17 Dec: Levanter cloud over the Rock and town in a fresh easterly wind.  Some sunny intervals in the afternoon away from the Rock.

In the early afternoon at Europa Point there were two Gannets east, four Cormorants,(two east two west), three Shags east, 40 Black-headed Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls, (two 1st/winters feeding below the Point, and another west offshore), three Lesser Black-backed Gulls east and five Sandwich Terns offshore.

16 Dec: Patchy easterly cloud with increasing sunny intervals in the afternoon.  Winds gale force easterly becoming strong in the afternoon.

A single Gannet and three Sandwich Terns off Eastern beach.  A dead Griffon Vulture was washed up on the beach bearing a blue colour ring with white letters 2LA.

14 Dec: Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour with westerly cloud as well.  Winds moderate to fresh easterly.

At Europa Point there were three Gannets, three Balearic Shearwaters, three Cormorants, two Shags, a Grey Heron, six Black-headed Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Black Redstart.

13 Dec: Levanter cloud over the Rock, town and harbour with some high cloud.  Winds moderate to fresh easterly. 

The Little Egret was present at Commonwealth Park, with another new Harbours Marina and two Grey Herons. An Osprey was observed around Catalan Bay heading south.

Grey Heron.                               T. Vinent.

11 Dec: Cloudy skies with sunny intervals in the morning, with cloud increasing and some light drizzle.  Winds moderate easterly.  

A grounded Griffon Vulture was picked up and sent to the Raptor Rehabilitation Unit.

10 Dec: Clear skies with a moderate westerly wind.

A Storm Petrel was picked up from Customs House near the airfield, and was taken into care.  The bird seemed concussed, and after a short time fully recovered and was released.

Storm Petrel recovered and then released.  V. Robba.

The Little Egret was observed again at Commonwealth Park.

At North Front Cemetery there were two Sardinian Warblers, a Robin, four Black Redstarts, two Stonechats and three White Wagtails.

09 Dec:  Clear skies with a moderate to fresh northerly wind.

There were two Common Starlings near Rosia, and a Griffon Vulture was observed around Mediterranean Steps.

Over 200 Black-headed Gulls at the cliff at Europa Point together with a Grey Heron, and a Little Egret at Commonwealth Park.

The Turnstones at Europa foreshore have increased to 10 birds.  Also seen were three Gannets, three Shags, a Whimbrel and four Black Redstarts.

08 Dec: Clear skies with a moderate to fresh north-westerly wind.

At North Front Cemetery there were single Chiffchaff, five Sardinian Warblers, two Robins, seven Black Redstarts and three White Wagtails.

An hours watch at Europa point produced four Gannets, 203 Balearic Shearwaters, 122 Black-headed Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and four Sandwich Terns.

The Balearic Shearwaters were heading out of the Mediterranean escaping the cold and wet weather further north off Cataluna.

Four Little Egrets and a Grey Heron were observed at the Detached Mole, with a Common Sandpiper at the New Harbours Marina, and a Grey Wagtail at Western beach.

07 Dec:  Overcast with high cloud but hazy sunshine.  Cloud increasing in the late afternoon in a moderate westerly wind.

There were a pair of Sanderlings at Western beach.

Sanderling at Western beach.          C. Fortuna

06 Dec:  Clear skies with a light variable to light north breeze.

Birds seen from Europa foreshore; 5 Gannets, three Shags, a Cormorant, a Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, seven Turnstones, seven Sandwich Terns, two Chiffchaffs, two Black Redstarts, two Stonechats and two Goldfinches.

Common Sandpiper at Europa foreshore.                      C. Fortuna.

05 Dec:  Clear skies with a light variable to light north breeze.

A morning visit to Europa Point produced two Gannets, a Cormorant, a Shag, 120 Black-headed Gulls resting on the cliff, and two Mediterranean Gulls, 2nd/w and adult.

At North Front Cemetery there were single Chiffchaff, three Sardinian Warblers, six Black Redstarts, two Stonechats and a White Wagtail.

04 Dec:  Mainly clear skies with some westerly cloud.  Winds moderate north-west.

At Europa foreshore in the late afternoon there were single Whimbrel, five Turnstones, a 2nd/w Mediterranean Gull, two Chiffchaffs, two Sardinian Warblers, two Black Redstarts and two Stonechats.  Black-headed Gulls were not counted.

A pair of Tawny Owls were observed near the Mount gardens.

03 Dec:  Mainly clear skies with some high cloud.  Winds light westerly.

The Yellow-browed Warbler, first heard on the 17th November at Alameda Estate, was seen and heard again at this site.

A Golden Plover was observed on the beach at Sandy Bay.  This is only the second record of this species.  The first was seen and photographed beside the Europa Point lighthouse on the 27^th December 2001.

Two Ospreys were also seen over Sandy Bay in the morning.

02 Dec:  Overcast skies with some small sunny intervals in the early afternoon, but cloud increasing from the west as a frontal system passed.  Winds light easterly becoming southerly by midday and light variable to light westerly in the afternoon.

A flock of five Sanderlings were spotted at Eastern Beach.

An afternoon visit to North Front cemetery produced five Chiffchaffs, five Sardinian Warblers, two Blackbirds, eight Black Redstarts, a Stonechat and a White Wagtail.

At Europa foreshore there were a flock of eight Cormorants heading east, two Whimbrels, eight Turnstones, four Chiffchaffs, two Sardinian Warblers, two Blackbirds, a Robin, three Black Redstarts and three Stonechats.

01 Dec:  Overcast skies in the region throughout the day, with low cloud from the east.  Winds moderate easterly.

Five Shags were present at Little bay rocks.

A Sparrowhawk landed with prey at the foot of the cliff at Camp bay.