30 Nov:  Mainly clear skies with some high cloud and some Saharan dust in the air.  Winds light and variable and very warm with 23^oC.

A visit to Europa foreshore in the afternoon produced a Gannet, a Shag, eight Turnstones, two Chiffchaffs, three Sardinian Warblers,  a Robin, a Stonechat and five Goldfinches.

A Sanderling was present at Western beach and two Cormorants were observed from there.

29 Nov: Mainly sunny with broken cloud.  Moderate to light easterly becoming light variable in the evening.

Several hundred Crag Martins were seen roosting on the west facing ledges of Harbour Views estate.

Crag Martins roosting at Harbour Views.  S. Morgan

28 Nov:  Levanter cloud over the Rock, and town in the morning and early afternoon with a moderate easterly wind.

A visit to Europa foreshore in the afternoon produced nine Gannets heading west, five Shags east, a Common Sandpiper, four Turnstones,  two Black-headed Gulls, two Chiffchaffs, two Black Redstarts and a Blue Rock Thrush.

27 Nov.  Mainly cloudy skies with some sunny intervals.  Winds moderate east north east.

A Kittiwake was seen flying west at Europa Point.

At North Front Cemetery there were two Chiffchaffs, two Song Thrushes, a Robin, six Black Redstarts and two White Wagtails.

 26 Nov:  Light cloud with high cloud becoming clear in the afternoon.  Winds light westerly becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

The Eagle Owl was present on the east side of the Rock.

At North Front Cemetery there were three Sardinian Warblers, two Blackbirds, two Robins, six Black Redstarts, a Stonechat and three White Wagtails.

25 Nov:  Cloudy with levanter cloud throught the morning and easing during the afternoon to give sunny intervals.  Winds moderate to light easterly becoming light and variable to light westerly.

At Europa Point and the foreshore there were single Gannet, three Cormorants, four Shags,  two Whimbrels, seven Turnstones, three Black-headed Gulls, a Blackbird, seven Black Redstarts, two Blue Rock Thrushes, 15 Spotless Starlings and a Goldfinch.

At North Front Cemetery in the afternoon there were four Chiffchaffs,  four Sardinian Warblers, a Blackbird, seven Black Redstarts, two Stonechats and three White Wagtails. 

24 Nov:  MaInly cloudy with levanter cloud and sunny intervals.  Winds moderate easterly.

Dartford Warblers were reported from Little Bay and Europa Point.  There were 18 Gannets feeding close to the shore at Eastern beach, and three Sandwich Terns flew east at Europa Point.

22 Nov:  Clear skies in a modertae to fresh north-westerly wind.

There were five Shags, (two immatures), and a Cormorant at Little Bay rocks.  Also around, two Chiffchaffs , three Black Redstarts, a Stonechat and two Goldfinches.

Two Griffon Vultures was observed mobbed by gulls on the east side of the Rock after midday.

A flock of nine Cormorants flew in V formation over the runway heading south-west.  A Whimbrel and a Turnstone were present at Europa foreshore.

20 Nov:  Clear skies in a moderate north-westerly wind.

A flock of 13 Cormorants flew east of Europa Point.

19 Nov:  A heavy shower early in the morning followed by a cloudy morning with sunny intervals later, and high cloud in the afternoon, with a thunderstorm and heavy rain late afternoon.  Winds light to moderate westerly.

A Grey Wagtail was present at the outfall at Little Bay, with a Turnstone on the rocky revetment.

18 Nov:  Light levanter cloud over the Rock and town, dissipating by midday.  Some cloud from the west together with prolonged sunny intervals.  Winds light easterly becoming light and variable to light westerly.

The last full morning of the autumn ringing campaign, with only the top net rides in use.  Thanks to Richard Geary, Kieron Palmer, Ian Lees and Mark Cutts plus many others during the period.

Ringing Totals

Redwing with many heard at night heading south.       J. Yeoman.

At least two Little Egrets inside the harbour and a Sparrowhawk seen from Buena Vista.  It seems this bird might be overwintering.

17 Nov:  Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a fresh and gusty easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard from the planters at the easte side of Alameda Estate.

Heavy finch passage composed mainly of Serins, Siskins and Goldfinches, with some Greenfinches and Chaffinches. The Osprey and the Grey Heron were present at Little Bay, with four Gannets, six Cormorants and four Shags.  Also see a Sparrowhawk flew overhead.

Two light morph and a dark morph Booted Eagles were observed over the Rock.

In the afternoon at Europa Point there were 22 Gannets, three Cormorants, 34 Black-headed Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls, three Audouin's Gulls, 12 Sandwich Terns, three Black Redstarts and seven Serins.

The Mynas are still around.                      T Vinent.

16 Nov:  Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a strong and gusty easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

The Osprey and the Grey Heron were present at Little Bay, together with a Turnstone and a Gannet offshore.

Rosia Bay contained three Cormorants, seven Gannets, a Common Sandpiper and a Sandwich Tern.

At Europa Point there were 18 Gannets, 40 Black-headed Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, an Audouin's Gull, a Sandwich Tern and three Black Redstarts.

15 Nov:  Overcast skies with some light showers in the morning.  Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a fresh and at times strong and gusty easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

Four Gannets were inside the Harbour. A female Sparrowhawk was observed over Windmill Hill.

14 Nov:  Overcast skies also with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a fresh easterly wind.  Some heavy showers in the morning.

There were two Gannets, nine Shags, a Turnstone a Sandwich Tern and the Osprey at Little Bay.

A Booted Eagle was observed hunting over the sand Slopes.

13 Nov:  Overcast skies with a light southerly wind.  Heavy showers and thunder storm in the early afternoon but easing and remaining cloudy with moderate south-westerly.

Ringing Totals

At Western Beach there were three Cormorants, a Common Sandpiper, a Sanderling three Black Redstarts and two White Wagtails. A White Wagtail was also present at Commonwealth Park.

The Eagle Owl was calling from the east side of the Rock.  Three Sandwich Terns were inside the Harbour, and a Kingfisher was observed at the Rowing Club.  A total of four Little Egrets were seen around the Mid Harbours Marina and the Detached Mole together with a Grey Heron.

12 Nov:  Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour throughout the day, with sunny intervals to the north, and south of the Rock.  Winds moderate easterly.

Ringing Totals

A Blackcap with a German ring from Radozfell was controlled 

A female Sparrowhawk was seen over Windmill Hill, with two Sparrowhawks and the Eagle Owl seen in the afternoon from Signal Station road.   A Booted Eagle was observed over Jews' Gate.

At the Detached Mole there were 11 Cormorants, two Grey Herons and a Little Egret.  Offshore there were six Gannets, with two Sandwich Terns inside the harbour.

In the evening a Woodcock flew out of the water catchment close to Jews' Gate.  At least 250 Crag Martin taking shelter at the northern end of Harbour Views Estate.

11 Nov:  Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a moderate easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

Small passage of finches south consisting mainly of Goldfinches, Linnets and Siskins.  A Sparrowhawk was seen over Levant Battery.

A dead Dartford Warbler was found at the Port department watchtower at Lathbury, with a live one at Europa foreshore.

Two Grey Herons, six Shags and three Little Egrets were seen in the harbour.  Another Shag and a Whimbrel observed below Parson's Lodge Battery.

An evening walk along Signal Station road revealed a Nightjar and the Eagle Owl calling.

10 Nov:  Clear skies with a light variable breeze becoming light easterly.

Ringing Totals

Over 100 Crag Martins sunning themselves on the cliff above Europa Advance road, and included a House Martin.  The total of Crag Martins at the Gorham's Cave Complex now stands at over 5000 birds.

A Siskin and a Redwing were seen along Mediterranean road. A few Siskins were heard heading south mid morning.  The Osprey was perched on the cliff at Little Bay, where three Goldfinches were present.  At camp Bay there was a Common Sandpiper, three Robins and seven Black Redstarts.

Two Great Tits were observed at the upper entrance to the Botanic Gardens.

Three Booted Eagles were seen over the Rock.

A mid afternoon walk to the nature reserve produced a Nightjar, three Sardinian Warblers, two Redwings, four Black Redstarts, a Chaffinch and a Greenfinch.

The Aloes above the Mosque contained several birds that included three Sardinian Warblers, a Dartford Warbler, two Blackbirds, three Black Redstarts, three Stonechats and a Blue Rock Thrush.

20 Gannets were observed at Europa point in a 30min period.

09 Nov:  Mainly clear skies with some westerly cloud.  Winds light to moderate westerly.

Ringing Totals

In the early afternoon a walk along Inglis way produced two Blue Tits, five Chiffchaffs, 13 Sardinian Warblers, three Wrens, eight Blackbirds, nine Song Thrushes, nine Robins, 10 Black Redstarts, two Ravens,  seven Chaffinches, four Greenfinches and two Goldfinches.

The Europa foreshore held three Shags and six Gannets offshore, two Turnstones, and a Common Sandpiper on the rocks, four Chiffchaffs, two Sardinian Warblers, two Blackbirds, a Robin, nine Black Redstarts, two Stonechats and seven Common Starlings.

A Firecrest was observed between St. Michael's cave and O'Hara's.

The usual Grey Heron and Little Egret were present by Mid harbours Marina.

08 Nov:  Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour, lasting until mid afternoon when westerly cloud with sunny intervals set in.  Winds moderate easterly becoming light variable by mid afternoon, and moderate south-westerly onwards.

A morning visit to Europa foreshore produced three Shags west, a Common Sandpiper, five Turnstones, three Sardinian Warblers, three Dartford Warblers, two Blackbirds, three Robins, five Black Redstarts, three Grey Wagtails, a Meadow Pipit, 100 Goldfinches heading south and a Linnet.

07 Nov:  Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a moderate to fresh easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

Grey Heron and Osprey perched on the cliff at Little Bay. A Little Egret was seen at Mid Harbours Marina.

A Kingfisher was present at Coaling Island.  Two Jackdaws were perched on the Fish market clock tower. 

Jackdaws at Fish market clock tower.                  T. Vinent.

Osprey feeding at the cliff at Little bay.    T. Vinent

06 Nov: Overcast skies with levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour in a moderate easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

An afternoon visit to North Front cemetery revealed three Chiffchaffs, two Sardinian Warblers, two Song Thrushes, a Robin, many Black Redstarts and two White Wagtails.

A Common Starling was observed at Montagu park. A Booted Eagle was seen over the Rock.

05 Nov:  Overcast skies with some sunny intervals after midday.  Winds moderate to light easterly, becoming light variable.

Another big Chiffchaff day with a scarce finch; a female Brambling.  Also a Blackcap with a French ring.

Brambling ringed at Jews' Gate

Ringing Totals

Two Ospreys were present at Little Bay. Two Little Egrets observed in the harbour. A flock of 10 Flamingoes flew south along the east side of the Rock.

An evening visit to Europa foreshore produced two Shags, four Turnstones, two Chiffchaffs, two Sardinian Warblers, two Stonechats, a White Wagtail 15 Spotless Starlings and a Common Starling.

Two's company. Osprey & Cormorant. S. Morgan

Osprey at Little Bay cliff. T. Vinent.

04 Nov:  Overcast skies with a moderate levanter cloud over the rock, town and harbour.  Clearing in the afternoon to bring some sunny intervals.

A good morning with lots of Chiffchaffs on the move, including the fourth ringed Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn.

Ringing Totals

The Osprey was again observed on the cliffs at Little Bay.

A Little Egret was present at the New Harbours Marina.

03 Nov:  Overcast skies with a fresh easterly and levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour.

Ringing Totals

Heavy finch passage over the Rock.  At North Front Cemetery there were four Sardinian Warblers, three Blackbirds, a Robin, eight Black Redstarts, two Stonechats, 70 Goldfinches in three flocks heading south and three Linnets.

In the early morning at Windmill Hill there were 23 Barbary Partridges, a Kestrel, a Peregrine, a Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaffs, over 300 Crag Martins, four Blackcaps, 38 Sardinian Warblers, a Dartford Warbler, 21 Blackbirds, 36 Song Thrushes, 18 Robins, 91 Black Redstarts, 18 Stonechats, a Blue Rock Thrush, 36 Meadow Pipits, six White Wagtails, two Common Starlings, four House Sparrows, 118 Chaffinches, 213 Serins, 85 Greenfinches, 253 Goldfinches, 34 Linnets and 64 Siskins.

02 Nov:  Overcast skies with a heavy levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour, some light showers during the morning.  Some sunny intervals away from the Rock and the south District.

Only the top nets were used for a couple of hours as showers stopped the ringing campaign.

Ringing Totals

Song Thrushes and Redwings seen and heard over Jews' Gate heading south, together with good finch passage, with many Chaffinches and a Hawfinch seen.  Also seen Skylark, a Woodlark and Siskins.

Along Signal Station road there were three Barbary Partridges, two Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, six Sardinian Warblers, two Blackbirds, two Song Thrushes, a Redwing, two Wrens, eight Robins, two very late Spotted Flycatchers, 14 Black Redstarts, a Stonechat, 41 Chaffinches, three Serins, 28 Greenfinches and 28 Goldfinches.

At Little Bay there were three Cormorants, two Shags and the Osprey on the cliff.

Europa Point held three Gannets, a Dartford Warbler, two Black Redstarts, five White Wagtails and 11 Goldfinches.

At Harding's Battery there was a Dartford Warbler.  The Nature Reserve is teeming with birds today.

In the afternoon along Mediterranean road there were over 40 Black Redstarts, and a Hawfinch among other wintering birds.

01 Nov:  Finally a day without rain, although the skies are overcast and the levanter cloud is over the Rock, town and harbour in a moderate easterly wind.

Ringing Totals

A pair of Dartford Warblers, two Blue Tits, a Blackcap, a Blackbird, three Robins and dozens of Black Redstarts everywhere.  Overhead Goldfinches heading south.were seen along Signal Station Road.

Dartford Warbler C. Fortuna

Dartford Warbler C. Fortuna

A Grey Wagtail was present at Commonwealth park.

A Cory's Shearwater was seen inside the harbour in poor condition.  It was rescued and taken into care.

Two Little Egrets were seen on the pontoon opposite Westview promenade.