30 Sep:  Overcast skies with a heavy levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour.  Winds moderate easterly.

 Ringing Totals

A Sparrowhawk attempted a crossing but returned over the Rock.  There were at least 15 Booted Eagles and a Short-toed Eagle over the Rock at midday.

29 Sep:  Levanter cloud appearing to form in the morning with a light easterly wind.

 Ringing Totals

Eight Booted Eagles flew in to the Rock from the south.  Two Pied Flycatchers and two Spotted Flycatchers were present at the Botanic Gardens.

Two Grey Herons observed at Rosia bay.

28 Sep:  Clear skies with slight levanter cloud appearing over the Rock.  Winds light easterly becoming light variable and south-westerly in the afternoon.

 Ringing Totals

An Owl sp. was heard screeching in the Parson's Lodge area.  A Sparrowhawk was seen from Princess Caroline's Battery.

At least 100 Cory's Shearwaters were seen off Europa Point feeding and rafting on the sea, and harassed by a Great Skua.  A Common Sandpiper was seen on the rocks at the western end of the runway.

A seawatch at Europa point produced over 100 Cory's Shearwaters, three Shags, a Gannet, two Audouin's Gulls and five Sandwich Terns.

Two Crag Martins seen from the Observatory in the morning.

27 Sep:  Clear skies with a light variable wind.

  Ringing Totals

A Grey Heron was present at the Europa foreshore.

26 Sep:  High cirrus cloud during the morning with a light westerly becoming moderate south-westerly.

  Ringing Totals

At least 18 Sparrowhawks headed north over the Observatory in the morning.  The Iberian Magpie was seen again perched on an Olive tree opposite the Observatory.

25 Sep:  Clear skies with a light variable to light westerly wind.  

Most of the passerine migrants that were observed and trapped days earlier at the Observatory had left overnight, and a poor days ringing was endured until mid morning when nets were closed and ringers had a well earned rest.

  Ringing Totals

The feeding frenzy of Blue-fin Tuna with accompanying Cory's Shearwaters were spotted to the east of Europa Point.

A few Booted Eagles and Sparrowhawks were seen over the Rock, with a Black Kite over Windmill as well as the three Ravens.  Two Ospreys were seen off Europa Point, with another seen over the Observatory.

The North Front Cemetery held several Willow Warblers and a Redstart.

24 Sep:  Overcast skies with rain showers throughout the morning and early afternoon.  Winds light easterly becoming light variable in the afternoon.

A flock of 100 Flamingoes flew west past Europa Point.  Offshore at over 100 Cory's Shearwaters feeding and a raft of 60 settled on the sea.  Seven Balearic Shearwaters heading east and a Great Skua west.

Five Sparrowhawks flew south during a break in rain showers.

  Ringing Totals

23 Sep:  Overcast skies with dense levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour.  Winds fresh to strong easterly.

Approximately 12 Booted Eagles were seen over the Rock at midday.  This was followed by approximately 100 Booted Eagles, a Short-toed Eagle an Osprey and an Eleonora's Falcon.   A Cormorant was seen flying over Europort.

 Ringing Totals

A Tawny Owl was heard below the ringing site in the evening.  A Hobby was seen over town in the afternoon, and a watch at Europa Point produced several Cory's Shearwaters feeding around Tuna shoals, with some Balearic Shearwaters entering the Mediterranean.  Also seen was a Great Skua. 

22 Sep:  Overcast skies with low mist and levanter cloud covering the Rock.  Winds fresh easterly.

 Ringing Totals

At least 15 Booted Eagles and a Sparrowhawk were seen around midday over the Rock.  A Tree Pipit flew south over the Observatory, and a Scops Owl and two Red-necked Nightjars were observed in the Nature Reserve.

21 Sep:  Dense fog at dawn covering the whole area, but slowly lifting by 09:00hrs.  Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour throughout the day.  Winds moderate easterly.  Some sunny spells in the afternoon.

A flock of 15 Swallows and 14 Bee-eaters flew south over the Observatory.

 Ringing Totals

There were four Turnstones on the rocks at the South Mole.   Two Scops Owls were recorded in the Nature Reserve.

20 Sep:  Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour, and cloudy over the Strait and nearby Spain.  Cloud clearing by midday but levanter cloud remaining until mid afternoon. Winds a moderate easterly.

 Ringing Totals

A Sparrowhawk was seen around Jews' Gate and the Iberian Magpie flew past the Observatory.  Also seen were single Swallow and three Booted Eagles soaring over the Rock at midday.

19 Sep:  Clear skies with a light to breezy northerly wind at the Observatory.  In the afternoon winds became light and variable.

Ringing Totals

Although the winds at the Observatory gusting at the nets, a number of passerine migrants and some resident birds were trapped and ringed.  Among these was a first for Gibraltar, a House Bunting * Emberiza sahari ,a north African species that has been expanding its range northwards in Morocco, and has now established a breeding population in Tangier; it was only a matter of time before one arrived in Gibraltar. 

House Bunting Adult female, arrested moult. New PP 1-3

House Bunting Adult female, arrested moult.

Photos by C. Finlayson.

A Hoopoe was observed in the early morning at the Observatory where single Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and adult Egyptian Vulture were seen heading south.  A Honey Buzzard was seen in the late evening dropping down to roost on the Rock.

18 Sep:  Clear skies throughout the day but fog creeping over Europa Point and the airfield that dissipated by 11am.  Winds light variable turning to moderate south-westerly by midday.

Ringing Totals

A flock of 32 Black Kites flew low over town mid afternoon.  Eighteen Glossy Ibises flew along the east of the Rock heading south.

17 Sep:  Clear skies at dawn but fog bank came in from the east to cover Windmill Hill and the airfield and harbour.  Some levanter cloud forming mid morning to bring overcast skies, but by midday the cloud dissipated and was followed by clear skies.  Winds light variable to light easterly becoming light southerly in the afternoon.

Ringing Totals

 A Red-necked Nightjar was seen resting in the net rides in the morning.  The North Front Cemetery held two Black-eared Wheatears and five Redstarts.

16 Sep:  Clear skies with a light westerly wind becoming moderate south-westerly.

Approximately 150 raptors were seen in the morning over town, composed of Honey Buzzards and Black Kites.

Ringing Totals

A visit to North Front Cemetery in the morning produced three Black-eared Wheatears, two Blackbirds, five Redstarts, a Reed Warbler, four Sardinian Warblers, three Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and five Pied Flycatchers.

A walk from Upper Witham's Road to the Botanic Gardens produced 50 Collared Doves, four Blackbirds, two Sardinian Warblers, six Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs, seven Pied Flycatchers, four Spotted Flycatchers and 13 Blue Tits.

A seawatch from Europa Point produced over 100 Cory's Shearwaters, a Cormorant, a Shag, six Turnstones, two Common Sandpipers, three Black-headed Gulls, three Audouin's Gulls.  Also seen from there were two Ravens, an Osprey and two Yellow Wagtails.

15 Sep:  Overcast skies with some light rain showers overnight, remaining cloudy with some sunny spells.  Winds light variable to light westerly.

Ringing Totals

The Turtle Dove was still at North Front Cemetery in the morning, plus two Sardinian Warblers, four Garden Warblers, a Willow Warbler two Chiffchaffs and four Blue Tits.

A walk along upper Witham's Road to the Botanic produced three Sardinian Warblers, two Blackcaps, five Pied Flycatchers, three Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs and nine Blue Tits. 

In the Botanic Gardens a further seven Blackbirds, three Sardinian Warblers, two Blackcaps, single Spotted and Pied Flycatchers and four Blue Tits were seen.

At North Front Cemetery there were single Black-eared Wheatear and Reed Warbler, three Sardinian Warblers, a Garden Warbler, three Spotted Flycatcher and two Pied Flycatcher.

14 Sep:  Overcast skies with some rain showers overnight and early in the morning.  Remaining cloudy but clearing mid afternoon to give sunny periods.  Winds light easterly.

Ringing Totals

In the morning, a Marsh Harrier flew south over the Observatory, a Sparrowhawk flew low over the net rides and a flock of 10 Swallows were seen around the site.

A visit to North Front Cemetery in the morning produced a Turtle Dove, three Blackbirds, four Sardinian Warblers, two Garden Warblers, three Pied Flycatchers and a Blue Tit.

A walk along upper Witham's Road to the Botanic revealed 37 Collared Doves, five Blackbirds, two Spotted Flycatchers, two Pied Flycatchers, a Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit.

A visit to Windmill Hill produced eight Barbary Partridges, a Kestrel, four Hoopoes, a Swallow, 11 Blackbirds, four Blue Rock Thrushes, a Zitting Cisticolas, six Redstarts, a Nightingale, 26 Sardinian Warblers, two Willow Warblers and 31 Spotless Starlings.

13 Sep:  Overcast skies with westerly cloud plus low levanter cloud.  Some light rain showers in the morning and afternoon.

Ringing Totals

 A Booted Eagle and a Sparrowhawk were seen mid morning over O'Hara's Battery.  Two Turnstones were seen at the South Mole.

12 Sep:  Clear skies in the morning but some light levanter cloud developing mid morning, disappearing by midday.  Winds light variable to light easterly.

Ringing Totals

There were single Garden Warblers in the Botanic Gardens and Trafalgar Cemetery. 

11 Sep:  Clear skies with a light to moderate westerly becoming light variable.  A Sparrowhawk was observed at Jews' Gate.

Ringing Totals

A morning watch at Europa Point produced a Black-headed Gull, a Common Sandpiper, two Turnstones and two Grey Wagtails.

At midday at North Front Cemetery there were single Hoopoe, Redstart and Melodious Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, a Blackbird and six Sardinian Warblers.  In the Botanic Gardens there were several Willow Warblers, a Bonelli's Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher.

Bonelli's Warbler in the Botanic Gardens.                                               F.J. Odinius.

A walk from Governor's Lookout to Signal Station Road produced two Barbary Partridge, two Kestrels, seven Pallid Swifts,  a Wren, two Blackbirds, three Redstarts, two Pied Flycatchers, three Ravens and five Greenfinches.

10 Sep:  Clear skies with a light northerly becoming moderate south-westerly in the afternoon. 

Ringing Totals

An early morning count from Princess Caroline's Battery produced a White Stork, three Honey Buzzards, 46 Black Kites, a Short-toed Eagle and a Kestrel.  Total for the day was 524 Honey Buzzards, 30 Black Kites, two Egyptian Vultures, a Short-toed Eagle, a Montagu's Harrier, three Sparrowhawks, four Booted Eagles and a Kestrel.  Also seen were single White Stork, 40 Bee-eaters and a Common Swift.

A two hour watch at Europa Point produced two Shelduck, 56 Cory's Shearwaters, four Gannets, a Cormorant, three Shags, two Black-headed Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, two Audouin's Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern.  Also seen overhead were five Honey Buzzards and two Marsh Harriers.

Adult and juvenile Shelducks flying west at Europa Point.                                    R. Perez

09 Sep:  Cloudy skies with some sunny periods clearing by midday.  Winds fresh westerly. 

Ringing Totals

Raptor passage commenced early in the morning with 469 Honey Buzzards, 247 Black Kites, two Egyptian Vultures, two Sparrowhawks and two Booted Eagles counted.  A visit in the morning to North Front Cemetery produced two Hoopoes, two Black-eared Wheatears and a Willow Warbler.

Black-eared Wheatear at North Front Cemetery.                                                   R. Perez 

08 Sep:  Cloudy with some clear patches in the morning, with cloud from the west clearing by midday.  Winds fresh north-westerly.  Windy at the Observatory with only a few nets opened. 

 Ringing Totals

Raptor passage begun early with 117 Honey Buzzards in the cloud cover.  Also seen were 67 Black Kites, seven Eygptian Vultures, five Marsh Harriers, two Montagu's Harriers, two Booted Eagles and three Sparrowhawks.  At least 50 Black Kites were seen in the evening low over the town and Rock.  An Osprey was seen feeding on fish in a tree behind Catalan Bay.

A juvenile Golden Oriole was present at North Front Cemetery together with three Sardinian Warblers, a Blackbird and two Chiffchaffs., and a Hoopoe and three Swallows were seen at the Observatory.   In the evening there were single Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher at North Front Cemetery with 25 Honey Buzzards and 39 Black Kites overhead.

There were two Ortolan Buntings present in the north of the Rock.

One of two Ortolan Buntings seen at the northern end of the Rock.                                  R. Perez 

07 Sep:  Clear skies at dawn but some levanter cloud over the Rock and town dissipating by mid morning, followed by clear skies.  Winds light easterly becoming light variable in the evening. 

The Iberian Magpie was observed flying south at the Observatory and then landed on Clifftops before setting off to Windmill Hill. 

Ringing Totals

Juvenile Bee-eater ringed at the Jews' Gate Field Centre.

A juvenile Glossy Ibis made the headlines in the Gibraltar Chronicle, when it was found inside the Sports Hall.  It eventually managed to fly out through one of the upper windows.

There were two Red-necked Nightjars seen in the Nature Reserve.

There were 13 Turnstones at the South Mole, with nine Shags on the rocks at Seven sisters.  A Willow Warbler was at Vineyards, with a Hoopoe late in the evening at North Front Cemetery. A single Sparrowhawk was seen from the Observatory.

06 Sep:  Heavy levanter over the Rock, town and harbour with overcast skies in the region.  Winds moderate easterly.

Ringing Totals

 A flock of 36 Bee-eaters were seen in the heavy cloud above the Observatory in the morning, with over 100 seen elsewhere.   Also four Booted Eagles and three Swallows. 

05 Sep:  Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour with early morning fog in the Strait and the airfield, lifting by midday.  Levanter cloud decreasing in the afternoon to give sunny spells.

All nets were erected for a good catch today that included a Spanish ringed Orphean Warbler control.

Ringing Totals

 A Willow Warbler and a Reed Warbler were observed in scrub vegetation at Vineyards.  Two Iberian Chiffchaffs were seen in Aloes by Europa Point.

 Two Common Sandpipers were seen at Little Bay.

04 Sep:  Mainly clear skies in the morning with a light variable to light westerly wind in the Strait.  Sunny in the afternoon with winds becoming light easterly.  

Ringing totals for the top nets only.

Ringing Totals

A Storm Petrel was seen one nautical mile off the east side of the Rock.  Two Sanderlings were photographed at Eastern Beach, and a further two Sanderlings and a Common Sandpiper were observed at Sandy Bay.

Two Sanderlings at Eastern Beach.                                                                         M.C. Garcia.

 A dark phase Booted Eagle was seen over town and Bee-eaters were heard at midnight over the southern end of the Rock.  This diurnal species regularly migrates at night also.

03 Sep:  A visit to North Front Cemetery in the morning produced five Hoopoes, single Northern and Black-eared Wheatears and a Golden Oriole flushed from the rubber tree as an Easy Jet flight came in to land.  An Osprey overflew this site and was later spotted in a Eucalyptus tree behind Catalan Bay. 

02 Sep:  Clear skies with a light westerly wind becoming moderate in the Strait.  At dawn two Grey Herons heading north over the North Mole.  A flock of at least 60 Honey Buzzards were seen soaring over town mid morning.

The morning total of raptors was 118 Honey Buzzards, 41 Black Kites, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and four Booted Eagles.

01 Sep:   Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour clearing by midday to a clear sky.  Winds light easterly.

Common Sandpiper observed at western end of runway.  An Egyptian Vulture was seen heading towards mid harbours in the afternoon.  Two Great Tits heard at the Botanic Gardens, and the Jackdaw was still present at Moorish Castle.