 but never managed to breed. The fact that one of the pair had only a single leg may have been a factor in the lack of success. Irregular sightings since 2012 did eventually lead to the establishment of a new local pair and it is this that managed to produce fledged young, just two birds, in 2023. It is to be hoped that this welcome development will herald the enduring presence of this species in Gibraltar once again.

Other breeding species experienced varied fortunes, the depredations of rats on the Upper Rock, and feral cats generally, exacting a steady toll of young Blackbirds especially and no doubt of other species as well, as remarked in the Ringing Report. Greenfinches were well established in the South District gardens, alongside Great Tits and Spotted Flycatchers. The Little Owl population remained at a low ebb, only one of just two resident pairs producing any young. At least one Eagle Owl was present but a sighting of two in December raises hopes that a breeding pair is present, although nesting has not been proved since 2005. Five Common Kestrel pairs and four Peregrine pairs were productive, hatching 15 and ten young in total respectively, although the number that fledged was not established. Yet again there were over-summering Robins without proof of breeding.

It was only an average or below-average year for counts of migrating raptors and soaring birds, whose local numbers are largely determined by whether the winds on any particular day are westerly (good) or easterly (bad), as local birders know only too well. In spring easterlies blew during the main passage periods of several species, resulting in modest counts of Honey Buzzards, Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagles and Sparrowhawks. However, the spring count of 2,430 Booted Eagles was the second highest on local record as well the Black Kite count of 38,694 birds, the latter involving some spectacular passage days. The autumn raptor passage is not fully monitored locally, partly because much passage skirts Gibraltar and is hard to count but mainly because a lot of raptors visit the Rock then but do not cross the Strait, moving repeatedly to and from Gibraltar and so making counts worthless. Nevertheless, the autumn to-and-fro movements do not generally involve Black Kites or Honey Buzzards, both of which pass steadily southwards in westerlies. In 2023 the Black Kite southward passage was of the order of 40,000 birds locally but the 5,796 Honey Buzzards seen would have been a small fraction of the total trans-Strait movements.

The migration seasons were otherwise largely unremarkable except for the pleasing diversity of species observed. However, in late autumn there was an exceptional series of very late records of trans-Saharan migrants. They included Willow Warblers on October 31^st and November 13^th, an Iberian Chiffchaff on October 22^nd, Common Reed Warblers on October 31^st and November 6^th, a Melodious Warbler on November 14^th, four Garden Warblers in November including one on November 30^th, two Spotted Flycatchers on October 21^st, a Nightingale on October 24^th, Pied Flycatchers on November 7^th and November 16^th and a Northern Wheatear on November 6^th. The significance of having so many late migrants of diverse species occurring in a single season is open to speculation but is worth bearing in mind should a trend be developing.

 

 

THE SYSTEMATIC LIST 2023 

Records marked * are pending consideration by the Rarities Panel.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES.

 

Status definitions.

Vagrant: Exceptional at any time in southern Iberia (including Gibraltar), e.g. Allen’s Gallinule.

Local Vagrant: Exceptional in Gibraltar but not unusual in southern Spain, e.g. Woodpigeon, Moorhen.

Rare: Seldom recorded in Gibraltar or anywhere in southern Spain, e.g. Yellow-billed Chough and Fieldfare.

Occasional: Seen infrequently and not annually e.g. Common Cuckoo.

Regular: Annual in small numbers. e.g. Red-necked Nightjar.

Common: Annual and sometimes numerous, e.g. Black Redstart.

 

Locations

Sites mentioned are shown on the Map on Page X. The term ‘Western Runway’ refers to the western end of the airfield runway, where a small loafing ground for gulls, cormorants, waders and some passerines is monitored by airfield staff.

 

Counts of migrant raptors. (See Appendices for daily totals).

Gibraltar only sees a variable fraction of the passage of raptors across the Strait. Most occur during westerly winds, when a higher proportion of the movements occur at the eastern end of the Strait. Harriers, falcons and the Osprey show only a limited tendency to seek short sea crossings and so their totals are invariably low. A daily watch is kept during the spring migration period.

 

Ringing

Birds ringed have been caught and ringed at Jews’ Gate, at the GONHS bird observatory at the south end of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, unless otherwise stated.

 

Names.

We follow the classification, sequence and nomenclature employed in the IOC World Bird List. Certain qualifiers, such as ‘Eurasian’, are omitted from vernacular names where no ambiguity results.

 

Greylag Goose           Ánsar común           Anser anser

Local vagrant: migrant.

A flock of 16 flew over the harbour on March 12^th.

 

Common Shelduck           Tarro blanco           Tadorna tadorna

Occasional: migrant & winter

An immature individual was at Western Beach on January 21^st. Two adults approached Europa Point from the east on October 2^nd before settling some distance offshore.

Immature Shelduck at Western Beach (T. Finlayson)

 

Common Scoter           Negrón común           Melanitta nigra

Occasional: winter.

Two were seen flying west from Europa Point on October 23^rd.

 

 

Common Quail           Codorniz común           Coturnix coturnix

Occasional: migrant.

One was at Europa Point on September 23^rd.

 

Barbary Partridge           Perdiz moruna           Alectoris barbara

Resident.

There were widespread reports throughout the year, generally of small groups. They included a family party at the Moorish Castle on May 13^th and five juveniles with an adult at Jews’ Gate on May 18^th. The largest numbers were reported from Windmill Hill, where there were 35 on March 12^th and 20+ on dates in August, October and December. Other locations frequented were in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, the Mediterranean Steps, the East Side talus and sand slopes, Camp Bay, Little Bay and the Mosque area of Europa Flats. One bird in the North Front cemetery on November 4^th was an unprecedented record for that location.

 

Red-necked Nightjar           Chotacabras cuellirojo           Caprimulgus ruficollis

Regular migrant.

The sole spring record was of one ringed on May 3^rd.

 

Spotlighting at night on the Upper Rock found two on October 7^th and seven on October 8^th. One was found dead on the road at Eliott’s Battery on October 12^th. There were 11 ringed between September 16^th and October 13^th.

 

European Nightjar           Chotacabras europeo           Caprimulgus europaeus

Regular migrant.

Three were found by spotlighting at night on the Upper Rock on October 8^th. Sixteen were ringed, all in autumn between September 15^th and October 21^st: all but three were juveniles.

 

Alpine Swift           Vencejo real           Tachymarptis melba

Regular but scarce migrant. Scarce breeder.

Single birds were seen on March 14^th, March 30^th and April 29^th. There were nine at the North Face in the vicinity of the breeding site on May 6^th.

 

Common Swift           Vencejo común           Apus apus

Common migrant and breeder.

Two were seen from Jews’ Gate on March 30^th and there were 400 there on April 15^th. The breeding population was evident as usual through the spring and summer. Large southward movements were seen over the Rock on July 19^th, August 16^th and August 27^th. None were reported subsequently.

 

Pallid Swift           Vencejo pálido           Apus pallidus

Common migrant and breeder.

The first report was of 22 at Europa Point on March 7^th and there were 100 over the town on March 13^th. The sizeable breeding population of this species was present as usual but was not monitored. Some southward passage was evident over the Rock on August 16^th, accompanying a large movement of Common Swifts. Late season reports comprised five on September 20^th, two on September 21^st and 22^nd and one on November 3^rd.

Pallid Swift (R. Perez)

 

Little Swift           Vencejo moro           Apus affinis

Local vagrant.

One was over the town on May 24^th. Only the fourth local record (A. Fortuna).

 

Common Cuckoo           Cuco común           Cuculus canorus

Occasional migrant.

One was in the North Front cemetery on April 15^th.

 

Rock Dove           Paloma bravía           Columba livia

Rare. (Feral birds common).

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 151 birds, a relatively modest total. Nevertheless, the birds were widely dispersed and included 14 on the Mediterranean Steps and 23 on the East Side as well as small groups in parks and gardens and other open locations.

 

Wood Pigeon           Paloma torcaz            Columba palumbus

Occasional.

One was found dead by the former East Side fuel tanks on November 27^th.

 

Turtle Dove           Tórtola europea           Streptopelia turtur

Scarce migrant.

There were four on Windmill Hill on April 28^th. There were also single birds on the Europa Point foreshore on April 30^th, May 26^th and May 29^th as well as one in the Botanic Gardens on May 13^th. Single birds were ringed on April 14^th and May 2^nd.

 

Collared Dove           Tórtola turca           Streptopelia decaocto

Common resident.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 120 birds. Most of them were in the town and in parks and gardens but there were also a noteworthy 27 in the Europa Point area, ten at Western Beach and six on the East Side. Later in the year the largest site-count was of 31 in the Botanic Gardens on October 16^th.

 

Corn Crake           Guión de codornices           Crex crex

Local vagrant.

One found dead at Europort on October 3^rd was the first local record (R. Perez). The Corncrake is a scarce and seldom seen nocturnal migrant through the region, for which Gibraltar lacks any suitable habitat.

 

 

 

 

Common Crane           Grulla común           Cuculus canorus

Occasional migrant.

A flock of 23 flew over the airfield on March 12^th.

 

Greater Flamingo           Flamenco común           Phoenicopterus roseus

Irregular migrant, usually annual.

There were eleven records. The first was a flock of 30 flying north along the east side on January 20^th. This same route was followed by two flocks, of 80 and 18 birds, on March 31^st. Flocks flying west across the isthmus were seen on March 15^th: 30 birds, July 2^nd: 19 birds, September 5^th: 30 birds, and November 3^rd: 36 birds. The flight direction of flocks of 35 seen from Jews’ Gate on April 13^th, of 13 seen from Europa Point on July 21^st and of 34 also off the Point on November 11^th were not reported. A single bird flew west at Europa Point on April 30^th.

 

Oystercatcher           Ostrero euroasiático           Haematopus ostralegus

Occasional: migrant.

One was seen from Catalan Bay on July 15^th and what may have been the same bird was seen from Europa Point the same day. Two were seen from Europa Point on July 16^th and 30^th and there were single birds there on July 22^nd, August 1^st and August 2^nd.

 

Pied Avocet           Avoceta común           Recurvirostra avosetta

Occasional: migrant.

Two flew west at Europa Point on July 15^th and ten also flew west there on August 19^th.

 

Black-winged Stilt           Cigüeñuela común           Himantopus himantopus

Occasional: migrant.

Two were on Catalan Bay beach early on April 28^th.

 

Common Ringed Plover           Chorlitejo grande           Charadrius hiaticula

Occasional: migrant and winter.

Up to three individuals were present on the Western Runway revetments on six dates between October 17^th and December 24^th.

 

Little Ringed Plover           Chorlitejo chico           Charadrius dubius

Local vagrant.

One was at Western Beach on February 19^th. Second record (C. Fortuna).

Little Ringed Plover (C. Fortuna)

 

 

Whimbrel           Zarapito trinador           Numenius phaeopus

Regular migrant and winter.

Single birds, probably the same overwintering individual, were reported on 11 dates between January 13^th and March 31^st, frequenting the Europa Point foreshore, Camp Bay and Little Bay. In addition, two flew west past Europa Point on February 28^th and one was at Sandy Bay on April 2^nd.

Whimbrel at Europa Point (R. Perez)

 

There were five records during the second half of the year, between July 22^nd and November 19^th, all of single birds except on the first date when three were seen flying west past Europa Point.

 

Turnstone           Vuelvepiedras común           Arenaria interpres

Regular, mainly winter.

Overwintering birds were present at the Europa Point foreshore, the southwestern shoreline or the Seven Sisters rocks at the South Mole until at least April 29^th. The largest count was of nine on the foreshore on January 29^th.

 

Returning birds were first seen at Europa Point on August 26^th but no more than two or three individuals were reported until mid November after which as many as 14 were present on the foreshore on November 26^th and 12 were there on December 22^nd.

 

Sanderling           Correlimos tridáctilo           Calidris alba

Regular, mainly winter

One was on Western Beach on January 12^th and 25^th.

 

Both Western and Eastern Beaches attracted birds during the second winter period. The earliest was one on Eastern Beach on September 23^rd but there were no further records until November 16^th, after which up to three were present on Western Beach. The largest count was of seven on Eastern Beach on December 17^th.

 

Common Sandpiper           Andarríos chico           Actitis hypoleucos

Regular migrant & winter.

There were reports on 17 dates between January 12^th and April 30^th, all of one or two presumed overwintering individuals that frequented the harbour and western shoreline south to Europa Point. One was at Eastern Beach on May 17^th.

 

During the second half of the year there were frequent reports from July 28^th onwards, from both the eastern and western shorelines. Most were of single birds or two together, notably the overwintering individuals present throughout November and December. Three at Governor’s Beach on July 29^th and five on the Europa Point foreshore the same day, as well as five in the harbour on October 28^th, may have been on passage.

 

Kittiwake            Gaviota tridáctila           Rissa tridactyla

Occasional: migrant and winter.

There were seven records of single birds. The first was an adult seen from the small boats marina in the harbour on January 8^th. An adult was seen from Europa Point on January 28^th. First-winter birds were seen from Rosia Bay on February 11^th and at Europa Point on February 12^th, 16^th, 21^st and 22^nd: the last of these spent some time on the cliff there. One was at Europa Point on May 1^st.

First year Kittiwake (R. Perez)

 

Sabine’s Gull           Gaviota de Sabine           Xema sabini

Local vagrant.

Two adults were feeding off Europa Point on February 15^th and a single adult was also there on November 12^th. Third and fourth records (R. Perez & N.B. Jensen; R. Perez): the two earlier records were in November 1987 and August 1992.

Sabine's Gull at Europa Point (R. Perez)

 

 

Slender-billed Gull           Gaviota picofina           Chroicocephalus genei

Occasional migrant.

Three small groups were reported, all seen passing west at Europa Point. Three birds on June 11^th were followed by ten on June 12^th. Three were recorded on October 23^rd.

 

Black-headed Gull           Gaviota reidora           Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Common migrant and common in winter.

Flocks counted during the first winter period, chiefly the feeding gatherings at Europa Point varied considerably in size and seldom exceeded double figures. However, there were 110 there on January 28^th, 160 on February 21^st, 130 on February 22^nd and 140 on March 3^rd, these probably including migrants. The only other location frequented by loafing birds was the Western Runway, where there were 30 on January 12^th and 37 on February 19^th. Single birds on April 9^th and May 7^th were followed by a single adult, perhaps a non-breeder, on June 12^th, 17^th and 21^st.

 

Subsequently there were very few observations until late autumn; 35 birds in total on 11 dates between June 30^th and October 28^th, including six at Western Beach on the last date. The Europa Point flock was evident from November 7^th, when there were 36 birds there, and peaked at 78 birds on December 23^rd.

 

Little Gull           Gaviota enana           Hydrocoleus minutus

Occasional: migrant and winter.

A single adult was feeding off Europa Point on February 20^th and a first-winter bird was there the following day and on February 28^th. A first winter was also present there on December 16^th.

Little Gull at Europa Point (R. Perez)

 

Mediterranean Gull           Gaviota cabecinegra           Icthyaetus melanocephalus

Common: migrant and winter.

There were frequent observations from Europa Point during the first winter period. They totalled 290 birds, on dates up to March 3^rd. January counts were in single figures but February counts were larger, peaking at 77 birds on February 16^th. They were followed by a gathering there of at least 24 first-winter birds on April 2^nd.

 

An adult on June 17^th was followed by the usual westward summer movement of small groups: 62 birds were seen on nine dates between June 30^th and July 30^th, including 21 on July 5^th. The birds involved are chiefly summer-plumaged adults.

Adult Mediterranean Gull with worn plumage (C. Perez)

 

There was an almost total lack of records during the second winter period, which was unexpected but perhaps due to the persistence of westerly winds. Only one bird was recorded, an adult on October 4^th.

 

Audouin’s Gull           Gaviota de Audouin           Icthyaetus audouinii

Common migrant. Some remain in winter.

One or two birds were reported from Europa Point on 13 dates in January and February but 20 were seen in 70 minutes on February 21^st, these probably among migrants returning to their nesting colonies. None were seen in March and only nine in total were reported during April/May.

 

Westward movements seen later in the year totalled 488 birds, between June 11^th and October 23^rd. The great majority were between mid-July and mid- August, during which 409 were counted, at least 86 of which were juveniles. As usual, the counts were done during watches of one or two hours’ duration at Europa Point and were not a systematic census of the movements, which involve many more birds. The only subsequent observation was of one bird on November 25^th.

Second year Audouin's Gull heading west at Europa point in June (C. Perez)

 

Yellow-legged Gull           Gaviota patiamarilla           Larus michahellis

Common resident.

The ubiquitous resident population attracted considerable attention, particularly from the occupants of houses with gulls nesting on the roofs, but no records or counts were submitted.

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull           Gaviota sombría           Larus fuscus

Regular: migrant and winter.

Records were very sparse. They totalled just 11 birds during the first winter period, on eight dates between January 11^th and April 1^st.

 

Subsequent records were similarly scarce: six observations of single birds on six dates between June 19^th and December 23^rd.

 

An adult in summer plumage that was photographed flying west past Europa Point on February 15^th could possibly have been a Baltic Gull L. f. fuscus. This subspecies that has rarely been identified in the Western Mediterranean on account of its similarity to darker individuals of L. f. intermedius, which occurs commonly on the Spanish east coast. The bird in question showed a uniform black mantle and upperwings, with a mirror only on primary 10. At present only colour-ringed individuals are accepted as Baltic Gulls in Iberia but there are several such records, including from Málaga harbour (De Juana & Garcia 2015).

 Putative Baltic Gull (R. Perez)

 

Gull-billed Tern           Pagaza piconegra           Gelochelidon nilotica

Occasional: migrant.

There were four records of birds flying west past Europa Point: a single bird on April 30^th, two on June 12^th, three on June 21^st and two on July 30^th.

Gull-billed Tern (J. Bujega)

 

Lesser Crested Tern           Charrán bengalí           Thalasseus bengalensis

Occasional: migrant.

One seen at Camp Bay on February 18^th, at the Western Runway on February 19^th and at Little Bay on February 21^st may have been the apparently wintering individual reported in December 2022. Two at Europa Point on March 3^rd and one off the East side on March 6^th were still much earlier than the spring passage period of this species, which is in May.

Lesser Crested Tern (R. Perez)

 

In autumn single birds were seen in Camp Bay on October 25^th and in the harbour on October 28^th.

 

 

Sandwich Tern           Charrán patinegro           Thalasseus sandvicensis

Common: migrant and winter.

Three or four wintering individuals frequented the western coastline and the harbour until at least April 10^th. At Europa Point two on April 29^th, seven on May 29^th and one on June 11^th were the only subsequent records during the first half of the year.

 

The first returning birds reported were seven at Europa Point on October 23^rd, followed by three in Rosia Bay on October 26^th and 14 in the harbour on October 28^th. Overwintering bird numbers fluctuated but included eight at Little Bay on November 25^th, seven in the harbour on December 7^th and 11 in Rosia Bay on December 25^th.

 

Common Tern           Charrán común           Sterna hirundo

Scarce migrant.

Five were in Gibraltar Bay on September 15^th.

 

Great Skua           Págalo grande           Catharacta skua

Present all year. Common migrant.

Very few were reported. There were single birds off Europa Point on February 8^th, October 2^nd and October 13^th. Two were off Catalan Bay on October 21^st.

 

Arctic Skua           Págalo parasito           Stercorarius parasiticus

Scarce: mainly migrant.

Single birds were seen from Europa Point on October 23^rd and October 25^th.

 

Razorbill           Alca común           Alca torda

Common: winter and migrant.

Six were seen from Europa Point on January 1^st. What were probably some of the overwintering individuals that were present in late 2022 remained in inshore waters until at least mid-February, during which period there were frequent observations of up to four individuals, mainly from Rosia, Camp and Little Bays and Europa point. A moribund individual was on Sandy Bay beach on January 14^th. A total of 45, mainly small flocks of migrating birds, were seen from Europa Point on five dates between February 8^th and February 22^nd. One at Camp Bay on March 5^th was the last of the early year period.

Razorbill at Sandy Bay (J. Mesilio)

 

The first returning bird was seen off Europa Point on November 15^th and there were four off Camp Bay and a tideline corpse there, as well as one off the Western Beach, on November 16^th. Thereafter there were regular sightings of one or two birds that overwintered inshore off the southwestern coastline, particularly in Camp and Little Bays.

 

Puffin           Frailecillo atlántico           Fratercula arctica

Common migrant in Strait but rare inshore.

One off Europa Point on January 30^th was attacked and killed by a Yellow-legged Gull. Single birds were seen off Europa Point on February 8^th and 22^nd and nine were seen from the Point on April 2^nd, followed by five there on April 29^th. A westbound migrating flock of 40 was a mile off the eastern seaboard on March 22^nd.

Puffins off the east side of the Rock (R. Perez)

 

A single bird was on the sea far off the east side on June 27^th and it or another was found thereabouts on July 6^th.

 

Scopoli’s Shearwater           Pardela cenicienta mediterránea           Calonectris diomedea

Regular, mainly on passage.

Only two records were submitted, both during the spring return period: 20 birds on February 16^th and four on February 19^th. However, 50 Calonectris shearwaters seen from Europa Point on November 8^th are likely to have been this species.

 

Cory’s Shearwater            Pardela cenicienta canaria           Calonectris borealis

Common March–October. Most numerous in summer.

The first observation was not until May 14^th when one was seen from Europa Point. Small numbers, up to 30 per watch period of around two hours, were present offshore from the Point from late May until the end of July. Numbers built up as usual from mid-August and peaked during September to early October, when there were counts of up to 500 off the Point in attendance on flying fish shoals driven to flight by gatherings of dolphins and Bluefin Tuna, a spectacular regular occurrence in recent years. Up to 30 remained in the area until mid-October, two on October 24^th being the last observed.

 

Balearic Shearwater           Pardela balear           Puffinus mauretanicus   

All year, especially summer. Migrant. All year, especially summer. Migrant.

Early year observations totalled 675 birds, on eight dates between January 1^st and February 21^st, including 350 birds in one hour on the last date. There were no further records until May 27^th, when 325 were seen, the second largest count of the year, followed by 70 on May 29^th and 40 on May 30^th. Thereafter there were mainly small numbers, totalling 165 birds, reported on 19 dates between June 11^th and October 24^th. The only later observation was of 13 birds on December 17^th. All observations were incidental since no systematic counting of this or any other seabirds was conducted. All observations were from Europa Point.

 

Black Stork           Cigüeña negra           Ciconia nigra

Common migrant.

Spring migrants totalled 211, on 11 scattered dates between February 25^th and May 9^th. They included a flock of 86 among 104 birds on February 27^th, 45 on March 13^th, 23 on April 14^th and 22 on April 29^th.

 

Southbound birds were only seen on four dates and comprised 22 on September 12^th, five on September 22^nd, one on September 27^th and one on the late date of November 6^th.

 

White Stork           Cigüeña blanca           Ciconia ciconia

Common migrant, but most bypass Gibraltar to the west.

Northbound birds were observed on January 17^th: 20 birds, and then on four dates in March: 390 birds, including 339 on March 31^st. There were also 100 birds that arrived on November 3^rd and 100 again on December 1^st. November/December records involve flocks returning from Africa after the western sub-Saharan rainy season but the November 3^rd birds were seen flying south over Jews’ Gate.

 

A record of 100 on August 27^th was exceptional locally for the southbound passage period. They were followed by one bird on September 22^nd and two on September 26^th.

 

Northern Gannet           Alcatraz atlántico           Morus bassanus 

Present all year, especially winter and passage.

There were reports, mainly from Europa Point, every month but most counts were in single figures. Larger counts included 24 on January 20^th, 86 on March 11^th, 44 immature birds on June 21^st, 54 on October 23^rd, 40 on November 7^th and 30 on December 1^st.

 

Great Cormorant           Cormorán grande           Phalacrocorax carbo

Regular: migrant and winter.

The small overwintering population, some 10–15 birds, remained until early March, mainly frequenting the western coastline and Europa Point. A gathering of 27 on the Western Runway on January 31^st was noteworthy. Northward passage was evident from mid-March. There were 213 reported flying north, on six dates between March 12^th and April 9^th, including 122 on March 26^th. One was over Europort on May 24^th.

Gathering of Cormorants at the western end of the airfield (J. Sanchez)

 

The first returning birds were two seen over the town on September 29^th. Small numbers were present from mid-October until the end of the year, larger counts mainly coming from the Western Beach/runway area, where there were ten on October 28^th, eight on November 16^th and eight again on December 7^th. The habitual loafing ground at Little Bay attracted no more than one or two birds during this period. In contrast, a new cliff roost near Governor’s Beach on December 29^th held 29 birds.

 

European Shag           Cormorán moñudo           Gulosus aristotelis

Resident.

Individuals from the small resident population at Governor’s Beach could frequently be seen rounding Europa Point as well as fishing in the Bay. The largest gatherings were at the cormorant loafing ground on the cliffs south of Little Bay, where there were 14 on September 3^rd and 15, including four juveniles, on September 29^th. There were 12 on the Seven Sisters rocks off the South Mole on October 14^th and eight there on November 26^th.

 

Glossy Ibis           Morito común           Plegadis falcinellus

Occasional migrant.

There were only three records of this species prior to 2015 but since then it has occurred annually except for 2019. In 2023 there were four flocks recorded: 15 birds flying north on June 11^th, five also north on June 24^th, 16 flying south on August 27^th and eight west on October 23^rd. The August flock followed the east coast. The other observations were from Europa Point.

 

Glossy Ibises (C. Perez)

 

Black-crowned Night-heron           Martinete común           Nycticorax nycticorax

Occasional migrant.

One was at the Europa Walks area of Europa Flats on May 2^nd.

 

Cattle Egret           Garcilla bueyera           Bubulcus ibis

Occasional: migrant and in winter.

A flock of five flew south off Rosia Bay on April 4^th. One flying west past Europa Point on June 19^th was the only other observation.

Cattle Egret at Europa Point (C. Perez)

 

Grey Heron Garza real Ardea cinerea

Regular: migrant and in winter.

There were very few reports during the first winter period but one or two frequented the Rosia/Camp/Little Bay areas until at least February 20^th. One was at Western Beach on March 5^th and one was over the Rock on May 29^th.

 

Later in the year one was heard from Little Bay on July 1^st and one was at the airfield on August 28^th. Groups of six seen flying south along the East Side on September 1^st, five heading west at Europa Point on September 2^nd, two south over the North Mole on September 9^th and four over the Rock on September 12^th were probably southbound migrants. There were frequent reports of one or two birds between October 10^th and the end of the year from coastal locations all along the western shoreline, including the Western Runway, Western Beach, the harbour, Rosia Bay, Camp Bay, Little Bay and Europa Point. Probably these involved no more than three or four overwintering individuals in total. The eastern shoreline was not frequented and one at Sandy Bay on December 28^th was the only record from there.

 

Little Egret           Garceta común           Egretta garzetta

Occasional: migrant and in winter.

An overwintering individual frequented the harbour area until at least March 31^st. What may have been the same bird was also reported from Europa Point on January 1^st and Camp Bay on January 21^st.

Little Egret at Western beach (J. Sanchez)

 

Single birds were at Europa Point on August 19^th and September 16^th. From October 5^th until the end of the year one or two again frequented the harbour area and there were three at the Extension Jetty there on October 17^th.

 

Osprey           Águila pescadora           Pandion haliaetus

Regular migrant and occasional in winter.

The overwintering individual that frequented the Western Runway in December 2022 was only seen once in early 2023, on January 15^th. Northbound migrants totalled 53 birds, between March 7^th and May 14^th. Day counts were typically small but there was an exceptional arrival of 21 birds on April 10^th.

 

Southbound migrants totalling 17 birds were observed between August 17^th and October 24^th. Once again an individual that was wintering in the area spent some time in Gibraltar, visiting the Western Runway area and Eastern Beach on at least four dates between November 22^nd and December 24^th. The colour ring on this bird, blue with NSO in white letters, identified it as one of two chicks ringed at Loch Eye, Ross-shire, Scotland on July 10^th 2022.

 

Black-winged Kite           Elanio común           Elanus caeruleus

Occasional: migrant.

Single birds were seen flying north on April 22^nd and May 15^th. Eighth and ninth records (R. Perez, C. Perez). Six of the seven previous records have been of spring migrants, all of them in April or the first half of May except for one March arrival.

Black-winged Kite (R. Perez)

 

Egyptian Vulture           Alimoche común           Neophron percnopterus

Regular migrant.

Spring migrants totalled 103, on scattered dates between February 25^th and May 15^th, as well as a first-summer bird on June 19^th. A count of 45 on February 27^th is noteworthy.

 

Just 11 were seen during the southbound passage, again on scattered dates, between August 27^th and October 15^th.

 

Honey Buzzard           Abejero europeo           Pernis apivorus

Common migrant.

Spring migrants totalled 4,225 birds, a very modest number indicating that most of the passage occurred elsewhere. The earliest seen were four on April 21^st. Nearly all the observed birds (4,197; 99.3%) passed between April 29^th and May 15^th. Thereafter there were only a few stragglers in late May and through June, the last of these on June 30^th. The largest day-count was 1,069 birds, on May 7^th.

Honey Buzzard (C. Perez)

 

The observed southbound passage was also on an unspectacular scale. There were 5,796 birds, between August 18^th and September 26^th. The largest day-count was on September 11^th when 2,295 birds were seen, with 876 passing the following day.

 

 

Griffon Vulture           Buitre leonado           Gyps fulvus

Common migrant.

Spring migrants were much scarcer locally than usual and only totalled 79 birds, between March 31^st and June 21^st. The largest counts were of 31 on April 12^th and 15 on June 10^th. At least one crashed into the sea and drowned, not an unusual occurrence, especially when tired birds are mobbed by the local Yellow-legged Gulls and Peregrines.

Griffon Vulture (C. Perez)

 

Few visited the Rock in autumn, only 84 birds, including 47 on October 23^rd and 30 on November 10^th. In addition, one was over Windmill Hill on December 20^th.

 

Cinereous Vulture           Buitre negro           Aegypius monachus

Occasional: migrant.

One flew north with other migrating raptors on March 31^st.

 

Short-toed Snake-eagle           Culebrera europea           Circaetus gallicus

Common migrant. Occasional in winter.

There were 1,489 counted during the spring passage, which spanned an extended period as usual. The first bird was on February 23^rd and the last seen was on June 19^th. Most birds were seen between March 8^th and March 17^th, a period that falls within the peak arrivals of adults. However, unfavourable winds during the first week in March would inevitably have meant that many bypassed Gibraltar then. The largest day-count was 600 on March 8^th, with 105 on March 11^th and 116 on March 17^th being the only other three-figure counts.

 

A juvenile flying south over the Rock on July 21^st was a very early migrant. Only 87 more birds were reported, between August 15^th and November 5^th. Most of these accompanied Booted Eagles loitering over Gibraltar during easterlies before returning to Spain without attempting the Strait crossing. Single birds on November 11^th, November 25^th, December 9^th and December 26^th may well have been overwintering in the general area.

Short-toed Eagle over town (P. Rocca)

 

Greater Spotted Eagle *           Águila moteada           Clanga clanga

Vagrant.

One flew north past Jews' Gate om March 26^th.  Third record (M. Cutts & T. Finlayson).

Greater Spotted Eagle in heavy moult (M.Cutts)

 

Booted Eagle           Águila calzada           Hieraaetus pennatus

Common migrant. Occasional in winter.

Spring migrants totalled 2,430 birds, the second-highest local spring count on record (there were 2,640 in spring 2013). They were reported between March 8^th and June 21^st. Noteworthy day counts included 541 on March 31^st, 389 on April 1^st and 335 on April 11^th.

 

Three seen over the northern end of the Rock on July 11^th may have been late northbound migrants. However, one was hunting over Windmill Hill the same day and one or two apparently over-summering individuals were reported at intervals from the same area throughout the rest of July and up to at least mid-August. Such over-summering was also seen in 2022 (GBR 22:27).

 

Southbound migrants were reported from mid-August until November 1^st, chiefly between mid-September and mid-October. There were an estimated 600 observed on September 25^th and seasonal sightings totalled over 3,000 birds. As usual, the great majority were milling over the Rock during easterlies and were returning to and from the hinterland repeatedly, making it impossible to count the number of different individuals involved. One was over the town on December 29^th.

 

Spanish Imperial Eagle           Águila imperial ibérica           Aquila adalberti

Occasional.

Two juveniles visited the Rock on September 11^th. One of them spent some time sitting on at aerial at Rock Gun.

 

Bonelli’s Eagle           Águila perdicera           Aquila fasciata

Occasional.

A juvenile flew south along the crest of the Rock on October 1^st. It may or may not have been a captive-bred individual that was released locally on July 15^th.

Juvenile Bonelli's Eagle, one of two captive bred birds released into the wild (T. Finlayson)

 

 

Sparrowhawk           Gavilán común           Accipiter nisus

Common migrant.

Single birds on January 8^th and February 26^th may have been the overwintering individual from 2022 but three on February 27^th may have been early migrants. Passage proper was noted from March 8^th until May 9^th, with 431 birds recorded, a modest total. The largest day-counts were of 46 on March 31^st and 39 on April 10^th. Four were ringed in March.

 

Southbound migrants totalled 285 birds, between August 27^th and November 16^th. Day-counts of 71 on September 21^st and 70 on September 22^nd represented almost half of the birds recorded. At least one overwintering bird was reported from late September until the end of the year.

 

Marsh Harrier           Aguilucho lagunero           Circus aeruginosus

Common migrant.

There were 156 in spring between February 23^rd and May 15^th. Most arrived between mid-March and mid-April, these including day-counts of 35 on March 13^th and 22 the following day.

 

Southbound birds totalled 84, between August 27^th and October 15^th. A day-count of 50 on September 20^th is noteworthy, especially since they were all seen in just one hour, between 16.30 and 17.30 hrs.

 

Hen Harrier           Aguilucho pálido           Circus cyaneus

Scarce migrant.

Three were seen in spring: on March 24^th, April 12^th and April 29^th. There was one southbound on August 26^th.

 

Montagu’s Harrier           Aguilucho cenizo           Circus pygargus

Common migrant.

Although harriers are never really numerous at the Strait the numbers seen at Gibraltar during both seasons were very low, perhaps reflecting the ongoing population decline of this species in the Iberian Peninsula. In spring there were just 27 seen, between March 10^th and April 29^th.

 

Southbound migrants were even fewer: 17 birds between August 29^th and September 21^st. They were noticeably lacking among the very large movements of Honey-buzzards and, especially, Black Kites that occurred this year, among which groups of Montagu’s Harriers used to be seen frequently in past decades.

 

Red Kite           Milano real           Milvus milvus

Occasional: migrant.

Only one was recorded, on September 15^th.

 

Black Kite           Milano negro           Milvus migrans

Common migrant.

Very large numbers were recorded on spring passage, despite there being long periods of easterlies during which none crossed at Gibraltar. Counts totalled 38,694 birds, the second-largest spring total on record. Passage was seen between February 26^th and June 19^th but was most spectacular during the early part of the season, when Iberian breeders return to the Peninsula. A count of 6,000 on February 27^th was without precedent for such an early date. Even more spectacular movements were seen in March, including 8,850 on March 13^th followed by 6,250 the next day. Four-figure counts were made on an additional seven dates (see Appendix 1).

Black Kite (C. Finlayson)

 

Movements on a similar scale were also observed during the return passage period. Only estimated counts were made on a number of dates but it is evident that the numbers that passed over Gibraltar were of the order of 40,000 birds. Passage proper was noted from mid-July and peaked during late July and the first few days of August (see Appendix 2). Very few were seen during September, when easterlies predominated, the last being two on September 27^th. The 2023 movements of southbound Black Kites were on an unprecedented scale locally but reflect the spectacular increase in the populations that use the Strait flyway since the start of the century.

 

Long-legged Buzzard           Busardo moro           Buteo rufinus

Occasional. Has wintered.

One was seen on May 9^th and what may have been the same individual was hunting over Middle Hill on May 11^th and over the Eastern Slopes on May 16^th. There was again one hunting over the Upper Rock on September 12^th.

 

Common Buzzard           Busardo ratonero           Buteo buteo

Scarce: migrant and winter.

Just five were observed on spring passage: single birds on March 11^th, March 13^th and April 10^th, and two on March 24^th.

 

There were nine observations of single birds later in the year. One was on September 1^st but the rest were seen between November 3^rd and December 29^th and may have included local or wintering individuals.

 

Little Owl           Mochuelo europeo           Athene noctua

Scarce resident.

Single pairs were present at Catalan Bay and Sandy Bay, the first of which fledged two young. An apparently unpaired bird frequented the lower North Face.

 

One was at Europa Point on April 2^nd. One was heard calling above Catalan Bay on October 7^th, November 30^th and December 12^th. A juvenile was ringed on September 19^th.

 

Scops Owl           Autillo europeo           Otus scops

Common migrant. Has bred.

Single birds were reported from the Dockyard Area on March 8^th, near The Mount on March 29^th and in the town on April 18^th, the last of these being discovered inside a house.

 

Spotlighting on Upper Rock roads at night found four on October 7^th and five on October 8^th. One was on a rooftop in Naval Hospital Road on October 25^th. Birds ringed totalled 15, between September 12^th and October 14^th: ten of them were juveniles.

 

Tawny Owl           Cárabo común           Strix aluco

Regular: mainly winter.

Reportedly present in the Nature Reserve all year but few specific records were submitted. One was seen or heard on seven nights between September 20^th and December 29^th in the vicinity of The Mount Gardens, Jews’ Gate and St Michael’s Cave.

 

Eagle Owl           Búho reál           Bubo bubo 

Scarce resident.

Reportedly present in the Nature Reserve all year but few specific records were submitted. One was reported from the Windmill Hill area on December 11^th and 12^th and two were seen in the Nature Reserve on December 25^th. The latter sighting provided welcome confirmation that more than one individual was present in Gibraltar, after over a decade when only the presence of a single bird could be confirmed.

 

Hoopoe           Abubilla           Upupa epops

Common migrant.

There were 16 sight-records between February 14^th and March 23^rd, including four on Windmill Hill on March 8^th. A late bird at the top cable-car station on May 2^nd was followed by an even more unseasonal bird at Europa Advance Road on June 29^th. Seven were ringed between February 13^th and March 26^th.

Hoopoe at North Front Cemetery (C. Fortuna)

 

Southbound migrants seen totalled up to 40, between July 22^nd and September 12^th. At least 25 were seen in the North Front cemetery, where the same birds may have lingered for several days: there were five there on August 7^th. Most other sightings were within the Nature Reserve. One was ringed on August 31^st.

 

Common Kingfisher           Martín pescador común           Alcedo atthis

Regular but scarce migrant and in winter.

One in the harbour on March 14^th was the only report during the first half of the year, despite the presence of at least one overwintering individual in December 2022.

 

One was again in the harbour on August 22^nd after which there were no further sightings until October 16^th, when one was on the Europort rocks. At least one bird remained in the harbour area or Rosia Bay from then until the end of the year, although two were seen together at Western Beach on October 28^th.

 

European Bee-eater           Abejaruco europeo           Merops apiaster

Common migrant.

Spring migrants were reported on seven dates between March 25^th and April 29^th. Migrating flocks were heard on four of these dates but there were sightings of 23 at Spur Battery on March 26^th and 20 at Jews’ Gate on April 4^th, as well as single birds at Jews’ Gate on April 2^nd and May 13^th.

 

Southbound birds were seen on just four dates: 180 birds on August 27^th. 150 on September 12^th, 65 on September 15^th and 30 on September 21^st. Eight birds, four adults and four juveniles, were ringed on September 15^th.

 

Wryneck           Torececuello común           Jynx torquilla

Regular but scarce migrant. Occasional in winter.

One was in the Botanic Gardens on April 6^th.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker           Pico picapinos           Dendrocopos major

Local vagrant.

A juvenile on one of the very few trees in the North Front cemetery on August 14^th was only the second local record (P. Rocca). The first record was on August 12^th 1977, when one flew over the airfield and Princess Caroline’s Battery towards the Governor’s Lookout pines.

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker (P. Rocca)

 

Lesser Kestrel           Cernícalo primilla           Falco naumanni

Regular migrant. Recently extinct breeder.

Spring migrants totalled just 11 birds, on six dates between March 11^th and April 22^nd.

 

Southbound birds totalled 19, on six dates between July 8^th and September 22^nd.

 

Common Kestrel            Cernícalo vulgar           Falco tinnunculus

Resident. Common migrant.

Local birds were conspicuous generally throughout the year, favouring the Nature Reserve, Windmill Hill and Europa Flats, the North Front cemetery and the eastern sand slopes. Five breeding pairs were located hatching 15 young between them. Some sightings may have involved migrants but these are difficult to distinguish from residents. However, 14 seen from Europa Point on five dates between July 8^th and July 30^th included at least some individuals flying north after arriving from the Strait, probably post-breeding dispersers from Morocco.

 

Eleonora’s Falcon           Halcón de Eleonora           Falco eleonorae

Regular but scarce migrant, especially in late summer and autumn.

One was over the Rock on April 30^th, an early date for this species. There were a further five records, involving six birds, between July 8^th and August 27^th.

 

Hobby            Alcotán           Falco subbuteo

Regular but scarce migrant.

All records were of northbound migrants in spring. They totalled 23 birds, on 12 dates between March 24^th and June 12^th, including six on April 15^th.

Hobby (R. Perez)

 

Lanner Falcon*           Halcón borní           Falco biarmicus

Regular but scarce migrant.

A juvenile was seen flying north on July 25^th, a typical date for post-breeding dispersers from Morocco.

 

Peregrine Falcon           Halcón peregrino           Falco peregrinus

Resident. Some migrants occur.

At least four pairs were located, hatching ten young in total. Eight individuals were seen during the winter bird count on January 21^st.

Peregrine with prey (R. Perez)

 

Woodchat Shrike           Alcaudón común           Lanius senator

Common migrant. Has bred.

Single birds were in the North Front cemetery and in the Nature Reserve on March 2^nd. A further 31 spring migrants were reported from open locations on ten dates between March 9^th and April 29^th. They included six on Windmill Hill on April 26^th. Birds ringed totalled 11, all in spring between March 10^th and April 28^th.

Woodchat Shrike with an Iberian Wall Lizard at North Front Cemetery (T. Finlayson)

 

Only seven were seen later in the year, on five dates between August 6^th and August 28^th. At least five of these were juveniles.

 

Golden Oriole           Oropéndola           Oriolus oriolus

Scarce migrant.

A female was at Jews’ Gate on June 3^rd. Two were in the same area on September 9^th and a female was ringed there on September 10^th.

 

Red-billed Chough           Chova piquirroja           Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

Local vagrant.

One was seen from Jews’ Gate on October 28^th and two were seen from the Mediterranean Steps the following day. Third and fourth records (M. Ashman).

 

Jackdaw           Grajilla           Corvus monedula

Scarce resident.

Four were at the Moorish Castle, where nesting was suspected in 2022, on February 6^th. At least two or three remained until the end of the year, being reported chiefly from the Moorish Castle area, where one was carrying nesting material on March 4^th. There were occasional sightings also from Jews’ Gate, Casemates and the harbour area. One was sharing the food provided for chickens in their run at Landport Ditch on October 1^st.

 

 

Raven           Cuervo           Corvus corax

Resident.

The resident pair was present all year and nested on the eastern cliffs. They fledged at least three young, two of which were first reported with their parents on May 13^th. Three young were with the adults from June 13^th until the end of August. This was the first successful nesting in Gibraltar for several decades.

 

Blue Tit           Herrerillo común           Cyanistes caeruleus

Common resident.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 93 birds, comprising 55 on the Upper Rock and the remainder in parks and gardens in the town and south district. During the year there were also reports of one or two birds from outlying areas including Windmill Hill, the East Side and even the long fig tree alongside the Seven Sisters rocks at the South Mole: where one was seen on November 26^th. Birds ringed totalled 34, all but two of them during the second half of the year.

 

Great Tit           Carbonero común           Parus major

Scarce resident.

There were three on the Upper Rock and single birds in The Convent garden and at Camp Bay during the winter bird count on January 21^st. There were widespread reports during the year of one or two birds, as well as of four in The Convent garden on June 3^rd. Nearly all other sightings were from the Nature Reserve or in South District gardens. Three juveniles were ringed in autumn, on August 28^th, September 12^th and October 2^nd.

 

Woodlark           Alondra totovía           Lululla arborea

Occasional: migrant.

One record: two were seen from Princess Caroline’s Battery on September 2^nd.

 

Thekla’s Lark           Cogujada montesina           Galerida theklae

Occasional in winter.

Two were seen along the border fence on September 10^th.

 

Crested Lark           Cogujada común           Galerida cristata

Occasional in winter.

One was by the border fence on May 5^th and there were two there on May 29^th.

 

One was at same site on September 7^th. Three were on the Western Runway on November 12^th and two were there on November 18^th, followed by a single bird on December 24^th.

 

Greater Short-toed Lark           Terrera común           Calandrella brachydactyla

Occasional: migrant.

One record: four flying south at the cable-car top station on September 12^th.

 

Sand Martin           Avión zapador           Riparia riparia

Regular but very scarce migrant.

There were only two sight records of this unaccountably locally-scarce species: one bird on March 7^th at Europa Point and two over the Rock on September 20^th.

In addition, the ringers captured an extraordinarily late juvenile on November 24^th.

Sand Martin; first ringing record (R. Geary)

 

Crag Martin           Avión roquero           Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Common: migrant & winter.

The overwintering population at the Governor’s Beach caves was in nightly residence as usual. The Harbour Views apartment block roosts first reported in 2022 had declined from 200 on December 4^th 2022 to just 20 birds on January 12^th 2023. The last birds of the season were three seen over the Rock on March 11^th. Single birds were ringed on February 10^th and 20^th.

 

Five birds over the Nature Reserve on September 28^th were the first returners seen. By October 1^st there were 15 over Jews’ Gate, after which the roosting population built up rapidly. Birds ringed in autumn totalled 13, between October 28^th and November 18^th. The Governor’s Beach cave roost was poorly frequented during November–December: the largest reported count was only 1,200 birds.

 

Barn Swallow            Golondrina común           Hirundo rustica

Common migrant. Formerly bred.

The earliest spring migrants reported were four on February 22^nd, a late date for a first spring sighting locally. Migrants were frequently reported thereafter, generally in small groups, but no systematic monitoring of migrant hirundines is attempted. Those counted, chiefly from Jews’ Gate observatory, 369 totalled birds, between February 22^nd and the end of May, an insignificant number. A more sizable movement occurred on March, when a steady passage was reported. One was ringed on March 20^th.

 

A total of 26 birds was reported from Europa Point on seven dates between June 12^th and August 8^th. Some may have been late northbound migrants but these observations fall within the period when early-brood juveniles are sometimes reported heading south.

 

Southbound migrants were noted between August 26^th and October 28^th, a total of 550 being counted from the Nature Reserve and the top cable-car station during this period. There were 15 ringed between September 14^th and October 26^th.

 

Red-rumped Swallow           Golondrina dáurica           Cecropis daurica

Common migrant.

Only a few were reported on spring passage, 28 birds in total on ten dates between February 22^nd and May 7^th.

 

One was at the airport on October 5^th. Two were seen from O’Hara’s Battery on October 28^th and there were again two there on November 11^th. Single birds were with Crag Martins seen from Jews’ Gate on November 23^rd and December 23^rd. There were 30 birds ringed, mainly by employing tape-lures, between October 27^th and November 6^th, except for a late bird caught on November 23^rd.

 

House Martin           Avión común           Delichon urbicum

Common migrant. Scarce summer resident.

Very few were reported on passage, just 39 birds in total on 12 dates between January 18^th and May 15^th. In addition, steady passage was noted on March 8^th. Most observations were from Jews’ Gate. Several pairs nested on buildings adjacent to the border but this small population was not monitored.

 

There were only two reports later in the year: a single bird at Europa Point on September 3^rd and three over O’Hara’s Battery on November 11^th.

 

Long-tailed Tit           Mito común           Aegithalos caudatus

Occasional.

Two were in the Nature Reserve along Engineer Road on January 21^st and three were there on January 26^th. One was at Tovey Cottage on March 31^st and a single bird was in the Botanic Gardens on April 1^st.

 

There were no further sightings until August 21^st, when three were seen at the northern end of the Nature reserve. Two were along Signal Station road on September 8^th, followed by three there on September 20^th and four at the same location on September 21^st. At least one calling bird was heard from Queen’s Road on November 21^st. One that was retrapped at Jews’ Gate on November 17^th had been ringed there on November 7^th 2022.

 

Wood Warbler           Mosquitero silbador           Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Occasional: migrant.

Five were ringed, on four dates between April 7^th and April 26^th.

Wood Warbler (C. Perez)

 

Western Bonelli’s Warbler           Mosquitero papialbo            Phylloscopus bonelli

Common migrant.

Sight records totalled just six birds, on four dates between March 23^rd and April 28^th. Nevertheless, ringers captured 116 birds in spring, between March 16^th and April 29^th.

 

There were two at the former PSA Plant Nursery in the Nature Reserve on July 9^th and single birds were at the same location as well as at O’Hara’s Battery on July 30^th. These July records may have involved late migrants but nesting in the Nature Reserve has been suspected in the past.

 

One was at Governor’s Lookout on September 4^th. Only three were ringed during the southbound passage period: on August 20^th, August 21^st and September 20^th.

 

Yellow-browed Warbler           Mosquitero Bilistado           Phylloscopus inornatus

Rare migrant. Has wintered.

One was ringed on November 9^th. Another was seen along Humphrey's Estate on November 12^th. 

 

 

Pallas’s Leaf-warbler *           Mosquitero de Pallas           Phylloscopus proregulus

Vagrant.

One was ringed on April 27^th. Second record (C. Twichen, J. Yeoman). the previous record was a bird observed but not caught, at Jews’ Gate on November 3^rd 1996.

Pallas's Warbler (J. Yeoman)

 

Willow Warbler           Mosquitero musical           Phylloscopus trochilus

Common migrant.

Sight records totalled 37 birds, on dates between March 22^nd and April 28^th. Most were seen on Windmill Hill, where there were eight on March 22^nd and 11 on April 28^th. Birds ringed in spring totalled 311, between March 14^th and May 15^th.

 

The few autumn sightings totalled eight birds, on seven dates between August 29^th and October 24^th. There were 61 ringed, between August 20^th and October 31^st except for a late bird on November 13^th.

 

Common Chiffchaff           Mosquitero común           Phylloscopus collybita

Common migrant and common in winter.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 101 widely distributed individuals. Overwintering birds were present until mid-March. The last sight records were on March 12^th and the late date of April 28^th. Birds ringed during the first winter period and spring totalled 70 up to April 19^th, followed by a very late capture on May 9^th.

 

Ringers captured early returning birds on September 12^th and 13^th, followed by a further 378 birds between September 25^th and the end of the year. Returning migrants and winterers were widespread from late October onwards.

 

 

Iberian Chiffchaff           Mosquitero ibérico           Phylloscopus ibericus

Common migrant.

Only five were seen in spring, between February 20^th and March 24^th. However, 29 were ringed between February 28^th and April 4^th.

 

Post-breeding sight records totalled 16 birds, between August 12^th and September 20^th. A further 15 were ringed, between August 20^th and September 15^th, followed by a late bird on October 22^nd.

 

Common Reed-warbler           Carricero común           Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Common migrant.

Single birds were in the North Front cemetery and at Vineyards on April 15^th. Another was in the cemetery on April 28^th. There were 12 ringed in spring, between April 26^th and May 13^th.

 

A further 32 birds were ringed in autumn, between August 20^th and October 11^th, followed by two late birds, on October 31^st and November 6^th.

 

Booted Warbler *           Zarcero escita           Iduna caligata

Vagrant.

A juvenile was caught and ringed at Jews’ Gate on October 2^nd. First record and only the fourth for the Iberian Peninsula (K. Palmer et al.). The other three were found on Dragonera, Balearic Islands, on September 24^th 1998; at Colunga, Asturias, on September 8^th 2004 and at Zahara de los Atunes, Cádiz, on September 13^th 2012.

Booted Warbler (M. Cutts)

 

Western Olivaceous Warbler           Zarcero pálido           Iduna opaca

Occasional: migrant.

Single birds were ringed on April 24^th, April 28^th and May 12^th.

 

Melodious Warbler           Zarcero políglota           Hippolais polyglotta

Common migrant.

Sight records in spring totalled 21 birds, on eight dates between April 16^th and May 27^th. They included six on Windmill Hill on April 26^th and five there on April 28^th. Birds ringed in spring totalled 87, between March 25^th and May 15^th.

 

Melodious Warbler on the east sand slopes (C. Fortuna)

 

Nine were seen during the southward passage, on eight dates between July 22^nd and September 20^th. Four of them were in the North Front cemetery which was also the location for an exceptionally late bird on November 14^th. Single birds were ringed on August 29^th and September 25^th.

 

Grasshopper Warbler           Buscarla pintoja           Locustella naevia

Occasional: migrant.

One was ringed on April 4^th.

 

Blackcap           Curruca capirotada           Sylvia atricapilla

Common: resident, migrant and winter.

Birds were present throughout the year in well-vegetated areas of the Nature Reserve and in the Botanic Gardens. The winter bird count on January 21^st found 333 birds, 239 of them on the Upper Rock and 84 in gardens. A few reported during both passage period from the North Front cemetery and from Windmill Hill are likely to have been migrants. None were recorded from the East Side, where vegetation is sparse. A count of 115 in the Botanic Gardens on November 6^th was noteworthy. Birds ringed totalled 1,943: 910 during the first half of the year and 1,033 during the second half.

 

Garden Warbler           Curruca mosquitera           Sylvia borin

Common migrant.

Very few sight records were made: single birds in the Botanic Gardens on April 21^st and on Windmill Hill on April 28^th. Birds ringed in spring totalled 90, between April 8^th and May 13^th.

 

One was at Princess Caroline’s Battery on September 10^th. Birds ringed in autumn totalled 86, between August 31^st and November 3^rd, followed by two exceptionally late captures, on November 16^th and November 30^th.

 

Orphean Warbler           Curruca mirlona           Sylvia hortensis

Common migrant.

Single birds were seen at Jews’ Gate on April 22^nd and on Windmill Hill on October 2^nd. Birds ringed in spring totalled 13, between March 29^th and May 12^th.

 

A further 21 were ringed between August 20^th and October 3^rd.

 

Sardinian Warbler           Curruca cabecinegra            Sylvia melanocephala

Common resident.

Widespread in all vegetated areas. The winter bird count on January 21^st found 203 birds; 121 of them on the Upper Rock and 37 on Windmill Hill. Windmill Hill held the largest concentrations reported and in spring these included 37 on March 12^th, 27 on April 9^th and again on April 26^th, 49 on April 28^th and 14 on May 3^rd. These fluctuations at the same site raise the possibility that some were migrants passing through.

 

Later in the year there were again some larger counts from Windmill Hill including 17 on August 28^th, 21 on September 14^th and 31 on October 2^nd. Birds ringed totalled 162, 48 during the first half of the year and 114 in the second half.

 

Subalpine Warbler           Curruca carrasqueña           Sylvia cantillans

Common migrant.

Spring sight records totalled eleven birds, between March 9^th and April 28^th. Reports came from the North Front cemetery, the Botanic Gardens and Windmill Hill, including three at the last site on April 26^th. Birds ringed in spring totalled 22: between March 8^th and May 1^st.

 

There were no autumn sight records but single birds were ringed on September 15^th, September 20^th and October 2^nd.

 

Common Whitethroat           Curruca zarcera           Sylvia communis

Common migrant.

Six were on Windmill Hill on April 28^th and there was one there on May 3^rd. Birds ringed in spring totalled 48, between March 6^th and May 13^th: all but six were caught in April.

 

Post-breeding sight records totalled six birds, on five dates between August 28^th and October 2^nd, chiefly from the North Front cemetery. Nine were ringed between August 28^th and October 10^th.

 

Dartford Warbler           Curruca rabilarga           Sylvia undata

Regular migrant. Occasional in winter.

There were six records of single birds between January 7^th and March 12^th, all from the Europa Point area, Windmill Hill and Little Bay. Two were at Europa Point on January 18^th. A few overwintering individuals may have been involved.

 

One was at Europa Point on December 17^th. One was ringed on October 13^th.

 

Firecrest           Reyezuelo listado            Regulus ignicapilla

Regular but scarce: migrant and winter.

Single birds were at Engineer Road on January 25^th and at Princess Caroline’s Battery on September 2^nd.

 

Wren           Chochín           Troglodytes troglodytes

Common resident.

Present at habitual locations, chiefly in the Nature Reserve. Four were on Windmill Hill on April 28^th. Single birds were ringed, on April 7^th and September 7^th.

 

Common Starling           Estornino pinto           Sturnus vulgaris

Common in some winters.

The only records were of one at Europa Walks on September 16^th and two by the airport on December 31^st.

 

Spotless Starling           Estornino negro           Sturnus unicolor

Common resident.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 19 birds, 11 of them in the frontier area, five on Windmill Hill, two at the Mediterranean Steps – an unusual location – and one in Commonwealth Park. Some 20–40 birds frequented Windmill Hill up to at least May 3^rd. There were again 32 there on August 14^th after which no more than 11 were present for the rest of the year. This species attracted very little attention but other records included seven at the Seven Sisters beach alongside the South Mole on October 14^th and six there on November 26^th, as well as ten on the Europa Point foreshore on December 22^nd. These shoreline records may have involved birds foraging for small crabs or other intertidal organisms, as has been previously reported locally (Perez & Bensusan 2018).

 

Song Thrush           Zorzal común           Turdus philomelos

Common: migrant and winter.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 24 birds, 12 of them on the Upper Rock, 11 on Windmill Hill and one in the North Front cemetery. Spring sight records totalled 25 birds on ten dates between March 12^th and April 28^th. Nearly all observations came from Windmill Hill, where vegetation is relatively sparse, and these included seven on March 22^nd and five the following day. Twenty were ringed between January 20^th and April 19^th.

 

Only eleven were observed in autumn, the earliest being in the Botanic Gardens on October 16^th. Other sightings up to the end of the year were chiefly in the Nature Reserve. A further 20 were ringed between October 13^th and November 20^th.

 

Mistle Thrush           Zorzal charlo           Turdus viscivorus

Occasional.

One was reported from the Old Naval Hospital on September 8^th.

 

Blackbird           Mirlo común            Turdus merula

Common resident.

Widespread throughout as usual. The winter bird count on January 21^st found 121 birds. Windmill Hill/Jacob’s ladder held some concentrations in spring that may have involved migrants: they included 21 on March 12^th, 19 on April 4^th, 23 on April 26^th and 31 on April 28^th. A nest with eggs was found in a Ficus tree at the airport on November 30^th. Several recently fledged juveniles were on Westview Promenade on March 15^th. In total, 65 were ringed during the year.

 

Spotted Flycatcher           Papamoscas gris           Muscicapa striata

Common migrant. Some breed.

An early migrant was at Montagu Gardens on April 16^th. The next sight record was from Commonwealth Park on May 11^th followed by two in the Botanic Gardens on June 6^th. Pairs went on to nest successfully at both these latter sites, juveniles being seen in the Botanic Gardens on July 18^th and at Commonwealth Park on July 28^th. Birds were also reported during the breeding season from Trafalgar cemetery and from the gardens of The Mount and The Convent, all known breeding sites where nesting was likely. Single birds were also noted at Couvreport Battery on June 17^th and on Signal Hill on July 9^th. Only ten were ringed in spring, between April 27^th and May 13^th.

 

Four seen in the North Front cemetery on August 10^th, two on Windmill Hill on August 15^th, one at Jews’ Gate on August 20^th and two in the north of the nature Reserve on August 21^st may have been migrants. There were seven further records, totalling eight birds, from the North Front cemetery between August 18^th and September 28^th. Late migrants were reported from Green Lane on October 15^th, and again from the North Front cemetery on October 18^th and October 21^st (two birds). Nine were ringed between September 7^th and October 9^th.

 

Robin           Petirrojo           Erithacus rubecula

Common: migrant and winter. Has bred.

Overwintering birds were present in their usual small numbers in vegetated areas. The winter bird count on January 21^st found 115 birds. Ringing during the first half of the year caught 61 birds, nearly all before mid-March but several later captures included one April 28^th.

 

A breeding season presence was reported from Commonwealth Park, the Botanic Gardens, the Trafalgar cemetery and Withams cemetery but all sightings were of single birds and once again no indication of nesting was observed.

 

Four at Green Lane on October 15^th were clearly returning migrants and the wintering population was again present until the end of the year. Birds ringed during this period totalled 279, nearly all from October 3^rd onwards but preceded by earlier captures of two adult birds: on August 29^th and September 25^th.

 

Bluethroat           Pechiazul           Luscinia svecica

Occasional migrant.

A juvenile male was ringed on September 15^th.

 

Nightingale           Ruiseñor común           Luscinia megarhynchos

Common migrant. Has bred.

Reported spring migrants totalled 15 birds, on eight dates between March 22^nd and April 28^th. Most records came from Windmill Hill. In addition, one was heard from Engineer Road on June 28^th. Birds ringed in spring totalled 44, between March 24^th and May 1^st.

 

There were 11 birds in total seen on eight dates between August 28^th and October 2^nd, chiefly within the Nature Reserve. A late individual was in the North Front cemetery on October 24^th. Birds ringed in autumn totalled 28, between August 21^st and October 10^th.

 

Pied Flycatcher           Papamoscas cerrojillo           Ficedula hypoleuca

Common migrant.

Only three were observed in spring: in the Botanic Gardens on April 16^th, in the harbour area on April 20^th and at Jews’ Gate on April 22^nd. Birds ringed in spring totalled 104, between March 25^th and May 13^th.

 

Sight records in autumn were much more frequent, totalling 28 birds on 17 dates between August 28^th and October 10^th. Eleven of these sightings were from the North Front cemetery, where some individuals may have lingered, as well as from the Nature Reserve. They included one in Commonwealth Park on October 2^nd. Very late individuals were seen in the North Front cemetery on November 7^th and in the Nature Reserve on November 16^th. Birds ringed in autumn totalled 41, between August 28^th and October 17^th.

 

Black Redstart           Colirrojo tizón           Phoenicurus ochruros

Common: migrant and winter.

Wintering birds were widespread as usual. The winter bird count on January 21^st found 144 birds. A count of 15 on Windmill Hill on March 12^th may have included migrants. The last observation in spring was of two birds in the North Front cemetery on April 6^th. Birds ringed during the first half of the year totalled 36, the last of these on March 25^th.

 

One at the top cable-car station on October 9^th was the first autumn observation, after which passage birds and the wintering population became widespread. Sight records included ten along the East Side on November 26^th and 17 on Windmill Hill on December 18^th. There were 159 ringed in autumn and during the second winter period, the earliest of these on October 9^th.

 

Common Redstart           Colirrojo real           Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Common migrant.

Spring observations totalled 24 birds, on ten dates between March 17^th and April 28^th. Most records came from Windmill Hill, where there were four on March 22^nd and four again on April 28^th, and from the North Front cemetery, where there were five on April 18^th. These apart, there were single birds in Commonwealth Park on March 29^th and at Little Bay on March 30^th. Birds ringed in spring totalled 36, between March 26^th and May 12^th.

 

Returning migrants seen totalled 21 birds, on dates between August 20^th and October 5^th, all of them either in the North Front cemetery or in the Nature Reserve. Birds ringed in autumn totalled 48, between September 7^th and October 21^st.

 

Blue Rock-thrush           Roquero solitario           Monticola solitarius

Resident.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found ten individuals distributed between the Upper Rock, the East Side slopes, the North Front cemetery, Camp Bay and Windmill Hill. These same locations, as well as Europa Point and foreshore, held birds during the year, particularly Windmill Hill, where there were nine on April 9^th, seven on April 26^th and eight on October 2^nd. Sightings elsewhere were most often of single birds. One at the Western Runway on January 15^th and another at Seven Sisters beach on November 26^th were at unexpected locations. Three were ringed.

 

Whinchat           Tarabilla norteña            Saxicola rubetra

Scarce migrant.

Spring sightings totalled seven birds, on four dates between April 6^th and April 28^th. Three of these were seen in the North Front cemetery and three on Windmill Hill. One was ringed on April 27^th.

 

Returning migrants totalled nine birds, on six dates between September 10^th and October 4^th. All but one were in the North Front cemetery.

 

Stonechat           Tarabilla común           Saxicola torquatus

Common: migrant and winter.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found nine birds: five in the Europa Point area, three on Windmill Hill and one on the East Side. One was at Europa Point on January 13^th, February 12^th and February 19^th. The only other spring observation reported was of 14 on Windmill Hill on March 12^th. Four were ringed between February 19^th and March 4^th.

 

The first returning birds observed were 19 on Windmill Hill on October 2^nd. Few sight records were made thereafter, nearly all of them from Windmill Hill, the North Front cemetery and Europa Point. Most sightings were of 1–3 individuals although there were six on Windmill Hill on October 26^th. Two were ringed on December 2^nd.

 

Northern Wheatear           Collalba gris           Oenanthe oenanthe

Common migrant.

Spring passage was sparse. There were 15 birds observed, on nine dates between March 8^th and April 26^th. All sightings came from the North Front cemetery, Europa Point and Windmill Hill. The largest counts were of only three birds: on March 12^th on Windmill Hill and April 22^nd at Europa Point.

Northern Wheatear (R. Perez)

 

Records were even scarcer in autumn, when nine birds were seen at similar open locations on seven dates between September 7^th and October 21^st. A late bird was on the Europa Point foreshore on November 6^th.

 

Black-eared Wheatear           Collalba rubia           Oenanthe hispanica

Scarce migrant.

There were four records, all in spring. On March 22^nd there were three on Windmill Hill, followed by one there on March 23^rd and four at the same site on April 9^th. One was in the North Front cemetery on April 9^th.

 

House Sparrow           Gorrión común            Passer domesticus

Common resident.

Widespread throughout the year but under-recorded. The winter bird count on January 21^st found 414 birds. Some counts were made in the course of other observations at well-visited sites. These included 53 in the North Front cemetery on February 16^th and 31 on Windmill Hill on April 26^th. Birds ringed totalled 24.

 

Sudan Golden Sparrow           Gorrión dorado          Passer luteus

Vagrant.

A male was seen and photographed in the North Front cemetery on July 10^th. It remained there until at least July 16^th. Second record (C. Fortuna, P. Rocca, T. Finlayson). Its arrival coincided with a southerly airflow bringing Saharan dust to the region.

Sudan Golden Sparrow at North Front Cemetery (T. Finlayson)

 

The first occurrence was a male that was in the Botanic Gardens from November 25^th to December 1^st 2003 (GBR 3: 38). The species is retained in Category D, as it is in mainland Spain, but it was elevated to Category A in the Canary Islands in 2023 (CR-SEO 2024), following several recent records there and northward range expansion in southern Morocco.

 

Yellow Wagtail           Lavandera boyera           Motacilla flava

Regular but scarce migrant.

The only spring migrants observed numbered six birds in total, on five dates between March 22^nd and May 7^th. Most were reported from Windmill Hill and Europa Point.

 

Autumn migrants were more frequent but still in small numbers. They totalled 50 birds, on 14 dates between August 26^th and October 1^st. Others were heard passing over Jews’ Gate on September 7^th, 8^th and 14^th. Sightings included 12 over the top cable-car station on September 12^th and 12 at Europa Walks on September 14^th.

 

Grey Wagtail           Lavandera cascadeña           Motacilla cinerea

Regular but scarce: migrant and winter. Has bred.

There were only four records, all late in the year and all from Rosia Bay and the southern dockyard area. Two were there on October 21^st and single birds were noted on November 25^th, December 2^nd and December 25^th.

 

White Wagtail           Lavandera blanca           Motacilla alba

Regular but scarce migrant. Regular winter. Has bred.

Few overwintering birds were reported early in the year. The winter bird count on January 21^st found eight birds, four of them in the Frontier area, two on Windmill Hill and single birds at Europa Point and in the North Front cemetery. Single birds were at Little Bay on March 30^th and at the North Front cemetery on February 16^th and March 5^th. There were also single birds at the air terminal on May 17^th and at Europa Point on June 3^rd.

 

Just 17 in total were observed later in the year, on eight dates between October 11^th and December 28^th. Most sightings were of single birds from coastal sites but there were four at Europa Point on October 23^rd.

 

A Pied Wagtail M. a. yarrellii was at Western Beach on five dates between November 22^nd and December 22^nd and was presumably wintering in the area.

 

Tawny Pipit           Bisbita campestre           Anthus campestris

Scarce migrant.

Single birds were reported from Windmill Hill on May 3^rd and from the top cable-car station on September 5^th.

 

Meadow Pipit           Bisbita pratense           Anthus pratensis

Common: migrant and winter.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 20 on Windmill Hill and five at Europa Point. Overwintering birds were present on Windmill Hill in variable numbers until at least March 23^rd: the largest site-count was 24 on March 12^th. Elsewhere six were on the Western Runway on January 15^th.

 

One was ringed on October 21^st. Otherwise the earliest autumn observation was of a single bird at Europa Point on October 23^rd. Numbers had built up on Windmill Hill to 19 by December 18^th.

 

Tree Pipit           Bisbita arbóreo           Anthus trivialis

Scarce migrant.

Single birds were reported from Windmill Hill on March 22^nd and Jews’ Gate on April 11^th. Two were over the Nature Reserve on April 29^th. Single birds were ringed on April 28^th and September 15^th.

 

Chaffinch           Pinzón vulgar           Fringilla coelebs

Common: migrant and winter.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 27 birds, 22 of them on the Upper Rock: there were also two in the frontier area, two in the Botanic Gardens and one near Windmill Hill. Five were in Witham’s cemetery on January 22^nd. Only four more were observed in spring, the latest a singing male at Princess Caroline’s Battery on May 6^th and 14^th. Eight were ringed between February 5^th and May 2^nd.

 

Four were in the northern Nature Reserve on August 27^th. Southward passage proper was evident on November 3^rd, when a succession of flocks passed. Small numbers were observed thereafter, chiefly in the Nature Reserve but also in the Botanic Gardens. The largest counts were of 11 birds in the Nature Reserve on both November 25^th and December 25^th. Birds ringed in autumn totalled 21, the earliest on October 26^th.

 

Brambling           Pinzón real           Fringilla montifringilla

Occasional: migrant.

One was on Windmill Hill on March 12^th. A juvenile was ringed on December 2^nd.

 

 

Bullfinch           Camachuelo común           Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Occasional: migrant.

Two females were ringed: an adult on April 12^th and a juvenile on November 10^th.

 

Greenfinch           Verderón común           Chloris chloris

Common: migrant and winter. Some resident.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found 52 birds, 31 of them on the Upper Rock and 14 in the Botanic Gardens and other nearby gardens: there were also seven in the Camp Bay area. Few observations were submitted during the first half of the year but up to nine were present on Windmill Hill between March 12^th and April 28^th. One was at Europa Point on June 17^th. Birds ringed during the first half of the year totalled 66.

 

Observations later in the year involved just 33 birds, on 14 dates between August 5^th and December 26^th. Records were from the Nature Reserve, Windmill Hill and the Botanic Gardens. A further 59 birds were ringed during the second half of the year.

 

Linnet           Pardillo común           Linaria cannabina

Common migrant.

Linnets have been locally scarce in recent years and 2023 was no exception. Just ten were reported in spring, nearly all from Windmill Hill, on five dates between March 20^th and April 2^nd.

 

Eight at Europa Point on October 23^rd were followed by two there on October 24^th, one at the same site on November 11^th and 18 seen from O’Hara’s Battery on November 11^th. Two juveniles were ringed on October 31^st.

 

Goldfinch           Jilguero común           Carduelis carduelis

Common: migrant and winter. Has bred.

The winter bird count on January 21^st found just eight birds, six of them on Windmill Hill and two on the Upper Rock. There were seven subsequent observations from Windmill Hill, where the largest counts were of 11 on March 12^th and 23 on April 10^th. There were also 18 seen from Jews’ Gate on April 10^th. One was ringed on April 1^st.

 

Three were at Europa Point on July 15^th, with one there on July 22^nd. One was on Windmill Hill on August 8^th. Subsequent records were on dates from October 21^st until the end of the year. They totalled some 190 individuals, seen mainly in the North Front cemetery, Windmill Hill and Europa Point. A succession of small flocks passed south over the Nature Reserve on November 5^th. There were 27 ringed in autumn, between November 6^th and December 3^rd.

 

Serin           Serín verdecillo           Serinus serinus

Common: migrant and winter. Has bred.

One was in the frontier area on January 12^th. The largest count of the entire year was of five birds, on Windmill Hill on April 28^th. Most records came from Europa Point where up to three birds were observed at intervals throughout the year, including the summer months, with four reported on July 8^th. The possibility of a nesting pair in the gardens in the Europa Area was suggested. Birds ringed during the first half of the year totalled 15, between February 12^th and May 1^st.

 

Serin ringed at the Observatory (M. Cutts)

 

No sight records were submitted later in the year but 84 were ringed between October 21^st and December 7^th.

 

Siskin           Jilguero lúgano           Spinus spinus

Regular in variable numbers: migrant & winter.

One was in the Botanic Gardens on January 27^th.

 

There was a notable presence during the second half of the year from October 24^th onwards. Sight records included 26 seen from Windmill Hill on October 26^th and 30 from Europa Point the same day. Observations elsewhere included small flocks seen from the Botanic Gardens on November 3^rd and over the Nature Reserve on November 5^th. There were 12 at Westview Promenade on November 13^th, three at Little Bay on November 25^th and four in the Nature Reserve on December 25^th. Birds ringed totalled a noteworthy 174, between October 26^th and December 30^th.

 

Corn Bunting           Escribano triguero           Emberiza calandra

Occasional: migrant and winter.

Three were on Windmill Hill on March 12^th and a single bird was seen there on five dates between March 22^nd and May 3^rd.

 

Ortolan Bunting           Escribano hortelano           Emberiza hortulana                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Occasional: migrant. 

One was ringed on April 24^th.

 

House Bunting           Escribano sahariano           Emberiza sahari                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Vagrant.  

A female arrived from seawards at Europa Point on March 13^th. It was still present in the area on March 14^th and 24^th. Fifth record (R. Perez, P. Rocca, R. Azopardi).

House Bunting at Europa Point (R. Perez)

 

 

References

 

CR-SEO. 2024. Observaciones de aves raras en España (Septiembre 2022 – Agosto 2023). Ardeola 71(1): 192.

 

De Juana, E. & Garcia, E. 2015. The Birds of the Iberian Peninsula. Helm, London.

 

Perez, C. & Bensusan, K. 2018. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor feeding on crabs in Gibraltar. Gibraltar Bird Report 18: 41–43.

 

 

CORRECTION

2022 Bird Report. Page 39. The text immediately beneath the Long-tailed Tit photograph refers to the Common Chiffchaff above.

 

 

CONTRIBUTORS TO BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR 2023

 

The Gibraltar Bird Report summarises records submitted by many people, listed below, whose contributions are gratefully acknowledged. Our apologies to anyone who may have been inadvertently omitted.

 

M. Albrycht, M. Ashman, R. Azopardi, K. Bensusan, S. Brunton, J. Bujega, A.J. Collins-Smith, S. Copsey, J. Cortes, M. Cutts, R. Deeney, R. Dickey, C. Durante, R. Espada, N. Ferrary, P. Ferrary, M. Figueras, C. Finlayson, T. Finlayson, A. Fortuna, C. Fortuna, E. Garcia, R. Geary, T. Hammond, L. Hawkins, Y. Henwood, N.B. Jessen, C. Lambsdell, W. McLaren, J. Mesilio, S. Monagahan, L. Moore, S. Morgan, A.R. Muñoz, S. Olivera, K. Palmer,  D. Parody, J. Perera, C. Perez, R. Perez, L. Phillips, A. Planet, C. Twitchen,  N. Ramos, H. Risso, R. Risso, K. Rivers, V. Robba, P. Rocca, C. Rugeroni,  D. Sanchez, J. Sanchez, A. Sheriff, M. Stoner, S. Villa, S. Warr, J. Yeoman, A. Yome and the Environmental Protection & Research Unit (EPRU).

 

APPENDIX 1 MINIMUM DAILY TOTALS OF SOARING RAPTORS SPRING 2023
See Systematic List for records of falcons and species represented by fewer than ten individuals
Date	Osprey	Egyptian Vulture	Honey Buzzard	Griffon Vulture	Short-toed Eagle	Booted Eagle	Sparrowhawk	Marsh Harrier	Montagu's Harrier	Black Kite	Day Totals
20-Feb										34	34
22-Feb										25	25
23-Feb					1			1		1	3
25-Feb		1								45	46
26-Feb		1			7		1			56	65
27-Feb		45			15		3	4		6000	6067
28-Feb					8					85	93
01-Mar					15					57	72
02-Mar								1			1
06-Mar										184	184
07-Mar	1							1		1000	1002
08-Mar					600	3	14	3		180	800
09-Mar					80	2	12	3		40	137
10-Mar					38	1	4		1	875	919
11-Mar	1	3			105	17	22	2		1250	1400
12-Mar						1	1	1		12	15
13-Mar	1	16			59	10	17	35	3	8850	8991
14-Mar	3	1			54	12	9	22	1	6250	6352
17-Mar		1			116	4	13	5		1885	2024
18-Mar					2	9	13	2		424	450
24-Mar	5				25	113	16	13	1	1145	1318
25-Mar	1						1				2
27-Mar						2					2
29-Mar										10	10
30-Mar	2				6	49	29	6	2	335	429
31-Mar		2		2	29	541	46	2	2	1123	1747
01-Apr	1				17	380	18	2	1	203	622
02-Apr	5				1	74	18	7		67	172
09-Apr							1				1
10-Apr	21	1			17	172	39	13	5	751	1019
11-Apr	2	1		1	53	335	34	10	1	662	1099
12-Apr	2	2		31	37	93	31	6	6	1210	1418
13-Apr				4	31	78	18	1		974	1106
14-Apr	1				27	76	15		2	576	697
15-Apr					2		2	2		25	31
16-Apr						1					1
17-Apr						1					1
18-Apr								1			1
19-Apr										48	48
20-Apr						16	10			240	266
21-Apr	2		4		2	62	17	1		432	520
22-Apr		1	5			14	2			90	112
23-Apr							1			7	8
24-Apr					1						1
29-Apr	3	18	253		64	131	14	11	2	2350	2846
30-Apr		2	134	7	29	15	1			378	566
04-May			780		2	3	2			286	1073
06-May		2	138	1	10	30					181
07-May			1069	4	9	47	2			45	1176
09-May	1	1	876		4	35	5			78	1000
13-May			7							25	32
14-May	1		408			1				62	472
15-May		3	532	10	18	66		1		229	859
19-May		1									1
24-May					1						1
27-May			9			3				1	13
28-May			5			3				5	13
29-May			1	1	1	5				28	36
01-Jun						1					1
05-Jun						1					1
06-Jun						1					1
10-Jun				15							15
11-Jun				1	2	4				12	19
12-Jun			3			3				3	9
19-Jun		1	1		1	9				41	53
20-Jun				1							1
21-Jun				1		6					7
TOTALS	53	103	4225	79	1489	2430	431	156	27	38694	47687
	Osprey	Egyptian Vulture	Honey Buzzard	Griffon Vulture	Short-toed Eagle	Booted Eagle	Sparrowhawk	Marsh Harrier	Montagu's Harrier	Black Kite	Day Totals

 

APPENDIX 2 MINIMUM DAILY TOTALS OF SOARING RAPTORS AUTUMN 2023
See Systematic List for records of falcons and species represented by fewer than ten individuals
Date	Osprey	Egyptian Vulture	Honey Buzzard	Griffon Vulture	Short-toed Eagle	Booted Eagle	Sparrowhawk	Marsh Harrier	Montagu's Harrier	Black Kite	Day Totals
12-Jul										2	2
15-Jul										2	2
19-Jul										220	220
20-Jul										8	8
21-Jul					1					3000	3001
22-Jul										290	290
24-Jul						1			1	10	12
25-Jul										2000	2000
26-Jul										3000	3000
28-Jul						1				2000	2001
30-Jul						1				5000	5001
31-Jul										4000	4000
01-Aug										5000	5000
02-Aug										5000	5000
03-Aug									1	4500	4501
04-Aug										1500	1500
06-Aug						1					1
08-Aug										15	15
11-Aug										602	602
12-Aug						1					1
13-Aug						1					1
15-Aug					4	6				12	22
16-Aug										300	300
17-Aug	1					1				20	22
18-Aug			5							200	205
19-Aug						1					1
20-Aug										1	1
21-Aug						1					1
22-Aug						20				60	80
23-Aug						5					5
24-Aug						20					20
26-Aug			4			2				1	7
27-Aug		3	667	1	1		5	1		1458	2136
29-Aug									1		1
03-Sep						1					1
04-Sep			5					1	1		7
05-Sep		1	665			3				8	677
07-Sep						1				6	7
08-Sep						19					19
09-Sep					1	10	5		1		17
11-Sep	2		2925		1	11	13	2	2	90	3046
12-Sep	1	2	876			6	15	5	6	42	953
14-Sep			4			4	2	1	1		12
15-Sep		1	7			300	3	3		4	318
16-Sep							4				4
17-Sep							3				3
18-Sep			11			6	11			10	38
19-Sep							1				1
20-Sep	4		242		3	17	10	50	2	7	335
21-Sep	1	1	197			8	71	8	1	21	308
22-Sep	2	1	150		3	88	70	3		2	319
25-Sep	3		33		2	600		4		41	683
26-Sep			5			300	8	3		3	319
27-Sep						250	5			2	257
28-Sep					4	300	5				309
29-Sep					15	350	9				374
30-Sep						100					100
01-Oct		1			12	300	10				323
02-Oct					12	80	2				94
03-Oct					4	20	2				26
04-Oct						20	5				25
05-Oct						60	7				67
06-Oct						10					10
07-Oct	1				18	200	3				222
08-Oct					1	48	1				50
10-Oct						25					25
13-Oct					4	15					19
14-Oct								2			2
15-Oct		1									1
23-Oct				47				1			48
24-Oct	1					2					3
25-Oct	1
28-Oct							1				1
31-Oct							1				1
01-Nov						2					2
03-Nov							1				1
04-Nov							5				5
05-Nov					1		1				2
06-Nov							1				1
10-Nov				30			3				33
11-Nov				3							3
12-Nov							1				1
16-Nov							1				1
TOTALS	17	11	5796	81	87	3218	285	84	17	38437	48032
Date	Osprey	Egyptian Vulture	Honey Buzzard	Griffon Vulture	Short-toed Eagle	Booted Eagle	Sparrowhawk	Marsh Harrier	Montagu's Harrier	Black Kite	Day Totals

 

 

 

RINGING REPORT 2023

 

Charles Perez

 

Gibraltar Ringing Group, GONHS, P.O. Box 843, Gibraltar

 

The Gibraltar Ringing Group, working under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornithology, is based at the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory at Jews’ Gate, on the Upper Rock. Ringing commenced on January 18^th and continued mainly on a daily basis until May 18^th. It resumed on August 19^th, continuing until December 7^th.

 

There were 98 ringing days in the first half of the year, 55 more than in 2022, and 80 ringing days in the second half, nine fewer than in 2022. Ringing took place from sunrise until early afternoon, occasionally continuing throughout the day when many migrants were present and weather conditions were appropriate.

 

In all, 5,740 birds were processed; 3,484 fewer than the record year of 2022. These comprised 5,168 new birds and 567 retraps, including 1,943 new Blackcaps: 3,306 fewer than the previous year. This was mainly due to a spate of persistent westerlies throughout most of October and early November that did not favour falls, not only of Blackcaps, but also of Robins and Black Redstarts. The spring total was 2,252 new birds, 1,437 more than in 2022, but the post-breeding period recorded only 2,916 new birds ringed, 5,341 fewer than the previous record year. There were eleven controls of foreign-ringed birds: single Blackcaps from Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland, two each from France and the United Kingdom, a Robin from Italy, a Pied Flycatcher from France and a Spanish Serin, and three recoveries with two Blackcaps from France and the United Kingdom, and a Crag Martin from Spain.

 

 

The start of the ringing campaign in late January produced 97 birds over seven ringing days. These were mainly resident and wintering birds, although Blackcaps (59 birds) were already on the move north, some giving substantial fat scores. Also trapped were two Common Chiffchaffs, five retrapped and two new Sardinian Warblers, two Song Thrushes, five Black Redstarts and eight Greenfinches.

 

February was dominated by easterlies until the 21^st, providing ideal conditions for ringing with 664 birds processed. There were obvious signs of birds heading north, these mainly Blackcaps, 456 of which were ringed, including 47 retraps. Other species consisted of two Crag Martins, 18 Common Chiffchaffs, 26 Black Redstarts, six Song Thrushes, 59 Robins (including 26 retraps), and three Stonechats. Resident birds were represented by eight retrapped Blue Tits, 35 Sardinian Warblers, 18 of which were retraps, and eight Blackbirds. Finch passage was evident with two Chaffinches, 26 Greenfinches and two Serins ringed. The first trans-Saharan migrants handled were single Hoopoes on the 13^th and the 20^th, and three Iberian Chiffchaffs ringed on the 28^th.

 

 

Just 624 birds were processed in 21 days in March, fewer than in some seasons, due to inclement weather and only nine days of easterlies. Blackcaps again dominated the catch with 261 new birds and 59 retraps as the last wintering birds headed north. The last Black Redstarts, five birds, left early in the month with a late bird on the 25^th. Common Chiffchaffs were spread throughout the month and 43 new birds were ringed, but Robins (29 new birds and 13 retraps) mainly left in the first week; only single birds remaining at the end of the month. Diurnal finch passage was observed from the Observatory, and a few were trapped early in March: three Chaffinches, ten Serins and 17 Greenfinches. Resident birds consisted of ten new and 16 retrap Sardinian Warblers, six Blackbirds and two Blue Tits, together with some resident Blackcaps of the subspecies heineken.

 

Trans-Saharan migrants were evident from mid-month but Iberian Chiffchaffs were numerous during the first week, tailing off to single-figure catches at the end of the month, with 25 birds in total. They were closely followed by the first Common Whitethroat on the 6^th, 17 Subalpine Warblers from the 8^th onwards and single Woodchat Shrikes on the 10^th and 26^th. The first Willow Warbler on the 14^th was followed by another 25 March birds, including 22 on the 29^th. A Bonelli’s Warbler on the 16^th, Nightingale on the 24^th, Pied Flycatcher on the 25^th and Common Redstart on the 26^th were the first arrivals of these species. Five Hoopoes were ringed, the first on the 10^th followed by three on the 21^st and another on the 26^th. A Melodious Warbler on the 25^th and Orphean Warbler on the 29^th were early migrants. A Barn Swallow on the 20^th and four Sparrowhawks from the 14^th, including two on the 27^th, added variety to the month.

 

Only 23 ringing days were possible during April, when 1,002 birds were processed. Easterlies accounted for 16 days spread out during the month except for a spate of nine days from the 1^st. A further 176 Blackcaps were ringed, 25 of them retraps, most of them trapped in the first half of the month. Late wintering birds comprised four Song Thrushes and five Robins. Resident birds were now initiating nesting and only a few were trapped: six retrap Blue Tits, 16 new and 32 retrap Sardinian Warblers, 14 Blackbirds and single Wrens on the 7^th and 27^th. Eight House Sparrows were trapped together at a gathering site in the Lathbury area and four more single birds were caught at Jews’ Gate late in the month, when it is usual for this species to forage in the Nature Reserve for insects for their chicks.

 

Trans-Saharan migrants predominated during April, scarcer species comprising single individuals of Grasshopper Warbler on the 4^th, Turtle Dove on the 14^th, Ortolan Bunting on the 24^th, Western Olivaceous Warblers on the 24^th and the 28^th, Common Reed Warbler on the 26^th, Spotted Flycatcher and Whinchat on the 27^th and Tree Pipit on the 28^th. Phylloscopus Warblers included an Iberian Chiffchaff trapped on the 4^th, most having returned to their breeding sites by that date. Common Chiffchaffs numbered only six birds, most having departed earlier in the month. Willow Warblers dominated the catch, with 208 spread out throughout the month. A Wood Warbler was trapped on the 7^th with four more at the end of the month. Sylvia Warblers were well represented. They included a further 42 Common Whitethroats and ten Orphean Warblers (including two each on the 4^th, 27^th and 28^th), but only four Subalpine Warblers: single birds on the 10^th and 28^th and two on the 20^th. Melodious Warblers were frequent from mid-month, with 56 birds, 17 of which were ringed on the 28^th. The 39 Nightingales ringed included ten on the 18^th, but only 26 Common Redstarts were ringed, including seven on the 18^th. The 18^th was also particularly good for Pied Flycatchers with 31 birds ringed, giving 84 for the month. Finch passage, occurring mainly during March, was negligible and only two Chaffinches, three Serins and a single Goldfinch were ringed. Greenfinches numbered 11 new birds and four retraps, and may have comprised resident birds. Nine Woodchat Shrikes were ringed: three on the 10^th and two each on the 19^th and 28^th. Among much rarer birds were a female Bullfinch on the 12^th (26^th record) and a Pallas’s Warbler (first ringing record and second Gibraltar record: the first, a sight record, was on 3^rd November 1996). Nocturnal birds (nightjars and Scops Owls) were notably absent during April.

Pallas's Warbler (C. Perez)

 

Ringing extended into May until the 18^th, when the session was closed. During this time 201 birds were processed, comprising 182 new birds and 19 retraps, the latter resident birds. There were nine days of easterlies with some rain and stormy weather on the 17^th and 18^th, but mainly clear skies and westerlies on the remaining days. Resident birds numbered 25: two Blue Tits, three Sardinian Warblers, ten Blackcaps, three Blackbirds and seven House Sparrows. Other captures included a Serin on the 1^st, a Chaffinch on the second and a late Common Chiffchaff on the 9^th. A trickle of trans-Saharan migrants continued, captures including individuals of Subalpine Warbler and Nightingale on the 1^st, Turtle Dove on the 2^nd, Red-necked Nightjar on the 3^rd, and Western Olivaceous Warbler and Common Redstart on the 12^th. Four species predominated during the period: 40 Willow Warblers, 31 Melodious Warblers, 26 Garden Warblers and 21 Pied Flycatchers. Common Reed Warblers and Spotted Flycatchers numbered nine birds each, with four Common Whitethroats and single Orphean Warblers on the 3^rd and 12^th completing the May count.

 

The ringing campaign resumed on August 19^th with a session from dawn until mid-morning, when the very hot conditions resulted in little bird activity and became unbearable for the ringer. Only ten ringing days were attempted until the end of the month. It was soon evident that some trans-Saharan migrants had begun to migrate south. These, together with the offspring of resident species, made up most of the catch. Eight Blackbirds (five juveniles and an adult), four juvenile Blue Tits, a juvenile Great Tit, two adult Blackcaps (one of them a retrap), 19 Sardinian Warblers (only four of which were juveniles), two adult House Sparrows and four Greenfinches gave an impression of a very poor breeding season. A possible cause may have been a population explosion of Black Rats Rattus rattus alexandrinus in the Nature Reserve.

 

August trans-Saharan migrants comprised four Orphean Warblers ringed on the 20^th, individual Bonelli’s Warblers on the 20^th and 21^st, an Iberian Chiffchaff on the 20^th with two on the 22^nd and another on the 28^th, individual Willow Warblers on the 20^th, 29^th and 30^th, six Common Reed Warblers from the 20^th until the 31^st, Nightingales on the 21^st and 28^th, individual Pied Flycatchers on the 28^th and 29^th, a Common Whitethroat on the 28^th, a Melodious Warbler on the 29^th and a Garden Warbler and a Hoopoe on the 31^st.

 

Only 22 ringing days were possible in September because of persistent westerlies. Easterlies blew on 16 days, intermittently during the month, but continuously for five days from the 6^th and another seven days from the 23^rd. During this period 470 birds were processed, a very low number compared to previous years. They comprised 438 new birds and 42 retraps. Resident species continued to be encountered in low numbers: 24 Blue Tits, two Great Tits, 52 Blackcaps (the majority migrants at the end of the month), 60 Sardinian Warblers (of which 12 were retraps and only ten were adult birds), 23 new Blackbirds (all juveniles), three House Sparrows and six Greenfinches.

 

Trans-Saharan migrants were predominant in the September catch which comprised ten Iberian Chiffchaffs, 37 Willow Warblers, 28 Common Reed Warblers (a good number considering they are trapped in Mediterranean scrub), 57 Garden Warblers (only seven adults), 15 Orphean Warblers, 29 Common Redstarts, 28 Pied Flycatchers and eight Spotted Flycatchers. Six Common Chiffchaffs were also ringed. Playback drew in eight Bee-eaters on the 15^th and nine Barn Swallows, with four on the 14^th and five on the 15^th. Nocturnal birds comprised individual Red-necked Nightjars on the 16^th and 20^th, single European Nightjars on the 15^th and 20^th and six Scops Owls between the 12^th and the 22^nd, with two on the 19^th. A juvenile Little Owl, a scarce resident last ringed in 2018, was ringed on the 19^th. Among scarcer migrants were a female Golden Oriole on the 10^th, a Tree Pipit on the 15^th, single Subalpine Warblers on the 15^th and 20^th, a Blue Rock Thrush and a Bluethroat of the red-spotted subspecies svecica on the 19^th, a Bonelli’s Warbler on the 20^th and a Melodious Warbler and a Robin on the 25^th.

 

A period of easterlies during October until the 12^th proved fruitful, but westerlies dominated the rest of the month, with gale force winds on the 19^th and 22^nd. The 24 ringing days covered produced 1,142 birds processed: 1,068 new birds and 74 retraps. Blackcaps predominated, with 656 birds ringed and 27 retraps. Days of notable Blackcap captures were the 3^rd with 48 birds, followed by 31 birds the next day, 35 on the 14^th, 39 on the 21^st and 63 on the 31^st. Resident birds ringed comprised nine Blue Tits, single Great Tits on the 2^nd and 5^th, 19 Blackbirds including seven new birds, and 46 Sardinian Warblers of which 13 were retraps.

 

Wintering birds began to arrive during the first week of October. The first Black Redstarts, three birds, were ringed on the 9^th but only nine more were caught during the month. Robins were also scarce with some arrivals during the first week and small numbers throughout the month giving 71 new birds ringed. Only seven Song Thrushes were ringed, the first on the 13^th. In contrast, Common Chiffchaff numbers were normal and good numbers began to arrive from the 21^st, with 62 birds ringed, 25 of them on the 31^st. Diurnal finch passage was sparse and resulted in only three Chaffinches ringed; one on the 26^th and two on the 28^th. There were also 33 Greenfinches ringed (eight on the 28^th and seven on the 31^st), only 11 Serins and eight Siskins from the 21^st onwards, and two Linnets on the 31^st.

 

Trans-Saharan migrants were mainly trapped early in the month but a spell of unusually warm temperatures in Iberia during the month may have held many migrants back, resulting in some unusually late birds. There were 15 Willow Warblers until the 7^th, with late birds on the 17^th, 20^th, 21^st (two birds) and 31^st. Twenty Garden Warblers were ringed up to the 13^th, with late birds on the 17^th, 21^st (four) 28^th and 29^th. Single Common Reed Warblers were ringed on the 5^th, 11^th and (a very late bird) on the 31^st.Single Orphean Warblers were ringed on the 1^st and 3^rd, and Common Whitethroats on the 3^rd, 4^th and 10^th. Nine Nightingales were trapped, the last on the 10^th. There were 19 Common Redstarts up to the 13^th when four were ringed, followed by late birds on the 17^th and 21^st. The last of 12 Pied Flycatchers was on the 17^th.

 

Scarcer October captures included a Subalpine Warbler on the 2^nd, a Spotted Flycatcher on the 9^th, a Dartford Warbler on the 13^th, a Meadow Pipit on the 21^st and a very late Iberian Chiffchaff on the 22^nd. Nocturnal birds comprised nine Red-necked Nightjars: including five birds on the 8^th, and the last on the 13^th; 14 European Nightjars including four on the 10^th and a late bird on the 21^st, and nine Scops Owls, including two on the 8^th and three on the 11^th with the last on the 14^th. Playback lures for hirundines resulted in captures of individual Crag Martins on the 28^th, 29^th and 31^st; 25 Red-rumped Swallows including three on the 27^th, 16 birds on the 28^th and six on the 30^th, and three Barn Swallows: one on the 12^th and two on the 28^th.

 

The outstanding October event was the capture and ringing of a Booted Warbler, the first Gibraltar record and the fourth for the Iberian Peninsula (See Pp x-x).

 

There were 1,268 birds processed over 24 dates in November. Of these 1,214 were new and 54 retraps. Winds were dominated by westerlies for most of the month, with a week of easterlies from the 13^th, during which mainly light to moderate winds prevailed, with very little levanter cloud over the Rock. A single day of easterlies on the 23^rd was followed by light variable winds the following day. It must be emphasised that, during the autumn, temperatures were above average for most of Iberia, with many records broken, and continuous drought conditions prevailed, with very little rain throughout the region.

 

Blackcaps again predominated with 310 new birds and ten retraps caught. These were mainly spread out throughout the month with high totals of 34 on the 1^st, and 27 each on the 17^th, 18^th and 20^th. Arrivals of wintering species included a noteworthy 305 Common Chiffchaffs, including high daily totals of 26 on the 1^st followed by 27, 41, 32 and 29 birds respectively on the 13^th to 16^th. Robin numbers increased as well with a total of 200 birds caught and Black Redstarts numbered 108 birds, both spread out during the month. Only 15 Song Thrushes were ringed, including three each on the 1^st and 8^th and two each on the 14^th and 18^th. Resident bird catches were few, with four new Blackbirds and 12 new Sardinian Warblers ringed.

 

Late trans-Saharan migrants in November comprised a Common Reed Warbler on the 6^th; four Garden Warblers, on 1^st, 3^rd, 16^th and a very late bird on the 30^th, and a Willow Warbler on the 13^th. An influx of Siskins was apparent, with 160 birds ringed (including high day totals of 17, 35, 17 and 18 birds on the 18^th to 22^nd respectively). Other finches ringed in November included 13 Chaffinches, 55 Serins, 13 Greenfinches and 23 Goldfinches, as well as a single female Bullfinch on the 10^th. Further hirundine captures comprised ten Crag Martins, including five birds on the 15^th; five Red-rumped Swallows (three on the 1^st, two on the 6^th and a late bird on the 23^rd), three Barn Swallows (two on the 1^st and another on the 26^th), and a very late Sand Martin on the 24^th. The Sand Martin was the first ringing record for Gibraltar of what is only a scarce migrant locally. A Yellow-browed Warbler on the 9^th was the 12^th ringing record and 24^th local record. A Long-tailed Tit that was caught on the 17^th had been ringed at the Observatory on November 7^th 2022.

 

Finally, 206 birds were processed in December in six days ringing from the 2^nd until the 7^th, with a final day on the 30^th. Of these, 148 birds were new and 58 were retraps. The winds were westerlies from the 2^nd until the 4^th when they became light and variable, turning to easterlies up until the 7^th. On the 30^th the winds were north-westerly. Of 47 Robins processed, 22 were new and 25 were retraps, indicating the presence of established wintering birds. Blackcaps numbered 27 new birds and five retraps, including two birds ringed on the 30^th. Black Redstarts were still passing through, with 40 new birds and six retraps. Resident birds numbered five Blue Tits and three Blackbirds as well as 13 Sardinian Warblers, only three of which were new birds. Common Chiffchaff captures declined and only 12 new birds were ringed. Two Stonechats were trapped and ringed on the 2^nd, at the Europa foreshore with spring traps, as were two Blue Rock Thrushes on the 7^th at Hole in the Wall area. Finches were represented by six Chaffinches, four Goldfinches and five Greenfinches. A Brambling on the 2^nd was only the 10^th ringing record.

 

Ringers 2023

 

D. Ash, M. Ashman, I. Beggs, C, Buckle, B. Bueche, S. Carpenter, I. Cebertowicz, A. Commins, S. Crease, M. Cutts, R. Dickie, M. el Harouchy, M. Geary, R, Geary, J. Gregory, T. Hallahan, R, Hapworth, R. Hickman, G. Hill, C. & D. Lamsdell, H. Land, I. Lees, S. Lloyd, A. Marlow, R. Marsh, P. Norrie, S. Oakley, K. Palmer, C. Perez, C. Pritchard, S. Roberts, A. Sherman, E. Sherwell, J. Slattery, A. Smethurst, A. Rees, P. Reufsteck, M. Speck, R. Taylor, C. Twitchen, T. Webb, M. Winsloe, J. Yeoman.

 

 

Table 1: Controls & Recoveries 2023

 

Ring	Species	Ringing Date	Co-ordinates	Site	Region	Country	Control Date	Duration	Distance
8821146	Blackcap	31/08/2029	48° 01N 03° 17E	Les Boulins, St. julien du Sault	Yonne	France	14/02/2023	1263 days	1500km
9897654	Blackcap	18/10/2021	43° 01N 06° 07E	Marais des Estagnets	Hyeres Var	France	19/02/2023	489 days	1244km
5A1129	Pied Flycatcher	18/08/2022	44° 22N 00° 16E	Etang de la Maziere	Villeton Lot et Garonne	France	18/04/2023	243 days	1032km
B26195	Serin	04/10/2023	50° 31N 05° 49E	Lomas de los Huesos	Ceuta	Ceuta	17/10/2022	6 days	28km
18122938	Blackcap	pending	pending	pending	pending	Belgium	pending	pending	pending
BZA1191	Blackcap	29/08/2023	51° 08N 01° 22E	St Margaret’s at Cliffe	Kent	United Kingdom	07/10/2023	39 days	1752km
BAA5259	Blackcap	03/09/2023	50° 51N 00° 22W	Cissbury Ring	Worthing West Sussex	United Kingdom	31/10/2023	58 days	1684km
Y164584	Blackcap	pending	pending	pending	pending	Netherlands	31/10/2023	pending	pending
91081964	Blackcap	05/09/2023	51° 08N 09° 05W	Giflitz	Kassel	Germany	05/11/2023	61 days	2029km
75A9172	Robin	03/12/2023	pending	pending	pending	Italy	pending	pending	pending
K019555	Blackcap	06/07/2023	53° 22N 16° 25E	Golce	Zachodnio-Pomorskie	Poland	17/11/2023	134 days	2560km
S451449	Crag Martin	04/03/2020	42 42N 00 55E	Naut Aran	Lerida	Spain	21/07/2023	1233 days	907km
AYE5416	Blackcap	22/10/2019	48 07N 02 00W	Iffendic	Ille-et-Vilaine	France	14/06/2023	1331 days	1361km
AFY5486	Blackcap	20/10/2022	54 50N 04 15W	Cardoness	Dumfries & Galloway	United Kingdom	16/05/2023	208 days	2081km

 

 

Table 2: Annual Ringing Totals 2023

	Spring	Autumn	Total	Total	Total	Totals
SPECIES	2023	2023	2023	2021	2022	91-23
Quail	-	-	-	-	-	8
Red-necked Nightjar	1	11	12	4	2	136
European Nightjar	-	16	16	7	-	178
Common Swift	-	-	-	-	-	62
Pallid Swift	2	-	2	15	4	66
Great Spotted Cuckoo	-	-	-	-	-	3
Common Cuckoo	-	-	-	-	-	1
Turtle Dove	2	-	2	-	-	32
Collared Dove	-	-	-	-	-	13
Moorhen	-	-	-	-	-	1
Purple Swamphen	-	-	-	-	-	1
Woodcock	-	-	-	-	-	1
Yellow-legged Gull	-	-	-	-	30	487
Puffin	-	-	-	-	-	1
European Storm Petrel	-	-	-	1	-	3
Leach's Storm Petrel	-	-	-	-	-	2
Cory's Shearwater	-	-	-	-	-	2
Gannet	-	1	1	1	-	3
Little Bittern	-	-	-	-	-	1
Night Heron	-	-	-	-	-	1
Honey Buzzard	-	-	-	-	-	8
Griffon Vulture	-	-	-	-	-	14
Short-toed Eagle	1	-	1	-	-	10
Booted Eagle	-	-	-	-	-	6
Bonelli's Eagle	-	-	-	-	-	1
Sparrowhawk	4	-	4	4	3	92
Black Kite	-	-		-	-	6
Barn Owl	-	-	-	-	-	1
Little Owl	-	1	1	-	-	14
Scops Owl	-	15	15	2	1	223
Long-eared Owl	-	-	-	-	-	2
Eagle Owl	-	-	-	-	-	1
Hoopoe	7	1	8	4	7	121
Common Kingfisher	-	-	-	-	-	9
European Bee-eater	-	8	8	2	6	43
Wryneck	-	-	-	8	5	55
Lesser Kestrel	-	-	-	-	-	1
Common Kestrel	-	-	-	-	-	25
Merlin	-	-	-	-	-	2
Hobby	-	-	-	-	-	3
Peregrine	-	-	-	-	-	7
Woodchat Shrike	11	0	11	2	10	247
Golden Oriole	-	1	1	2	1	25
Coal Tit	-	-		-	-	2
Blue Tit	2	32	34	59	56	1298
Great Tit	-	3	3	2	-	105
Wood Lark	-	-	-	-	-	3
Thekla’s Lark	-	-	-	-	-	2
Sand Martin	-	1	1	-	-	1
Crag Martin	2	13	15	341	125	2618
Barn Swallow	1	15	16	86	20	320
Red-rumped Swallow	-	30	30	35	9	91
House Martin	-	-	-	-	-	150
Cetti's Warbler	-	-	-	-	-	4
Long-tailed Tit	-	-	-	-	7	12
Wood Warbler	5	-	5	7	1	91
Bonelli's Warbler	116	3	119	95	115	2262
Yellow-browed Warbler	-	1	1	-	2	12
Pallas’s Warbler	1	-	1			1
Willow Warbler	311	61	372	340	194	7706
Mountain Chiffchaff	-	-	-	-	-	1
Common Chiffchaff	70	378	448	221	190	6939
Iberian Chiffchaff	29	15	44	56	25	620
Great Reed-warbler	-	-		-	-	2
Sedge Warbler	-	-	-	1	-	9
Common Reed-warbler	12	32	44	75	42	506
Booted Warbler	1		1			1
Western Olivaceous Warbler	3	-	3	-	1	9
Melodious Warbler	87	2	89	60	56	980
Icterine Warbler	-	-	-	-	-	6
Grasshopper Warbler	1	-	1	5	2	61
Zitting Cisticola	-	-	-	-	-	29
Blackcap	910	1033	1943	1978	5249	44690
Garden Warbler	90	86	176	245	206	3583
Lesser Whitethroat	-	-	-	-	-	2
Orphean Warbler	13	21	34	31	16	524
Sardinian Warbler	48	114	162	325	328	7465
Subalpine Warbler	22	3	25	20	14	761
Common Whitethroat	48	9	57	58	20	935
Spectacled Warbler	-	-	-	-	-	23
Dartford Warbler	-	1	1	1	9	111
Firecrest	-	-	-	-	1	40
Goldcrest	-	-	-	-	-	7
Eurasian Wren	1	1	2	11	11	396
Short-toed Treecreeper	-	-	-	-	1	24
Common Starling	-	-	-	1	1	3
Spotless Starling	-	-	-	-	-	36
Song Thrush	20	20	40	177	91	1783
Mistle Thrush	-	-	-	1	-	3
Redwing	-	-	-	2	3	15
Blackbird	24	41	65	125	81	2905
Ring Ouzel	-	-	-	3	-	25
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin	-	-	-	-	-	2
Spotted Flycatcher	10	9	19	15	19	368
Robin	61	279	340	1461	631	16532
Bluethroat	-	-	-	-	2	13
Bluethroat ssp. svecica	-	1	1	-	1	2
Nightingale	44	28	72	98	54	1367
Red-breasted Flycatcher	-	-	-	-	-	2
Pied Flycatcher	104	41	145	155	149	1740
Black Redstart	36	159	195	562	276	9166
Common Redstart	36	48	84	127	66	1552
Common Rock-thrush	-	-		-	-	4
Blue Rock-thrush	-	3	3	2	2	86
Whinchat	1	-	1	-	1	81
Stonechat	4	2	6	8	1	241
Northern Wheatear	-	-	-	1	-	46
Black-eared Wheatear	-	-	-	1	-	31
Spanish Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	6
House/Spanish Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	1
House Sparrow	19	5	24	11	18	1011
Dunnock	-	-	-	-	1	25
Yellow Wagtail	-	2	-	-	2	8
Grey Wagtail	-	1	-	-	1	27
Richard's Pipit	-	-	-	-	-	1
Tawny Pipit	-	-	-	-	-	15
Meadow Pipit	-	1	1	-	-	50
Tree Pipit	1	1	2	8	4	117
Chaffinch	8	21	29	26	32	768
African Chaffinch	-	-	-	-	-	2
Brambling	-	1	1	-	3	11
Hawfinch	-	-	-	-	-	5
Bullfinch	1	1	2	1	2	27
Trumpeter Finch	-	-		-	-	1
Common Rosefinch	-	-	-	-	-	1
Bullfinch	1	1	2	1	2	27
Trumpeter Finch	-	-		-	-	1
Greenfinch	66	59	125	210	146	4592
Linnet	-	2	2	3	8	122
Red Crossbill	-	-	-	-	-	1
Goldfinch	1	27	28	22	71	1118
Serin	15	84	99	52	121	1488
Siskin	-	174	174	50	9	440
Corn Bunting	-	-	-	-	-	10
Rock Bunting	-	-	-	-	-	8
Ortolan Bunting	1	-	1	-	-	39
Cirl Bunting	-	-	-	-	-	2
Little Bunting	-	-	-	-	-	2
TOTAL	2252	2916	5168	3725	8572	130249

 

 

 

RARE BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR

(2020–2023)

This is the first of what is intended to be an ongoing series of reports by the Gibraltar Rarities Committee (GRC) in the format generally adopted by members of the Association of European Rarities Committees (AERC). K. Bensusan, E. Garcia and C. Perez are the current members of the committee. Record acceptance requires unanimous approval by the committee members.

The rare birds reports only include species that are rarities in the context of the Iberian Peninsula as a whole, and are thus of other than local interest. Those that are only local vagrants in Gibraltar are included in the Systematic Lists of the annual Gibraltar Bird Reports. These last are chiefly species, notably waterfowl, waders and some woodland
birds, that are frequent in southern Iberia but whose preferred habitats are lacking in Gibraltar. The IOC nomenclature and species sequence is employed.

Format: Entries are organised as follows, in order.

1.Species names (English, Spanish, Scientific)
2. Total number of individuals recorded prior to the period covered by this report.
3. Total number of individuals recorded during the period covered by this report.
4. For each record: Site, Dates, Age/sex, Observation type (sight record /
photographed / ringed), References, Observers in alphabetical order.
5. Iberian Status summary. Number of accepted records published by end 2023:
from Spain (mainland Spain plus Balearic Islands) and Portugal (mainland). In
parentheses.
6. Breeding/wintering range of the species. In parentheses.

Greater Spotted Eagle Águila moteada Clanga clanga (2, 1)

2023 Jews’ Gate Observatory, March 31^st , Adult in heavy wing and tail moult, photographed (M. Cutts, T. Finlayson). Flying north on a day of substantial raptor passage.
(Spain 55, Portugal 0)
(Breeds EC Europe east to NE China. Most winter S Asia and NE Africa)

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Mosquitero de Pallas Phylloscopus proregulus (1, 1)

2023 Jews’ Gate Observatory, April 27^th , 5M, ringed (C. Perez, J. Yeoman et al.). (Spain 24, Portugal 3)
(Breeds SC & SE Siberia, S to N Mongolia and NE China . Winters SE China, N Thailand and N Indochina.)

Siberian Chiffchaff Mosquitero sibérico Phylloscopus collybita tristis (2, 1)

2020 North Front Cemetery, March 20^th , photographed, GBR 20: 41, (P. Rocca). (Spain 66, Portugal 11)                                                                                                                    (Breeds Russia, from Kanin Peninsula S to S Urals and east to NW China and NW Mongolia; winters S Iraq and Arabia E to India and Bangladesh)

Booted Warbler Zarcero escita Iduna caligata (0, 1)

2023 Jews’ Gate Observatory, October 2^nd , 3J, ringed (K. Palmer et al.)
(Spain 3, Portugal 0)
(Breeds central Asia. Winters C and E India)

Red-breasted Flycatcher Papamoscas papirrojo Ficedula parva (3, 1)

2022 Jews’ Gate Observatory, October 27^th , ringed (I, Lees, C. Perez).
(Spain 68, Portugal 19)
(Breeds C Europe E to Urals and Caucasus. Winters mainly India subcontinent)

Moroccan Wagtail Lavandera blanca Norteafricana Motacilla alba subpersonata (1, 1)

2022 Europa Point Foreshore, May 24^th , M, photographed, GBR 22: 50 (R. Perez).
(Spain 9, Portugal 1)
(Breeds NW Morocco. Mainly resident but some winter S Morocco)

House Bunting Escribano sahariano Emberiza deserti (0, 5)

2021 Jews’ Gate Observatory, September 19^th , 4F, ringed (K. Bensusan, C. Perez et al.).
Europa Point, October 15^th , M, photographed (R. Perez).

2022 Jews’ Gate Observatory, September 25^th , 4M, ringed (R. Geary).

Western reclamation area at Harbour Views, October 19^th , M, photographed (F. Torrilla). See GBR 21: 64–66 for photos.

2023 Europa Point, March 13^th , F, Landed after arriving from the south, photographed (R. Perez, P. Rocca). Also present there on March 14^th and seen again on March 24^th at Europa Walks. (Spain 10, Portugal 0).
(NW Africa and Sahara E to Chad. Mainly resident)

Yellow-rumped Warbler Picafollas coronado Setophaga coronata (0, 1)

2021 Europa Point, February 20^th remaining to March 3^rd , 4M winter, photographed, GBR 21: 62–63 (L. López, M. Morales Holgado et al.).
Found frequenting a large clump of flowering Aloe arborescens, from which seen taking nectar. Subspecies coronata (Myrtle Warbler), the only form recorded in Europe.
(Spain 1, Portugal 0)
(Breeds N and NE Canada and USA south to West Viriginia. Winters SE United States south to Panama
and the West Indies)

 

THE BOOTED WARBLER IDUNA CALIGATA

IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Ernest Garcia

 

The Booted Warbler Iduna (formerly Hippolais) caligata is an Asian species that has only been identified in the Iberian Peninsula relatively recently. Its breeding range is centered on western and southwestern Russia and northern Kazakhstan, extending to extreme eastern Finland in the west and northwestern China in the east. The population winters mainly in central and eastern India (Svensson 2020). It is among those north Asian species that stray to northwestern Europe with some frequency, especially during their autumn migration. For example, In Britain, there are about five records annually, these totalling 183 birds by 2021 (Holt et al. 2022) and The Netherlands have reported 34 birds, up to 2020 (Gelling et al. 2021). However, this is an inconspicuous and nondescript species, whose identification requires considerable expertise. As such it seems likely that a number go unnoticed and unreported.

 

Thus far, there are only eight records from the Iberian Peninsula: five in Spain, two in Portugal and, most recently, one in Gibraltar (Table 1). All have been accepted by the respective rarities committees and are published in the corresponding annual rare bird reports in Ardeola (Spain), Noticiario Ornitologico (Portugal) or in the Gibraltar Bird Report.

 

Table 1. Iberian Peninsula records of the Booted Warbler Iduna caligata up to 2023.

DATE	LOCATION	COUNTRY
September 24th 1998	Dragonera, Balearic Islands	Spain
September 8th 2004	Colunga, Asturias	Spain
September 13th 2012	Zahara de los Atunes	Spain
October 6th 2015	Vila do Bispo, Sagres, Faro	Portugal
September 24th 2019	Mourisca, Sado Estuary. Setúbal	Portugal
September 10th–14th 2023	Hondarribia, Guipúzcoa	Spain
September 17th–18th 2023	Cabrera, Balearic Islands	Spain
October 2nd 2023	Jews’ Gate Observatory	Gibraltar

 

The records are all within a short period spanning the second week of September to the first week of October. The three 2023 records suggest a (probably) small influx into Iberia at the time. All the individuals were identified either in the hand by ringers or from photographs taken in the field.

 

The Gibraltar record was of a juvenile individual that was mist-netted at the observatory on the morning of October 2^nd 2023. Its fat score was zero, wing length 61mm and mass 8.5g. The photos (Figures 1 and 2) taken at the time clearly show the characteristics of the species (as per Kennerley & Pearson 2010): largely olive-brown above and buffish below, recalling a leaf-warbler in size but with buff-fringed outer tail feathers, a strong bill with a dark tip, broad creamy supercilia extending well behind the eye, a faint dark loral spot and brownish-grey legs. Putative confusion species, notably Sykes’s Warbler I. rama were ruled out by ringers at the time and by reference to others familiar with such species, who viewed the photographs of the Gibraltar bird (K. Palmer pers. comm.).

 

Figure 1. Booted Warbler. Note the buff fringes to the outer rectrices,

The dark tip to the lower mandible is also obvious.

 

 

Figure 2. Booted Warbler. Head showing broad creamy supercilium, white eye ring, dark subloral spot and bill pattern.

The faint dark lateral crown stripe is a also a feature of this species.

 

NOTE. The unhelpful vernacular name is probably the consequence of the lack of distinctive features of this species. The ‘Booted’ adjective in the English name is shared by only three other bird species, the Booted Eagle and two hummingbirds. In those cases the term refers to heavy feathering on the tarsus but the Booted Warbler is so-termed because the darker feet contrast somewhat with the paler brown (unfeathered) legs, at least in adults.

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Gelling, G. J., van der Spek, V., Lidster, J. & CDNA. 2021. Rare birds in the Netherlands in 2020. Dutch Birding 43: 433.

 

Holt, C., French, P. & the Rarities Committee. 2022. Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2021. British Birds 115: 590–591.

 

Kennerley, P. & Pearson, D. 2010. Reed and Bush Warblers. Helm, London.

 

Svensson, L. (2020). Booted Warbler (Iduna caligata), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.boowar1.01