the gibraltar ornithological & natural history...

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

Gibraltar

Number 9

2009Bird Report

GIBRALTAR BIRD REPORT

2009

Editor: Dr Ernest GarciaEmail: [email protected]

Records Officer& Chairman of Rarities Committee: Charles E. Perez

Email: [email protected]

General Secretary: Dr John CortesEmail: [email protected]

Published 2010 by the

GIBRALTAR ORNITHOLOGICALAND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

PO Box 843Gibraltar

Tel. 00 350 200 72639Fax. 00 350 200 74022

Email: [email protected] Site: www.gonhs.org

© Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society 2010

GONHS 3

Bird Report 20094

GONHS

CONTENTS Editorial. 2

Acknowledgements.

BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR 2009Compiled by Ernest Garcia

Review of the YearThe weather 2009The Systematic ListOmission from the Gibraltar Bird Report 2008List of Contributors to Birds in Gibraltar 2009

A House Bunting Emberiza sahari nesting in a palm tree in Tangier, MoroccoJohn Cortes

Probable predation of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni by Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellisin Algeciras, Cádiz, SpainJohn Cortes & Antonio Rizquez

A migrant Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus swims to SpainJohn Cortes

Gibraltar Ringing Report 2009 Charles Perez

Appendices.Appendix 1 : Daily counts of migrant raptors and storks.Appendix 2 : Monthly totals of seabirds at Europa Point.

Contributing to the Gibraltar Bird Report

The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Immature Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla at Gibraltar, February 2009 (Keith Bensusan)

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6 Bird Report 2009

EDITORIALDr Ernest Garcia

HAVE A LOOK AT THIS .....

The natural world is a never-ending source of wonderand pleasure to me and no doubt to all who read this Report.Yet is a closed book to so many people. It is true that themany excellent documentaries that regularly appear on tele-vision have brought the wildlife of the most remote corners of

the planet to our living rooms. Such programmes have surely played an enormous partin creating and sustaining an awareness of the need to conserve nature and naturalresources and they have led to widespread support for key organisations such as theWorldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)and, on a local scale, our own GONHS. Still, observing wildlife at first hand is somethingthat many people seldom or never do, not because of lack of interest but because theyare unaware of what is on offer.

All this was brought home to me – and not for the first time – when I spent thebetter part of a month in Extremadura last spring. I often stopped at the public viewpointat the Salto del Gitano in Monfragüe national park. Here the Río Tajo passes through anarrow gap in a rocky ridge. The viewpoint overlooks Peña Falcón, a cliff face on the farside of the river that is a sort of high-rise apartment for a remarkable diversity of birds.The most obvious are the 100-or-so nests of Griffon Vultures but there are also nestingEgyptian Vultures, Peregrine Falcons, Eagle Owls, Ravens, Red-billed Choughs and awide range of smaller birds, including White-rumped Swifts. A further highlight is theopportunity to see nesting Black Storks. This year the traditional Black Stork nest site hadbeen usurped by Griffons but the storks nested nearby on a small rocky island at the footof the cliff. They were obvious enough to the trained naked eye but the great majority ofthe many human visitors who stopped at the viewpoint on their travels never noticedthem.

Black Storks at their nest. Monfragüe, Cáceres, June 2010 (Ernest Garcia)

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I set up my telescope and zoomed-in on the nest. I then invited people to take alook. Without exception they were keen to do so and once they had seen the stork pair,with their three, fluffy, yellow-billed chicks, they were invariably excited and clamoured fortheir friends to take a look also. For many it was clearly a pleasure to see a fairly rare birdthat they knew only from the park signposts, if they had heard of it at all. It was also pos-sible to show them other sights through the telescope, most often the Griffons on theirledges, also spectacular to see at close quarters. All this engendered often noisy discus-sion on the birds, the national park, what else to look for; the chances of seeing a wolf(nil), an otter (moderate) or an Imperial Eagle (high: there was a nest nearby), and muchmore besides. It was all very pleasing and the visitors made it clear that I had helped to!make their day".

I often make a point of showing people things that have caught my eye and I amsure that many of you do so as well. It is highly rewarding and hugely worthwhile in help-ing keep the general public !on side". Sometimes too such an experience may encouragea person to develop a lasting interest. We are very well placed in Gibraltar to show ourspectacular wildlife to others and, indeed, this is being done in a variety of ways: thinkdolphin cruises, watching raptors at Jews" Gate and the activities organised by GONHSannually on Eurobirdwatch Day and on European Bat Night. More can and should bedone, however. There should be nature trails on the Upper Rock, information boards atmore key watch points such as Europa Point, the summit cable car station and the UpperGalleries, and guided tours of wildlife sites should be on offer. The short-term rewards areobvious to participants and providers alike. The long-term benefits could be immense.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSOnce again I am grateful to the GONHS Bird Recorder, Charles Perez for sup-

plying the records and also for the annual ringing report. The interesting short notes con-tributed this year by John Cortes are especially valued and I urge you to participate infuture Reports by submitting your own observations. Useful comments on sections of theReport were supplied by Keith Bensusan and Charles Perez. I also thank our photogra-phers Paul Acolina, Keith Bensusan, Stewart Brittenden, Laura Glenister, Kaelan Joyce,Charlie Perez, Eric Shaw and Todor Todorov for their excellent and pleasing contribu-tions. Many people submitted records during the year or participated in ringing: theiressential efforts are acknowledged in the List of Contributors on Page 43.

Bee-eaters (Todor Todorov)

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BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR 2009Compiled by Ernest Garcia

Review of the yearIn terms of diversity 2009 can only be described as a poor year, with just

142 species recorded, 14 fewer than the annual average since 2001. The year-to-year variation in the number of species seen at Gibraltar is attributable to thevagaries of wind and weather, in particular whether or not these combined to pro-duce falls of migrants – which they did not in 2009 -, and to the degree of observ-er effort. The latter left something to be desired with relatively little watch kept atEuropa Point and poor coverage of the autumn raptor movements. All this apart,there were some very interesting records during the year and full details of all ofthem are included in the Systematic List.

Pride of place probably goes to the young Baillon"s Crake that flew throughthe open window of an apartment block, to the surprise and mystification of theresidents. Fortunately it was photographed, allowing it to be identified as the first-ever of this marshland species to be recorded in Gibraltar.

Another category of first record was the successful nesting of a pair ofSpotted Flycatchers in the Botanic Gardens, the first known instance that thespecies has bred locally. It is surprising that Spotted Flycatchers have not beenfound breeding before, since the Botanic Gardens and a few other large gardenssuch as that of !The Mount" would seem to offer ideal habitat, and migrant SpottedFlycatchers occur there annually. They are, of course, better late than never andit is pleasing to be able to report some good news about a bird some of whosenorthern European populations have been in sharp decline recently.

The first novel event of the birding year was an influx of storm-drivenKittiwakes from the Atlantic that began in late January. This !wreck" was on a verylarge scale across the Iberian Peninsula and in northwest Africa and it resulted inhigh mortality in some areas. Numbers were seen at Gibraltar during Februaryespecially and in early March, chiefly returning west to the Atlantic.

Duck species are seldom seen at Gibraltar, where there are no habitats toattract them to linger. Those that do occur are generally !fly-bys" and 2009 sawseveral interesting records, including three small flocks of Common Shelducks inlate autumn and the second-ever record of Pintails: a flock of 60 birds inDecember.

The migrant raptor counts at Gibraltar in spring continue to record increas-ing numbers of some species, in some cases associated with real increases in thepopulations involved (Bensusan et al. 2007). Spring 2009 set new records forGriffon Vulture, Montagu"s Harrier and Sparrowhawk and saw the second-highest

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Female Sardinian Warbler (Paul Acolina)

seasonal totals recorded for both Short-toed and Booted Eagles. The spring totalof over 17,000 Black Kites was also the second-highest spring count and theautumn Black Kite total of over 12,000 birds was the third-highest autumn count.White Storks seldom occur at Gibraltar itself in very large numbers but a flock of103 on March 5th was unusual only in that the birds landed in Gibraltar, onWindmill Hill, and stayed for several hours; an unprecedented observation thatwas undoubtedly due to the appalling weather conditions that were prevailing.

Interesting observations during the year included a Goshawk, threeMerlins, three Eleonora"s Falcons, three Lanner Falcons, two small flocks ofCranes, two small flocks also of Avocets and a flock of 14 Spanish Sparrows onspring migration. A Coal Tit in the Botanic Gardens on Mar 13th was the seventhlocal record. Passerine migrants occurred in mainly unexceptional numbers butthere was a larger than usual influx of Song Thrushes in autumn.

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WEATHER SUMMARY 2009Data provided by courtesy of the Meteorological Office, Gibraltar

A relatively settled year until an extremely stormy spell in December heral-ded an unusually wet winter.

Temperatures once again were close to average. Mean temperatures were0.3ºC warmer than the long-term mean of 18.5ºC. There was a relatively cool spellin January, with six days in which the mean temperature fell below 10ºC, as alsooccurred on one day in December. The coldest minimum air temperature of theyear, 4.0ºC, was recorded on January 10th. Maximum temperatures exceeded30ºC on 22 days between June 15th and August 24th, the year maximum of 35.7ºCoccurring on July 30th.

The annual rainfall (918mm) was 20% above average, although onlyFebruary during the first half of the year was relatively wet, especially February 1stwhen 44.8mm of rain were recorded. The summer drought, defined as the conti-nuous period in which daily rainfall did not exceed 1mm, began on May 10th andextended for 139 days to September 25th, although it was broken on June 15th byan unseasonal fall of 6.8mm of rain. It came to a definitive end on September 26thwith 47.0mm, three times the mean September rainfall. October and especiallyNovember were relatively dry, and so was the first half of December. The secondhalf of December was exceptionally wet and included seven days with over 30mmof rain, with a torrential fall of 128.0mm on December 25th, making it the third wet-test December on record.

Annual Statistics

Variable 2009 Average 1968-97Rainfall 918 mm 768 mmMean temperature 18.6 °C 18.2 °CAnnual maximum temperature 35.7 °C -Annual minimum temperature 4.0 °C -Annual sunshine 2,893 hours 2,710 hoursWesterly winds days -Easterly winds days -Variable winds days -Mean wind speed 11.3 knots 12.5 knotsThunderstorms 16 days -Fog 25 days 21 days

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Wind directionNumber of days per month with predominantly westerly, easterly or variable winds.

Winds have an easterly or westerly component almost invariably.Days when the wind changed are assigned as assessed by the Meteorological Office (contrary to the

practice in earlier Reports in which they were simply assigned to the final wind direction).

Month Westerly Easterly Variable January 25 4 2February 11 12 5March 10 19 2April 22 3 5May 14 14 3June 17 11 2July 16 9 6August 9 21 1September 12 15 3October 10 10 5November 17 5 8December 22 4 5

Westerly winds (51% of days) clearly predominated over easterlies (37%) but therewere relatively frequent days of calm or light variable winds (12%). Despite the fre-quency of calm conditions there were westerly gales on three days in January, onFebruary 1st, on two days in March, and on no fewer than seven days in December,these last accompanied by torrential rain and by thunderstorms on six days. Therewere easterly gales on March 17th and 18th. The strongest winds of the year wereon March 4th, when they gusted to 55 knots.

Days when wind was predominantly

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THE SYSTEMATIC LIST 2009Records marked * are subject to consideration by the Rarities Panel.

IMPORTANT NOTES.

Status definitions.

Vagrant: Exceptional at any time in southern Iberia (including Gibraltar), e.g. Allen"sGallinule.

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. Alpine Choughand Fieldfare.

Occasional: Seen infrequently and not annually e.g. Rufous Bush Chat.

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

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

Counts of migrant raptors. (See Appendix 1 for daily totals).Gibraltar only sees a variable fraction of the passage of raptors across the Strait. Mostoccur during westerly winds, when a higher proportion of the movements occur at thewestern end of the Strait. Harriers, falcons and the Osprey show only a limited tenden-cy to seek short sea crossings and so their totals are invariably low. A daily watch iskept during the spring migration period.

Seabird observations. (See Appendix 2 for monthly totals). Most records come from seawatching at Europa Point, which is carried out frequentlybut not daily. The numbers and species recorded vary considerably according to sea-son. Wind direction is also a key variable since migrating seabirds tend to coast intoheadwinds and are then easily visible from shore. Wintering seabirds may spendextended periods at Gibraltar and so the number of sightings or contacts often exceedsthe numbers of individuals actually involved.

Birds ringed.Most ringing takes place at Jews" Gate, at the southern end of the Upper Rock NatureReserve. References to birds ringed are to birds ringed there unless otherwise stated.

Names. We follow the decisions on classification and nomenclature adopted by the BritishOrnithologists" Union. However, the adjective !Eurasian" is omitted from English nameswhere no ambiguity results. Spanish names are those favoured by the SociedadEspañola de Ornitología.

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Common Shelduck Tarro Blanco Tadorna tadornaLocal vagrant.Three small flocks flew south off Sandy Bay: 15 on Nov 25th, five on Dec 5th and14 on Dec 8th (Sean Monaghan). Seventh to ninth records, and the first since 30thJanuary 1995.

Pintail Ánade Rabudo Anas acutaLocal vagrant.A flock of about 60, including some 20 males, flew south off Sandy Bay on Dec 2nd(Sean Monaghan). Second record: the first was a flock of about 100 flying east offEuropa Point on Feb 25th 1991.

Common Scoter Negrón Común Melanitta nigraOccasional in winter.Four flew east at Europa Point on Feb 24th. Flocks of 30 were off Sandy Bay on bothDec 1st and Dec 5th.

Barbary Partridge Perdiz Moruna Alectoris barbaraResident.Very few records were submitted but up to five were seen together on Windmill Hill,the Great Sand Slope, Governor"s Lookout and the Mediterranean Steps. Thelargest count was eight birds on Windmill Hill on Sep 13th. The winter bird count onJan 12th found 23 birds, including six at Rock Gun and six at Windmill Hill.

Pintail pair at the London Wetland Centre (Ernest Garcia)

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Common Quail Codorniz Común Coturnix coturnixRegular migrant.Single individuals were observed in the Botanic Gardens on Aug 26th and at theNorth Front Cemetery on Sep 26th.

Cory!s Shearwater Pardela Cenicienta Calonectris diomedeaCommon in summer and on passage. A few remain in winter.Once again the spring immigration into the Mediterranean was scarcely apparent atGibraltar and only 77 individuals were counted in 15 hours of watch duringFebruary/March. Birds were much more apparent in summer and autumn and 1,289 were counted in50 hours between Jun 14th and Oct 25th. Most of those seen were not on the move,however, but instead formed feeding concentrations off Europa Point that includedabout 200 on Sep 28th and Oct 4th and over 100 on four other dates. A few were offSandy Bay throughout November and two were there on Dec 5th.

Balearic Shearwater Pardela Balear Puffinus mauretanicusCommon offshore, including regular passage.Very few indeed were seen at Europa Point early in the year, just seven in 19 hoursduring January/March, between Jan 25th and Mar 12th. A westward movement wasseen during 23 hours of watch in June/July, with 219 counted between Jun 14th andJul 15th. There were very few later observations from the Point: just ten birdsbetween Oct 6th and Dec 26th, although little watch was kept. However, up to 12were seen on several dates off Sandy Bay throughout November and six were thereon Dec 13th.

Levantine Shearwater Pardela Mediterranea Puffinus yelkouanRegular, mainly on passage in late spring and autumn.Single birds were seen off Europa Point during standard watches on Aug 6th, Sep13th and Oct 3rd. In addition, a total of 13 were seen from the Point on four datesbetween Sep 21st and 28th. Several were off Sandy Bay on Nov 22nd.

Northern Gannet Alcatraz Atlántico Morus bassanusCommon offshore, especially in autumn and winter and on passage.Birds were often evident off Europa Point early in the year, with 393 recorded in 19hours during January–March, including 84 on Jan 25th and 60 on Mar 12th. Therewere 40 sheltering in Little Bay on Jan 24th. The spring passage was not monitoredbut some birds were reported every month until numbers increased again inOctober, when 293 were seen in nine hours, including 120 on Oct 3rd. Later in thewinter 150 were seen off the Point in two hours on Dec 26th.

Great Cormorant Cormorán Grande Phalacrocorax carboRegular in small numbers, mainly winter.Small numbers were present during both winter periods. The winter bird count onJan 12th found seven birds off Europort. A few were reported at coastal sitesthroughout February and March, with a maximum of seven at Little Bay on Feb 6th.Apparent migrants were seen on the move from Jews" Gate: 16 on Mar 29th, sevenon Mar 30th and a late bird on Apr 27th.

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The first autumn record was one at Europa Point on Sep 14th. Two were in the har-bour on Oct 13th. Small numbers were present throughout November andDecember, the largest count being seven at Sandy Bay on Nov 24th.

Shag Cormorán Moñudo Phalacrocorax aristotelisSeveral pairs are resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found three in Camp Bay. Timed watches atEuropa Point 30 in 79 hours during the year, a contact rate of 0.38 birds/hour, a smallimprovement on 2008 (0.34 birds per hour). In addition, five were seen together fromthe Point on Sep 22nd. One was in Little Bay on Sep 7th.

Cattle Egret Garcilla Bueyera Bubulcus ibisOccasional migrant and occasional in winter.One was at Europa Point on Jan 25th. A flock of 11 flew south over the harbour onApr 27th.

Little Egret Garceta Común Egretta garzettaOccasional migrant and occasional in winter.One was at Europa Point on Sep 24th.

Grey Heron Garza Real Ardea cinereaOccasional migrant and occasional in winter.One was seen flying north on May 1st. Southbound birds were reported on Sep 19th(6 birds), Sep 26th (2) and Nov 23rd (1).

Mediterranean Shags P. a. desmarestii (Stewart Brittenden)

Purple Heron Garza Imperial Ardea purpureaOccasional migrant.One flew south over the harbour on Sep 14th.

Black Stork Cigüeña Negra Ciconia nigraCommon migrant.Spring birds totalled 195, between Mar 1st and May 12th, including 24 on Mar 21st,22 on Apr 26th and 36 on Apr 28th. There were 24 in autumn between Aug 31st andOct 19th, including ten on Oct 2nd.

White Stork Cigüeña Blanca Ciconia ciconiaCommon migrant, but most bypass Gibraltar to the west.Northbound birds during the first half of the year totalled 461, on widely scattereddates between Jan 25th and Jun 5th. They included 250 on Apr 25th. A flock of 103arrived in strong winds and rain on Mar 5th and landed to rest on Windmill Hill, wherethey remained for several hours. This was clearly a highly exceptional occurrencesince there are no similar observations on record, possibly because White Storksare reluctant to cross the Strait at all when conditions are less than favourable.

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White Storks about to land on Windmill Hill (Eric Shaw)

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There were no records during the southbound passage period but 35 northboundbirds arrived on Nov 2nd followed by 65 on Nov 7th.

Greater Flamingo Flamenco Común Phoenicopterus roseusIrregular migrant, occurring most years.A flock of 32 was seen flying north up the Bay on Apr 1st, as did a flock of 57 on Apr28th. A flock of 20 flew south off Eastern Beach on Jun 18th.

Honey Buzzard Abejero Europeo Pernis apivorus Common migrant.The spring passage followed a typical pattern but unsuitable winds in early Maymeant that once again the peak movements bypassed Gibraltar to the west. Theseasonal total was a modest 4,435 birds, between Apr 21st and Jun 7th except fortwo birds on each of Jun 23rd, 26th and 28th and a late straggler on Jul 14th. Thelargest day counts were 1,542 on May 10th and 457 on May 18th.Southbound birds over Gibraltar totalled 10,592, all but two of them between Aug20th and Sep 23rd. Single stragglers were seen on Oct 4th and Oct 18th. Most wereduring the customary peak passage of the first week in September, with 3,000 onSep 1st and 6,400 on Sep 2nd.

Black Kite Milano Negro Milvus migransCommon migrant.The northward passage was strongly evident and totalled 17,594 birds, the secondhighest local spring count. The first was on the very early date of Jan 7th and therewere a further ten birds between Jan 24th and Jan 28th. The principal movements

White Storks resting on Windmill Hill Flats (Laura Glenister)

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occurred as usual from March to May, with stragglers during the second half of Juneand one on Jul 3rd. There were significant day counts spread throughout the sea-son, including 2,418 on Mar 1st, 1,275 on Mar 6th, 2,644 on Mar 21st, 1,214 on Apr12th and 1,283 on May 11th.The southward passage was also strong and 12,203 were counted, between Jul13th and Sep 23rd, except for an exceptional very late bird on Nov 6th. Day countsof 2,201 on Aug 1st, 4,978 on Aug 7th and 3,366 on Aug 8th helped to make this thethird-largest seasonal count locally.

Red Kite Milano Real Milvus milvusAnnual but very scarce migrant.Only one was recorded, on Oct 8th.

Egyptian Vulture Alimoche Común Neophron percnopterusRegular migrant.Spring birds totalled 93, between Feb 19th and Jun 3rd, with day maxima of 12 onMar 6th and 13 on Apr 25th. There were 37 in autumn between Aug 5th and Sep10th, including 29 on Aug 31st.

Griffon Vulture Buitre Leonado Gyps fulvusCommon migrant.The spring count of 636 birds was by far the highest spring total yet recorded atGibraltar, the previous highest having been 392 birds in 2005. They passed betweenApr 12th and Jun 23rd and included 151 on Apr 29th and 249 on May 15th.Sightings during the southward passage totalled 451 birds, between Oct 2nd andNov 30th, including 380 on Oct 18th and 58 on Oct 19th. As usual, these birds turnedback and did not cross the Strait at Gibraltar. In addition, there were single birds overthe Rock on Dec 1st, 3rd and 9th.A rehabilitated bird was ringed and released.

Juvenile Egyptian Vulture (Paul Acolina)

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Short-toed Eagle Culebrera Europea Circaetus gallicusCommon migrant. Occasional in summer and has wintered.One was over North Front on Jan 10th and continued into Spain. The spring total of1,550 birds was the second highest on record and due very largely to an exception-al day count of 1,060 birds on Mar 7th. The next-highest day count was only 78, onMar 21st. There were no February records, which is unusual. Birds passed betweenMar 1st and Jul 13th, the usual late individuals at the end of the season totalling 16in June and eight in July.Autumn sightings totalled 214, between Aug 4th and Oct 30th, including 90 on Aug17th and 66 on Aug 31st. Most, if not all, did not cross the Strait at Gibraltar. Onewas over the Upper Rock on Dec 8th.Three rehabilitated birds were ringed and released.

Marsh Harrier Aguilucho Lagunero Circus aeruginosusCommon migrant.Spring migrants totalled 188, between Mar 1st and Jun 3rd, including 25 on Mar 29thand 22 on Apr 1st. Only 28 were reported in autumn, between Sep 1st and Oct 3rd.

Hen Harrier Aguilucho Pálido Circus cyaneusRegular but scarce migrant.Seven birds were seen, all in spring, between Mar 29th and Apr 30th, including twoon Apr 13th.

Montagu!s Harrier Aguilucho Cenizo Circus pygargusCommon migrant.This species is never abundant at Gibraltar and the spring total of 198 birds is a newspring record, the previous largest being 173 birds in 1972. Passage was seenbetween Mar 21st and Apr 30th, including 47 on Apr 10th. There were 33 in autumn,between Aug 5th and Sep 20th, including 15 on Sep 2nd.

Goshawk Azor Común Accipiter gentilisOccasional, migrant.A juvenile was over the harbour reclamation area on Aug 9th. It eventually returnednorth.

Juvenile Goshawk (Todor Todorov)

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Sparrowhawk Gavilán Común Accipiter nisusCommon migrant.Spring records totalled 1,094 birds, one more than in 2008 and hence a new localrecord. However, the figure includes single birds on Jan 31st and Feb 3rd that mayhave been wintering. Passage proper was seen from Mar 1st to May 24th, with peakcounts of 135 on Mar 31st and 152 on Apr 2nd. Single birds were ringed on Apr 10thand 24th.Southbound birds totalled 131, between Aug 20th and Oct 11th, including 41 on Sep20th.

Common Buzzard Busardo Ratonero Buteo buteoRegular but scarce migrant, formerly common. Occasional in winter.There were seven records of single birds between Mar 7th and Apr 26th. Single birdswere also seen on Oct 7th and 30th.

Booted Eagle Aguililla Calzada Aquila pennataCommon migrant. Occasional in winter.Spring birds totalled 1,538 between Mar 17th and Jun 8th, with a straggler on Jul8th. This is the second-highest local spring count. Day counts included 176 on Apr2nd, 116 on Apr 3rd, 108 on Apr 12th and 79 on May 15th.Southbound birds totalled 1,018 between Aug 5th and Nov 7th, including 365 on Aug31st and 120 on Sep 13th. Most were seen to return north and did not cross theStrait at Gibraltar. In addition, one was over the Rock on Dec 1st, 3rd and 8th.

Osprey Águila Pescadora Pandion haliaetusRegular migrant and occasional in winter. Bred formerly.Only 21 were reported in spring, between Mar 21st and Apr 29th. There were alsosix between Sep 2nd and Sep 20th.

Lesser Kestrel Cernícalo Primilla Falco naumanniScarce breeding species and regular but scarce on passage. Occasional in winter.One was at the North Face breeding colony on Feb 21st. Fifteen occupied neststhere fledged only 25 young between them. There were 30 birds at the colony on Jul24th. Only 12 apparent migrants were seen, between Mar 3rd and May 1st.

Common Kestrel Cernícalo Vulgar Falco tinnunculusResident. Common migrant.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found seven birds, five of them on the UpperRock. The now well-established local population makes it hard to distinguishmigrants but 30 apparent passage birds were reported in spring, between Mar 20thand May 1st. A total of 11 were over the Rock on Sep 19th.

Merlin Esmerejón Falco columbariusOccasional migrant.There were three records of single birds; a female on Mar 29th, a male on Apr 17thand a female on Apr 27th.

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Hobby Alcotán Europeo Falco subbuteoRegular but scarce migrant in spring, scarcer in autumn.Spring migrants totalled 30, between Apr 7th and May 15th, including nine on May1st. One was over the Rock on Sep 19th.

Eleonora!s Falcon Halcón de Eleonora Falco eleonoraeRegular but scarce in late summer.There were three sightings of single birds over the Rock; on Apr 25th , Sep 2nd andSep 16th.

Lanner Falcon* Halcón Borní Falco biarmicusRare migrant.A juvenile was reported on Jun 23rd and another bird was seen on Sep 19th. Anadult female arrived from the Strait on Sep 30th and continued north.

Peregrine Falcon Halcón Peregrino Falco peregrinusResident. Some migrants may occur.Only two individuals were seen during the winter bird count on Jan 12th, reinforcingthe impression that at least some of the local birds winter away from Gibraltar. Sevenpairs fledged a total of 20 young.

Baillon!s Crake Polluela Chica Porzana pusillaLocal vagrant*.A strange bird flew through the open window of an eighth floor flat at Harbour Views,a residential area near the harbour, during the night on Oct 16th. The surprisedowner, Kaelan Joyce, took several photos with his mobile phone camera. He then

Male Lesser Kestrel at nest hole entrance (Paul Acolina)

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contacted a friend who came to pick up the bird, so that it could be released the fol-lowing day. The finders assumed it to be a Quail Coturnix coturnix but the photo-graphs show that it was a juvenile Baillon's Crake, the first ever record for Gibraltar.

Baillon"s Crake is a very local breeding species in Iberia, where the populationrecently may number no more than a few tens of pairs (Dies 2005), although it ishard to detect and easily overlooked. It is most numerous and regular in the wet-lands of the Guadalquivir estuary but it also nests in the wetlands of eastern Iberia,in the mid Ebro valley and occasionally elsewhere. Some remain in winter at Doñanabut most migrate to and from sub-Saharan Africa. The Gibraltar record is likely tohave involved a migrant in transit.

Common Crane Grulla Común Grus grusOccasional and irregular migrant.A flock of 13 flew north on Mar 9th and two were over the isthmus on Nov 5th.

Avocet Avoceta Común Recurvirostra avosettaOccasional, migrant.Six flew west at Europa Point on Aug 19th and 28 flew south there on Aug 27th.

The first Baillon!s Crake found in Gibraltar (Kaelan Joyce)

23GONHS

Stone-curlew Alcaraván Común Burhinus oedicnemusOccasional migrant.Single birds were on Windmill Hill on Sep 1st and 6th.

Whimbrel Zarapito Trinador Numenius phaeopusRegular migrant and winter.One was at Europa Point on Sep 24th. One was on the Seven Sisters rocks off theSouth Mole on Oct 18th.

Turnstone Vuelvepiedras Común Arenaria interpresRegular, mainly in winter.Five were on the rocks at the Europa Point foreshore on Jan 5th.

Arctic Skua Págalo Parásito Stercorarius parasiticusPresent all year.One was off Sandy Bay on Nov 21st. This species has been very uncommon local-ly in recent years with only two records (2 birds) during 2006–2009, compared with44 during 2001–2005.

Great Skua Págalo Grande Stercorarius skuaPresent all year. Common on passage.In total 23 were reported at Europa Point during the year: two in January and singlebirds in February, May and October. There were 18 off Europa Point in two hours onDec 26th, a notable count for a winter date. In addition one was seen from Jews"Gate on Mar 30th and one was off Europa Point on Apr 19th. Single birds were seenoff Sandy Bay on Dec 3rd, 10th and 13th.

Avocet. Lagunas de Villafáfila, Zamora, May 2010 (Ernest Garcia)

24 Bird Report 2009

Black-legged Kittiwake Gaviota Tridáctila Rissa tridactylaRegular but scarce in winter.Possibly the largest-ever !wreck" of Kittiwakes recorded in the Iberian Peninsulaoccurred in late January 2009 and was also evident on the Moroccan Atlantic coastand in the Canary Islands, as weak, storm-driven birds arrived inshore and eveninland. The latter included hundreds of dead and dying birds at reservoirs in Huesca,Aragón, far from the sea in the Pyrenean approaches (Noticiario Ornitológico,Ardeola, 2009). Thousands of birds appeared inshore off western Iberia but somewere seen at Gibraltar, especially in February when the survivors were flying westthrough the Strait back to the Atlantic.The first birds appeared in Gibraltar Bay on Jan 23rd, when 25 were seen in the har-bour at Coaling Island. A further 12 were at Europa Point on the 23rd. A sizeable con-centration gathered off Little Bay on Jan 24th, when 120 were counted there as wellas eight at Europa Point. Four were at Europa Point on Jan 25th. Kittiwakes wereseen at Europa Point throughout February and 239 were counted in 11 hours, mostof them during a concentrated westward movement between Feb 22nd and 24th,including 112 in one hour on Feb 24th. The last observation was of eight at EuropaPoint on Mar 12th.

Black-headed Gull Gaviota Reidora Chroicocephalus ridibundusCommon migrant and common in winter.Watches at Europa Point found 197 in 21 hours during January–April, including 50offshore on both Feb 22nd and Feb 28th. There were also 40 with the Kittiwakes inLittle Bay on Jan 24th. Remarkably few were reported at Europa Point during theremainder of the year, just 23 in 53 hours between June and December, althoughvery little watching was done late in the year. However, up to 30 were off Sandy Baythroughout November and into December.

Mediterranean Gull Gaviota Cabecinegra Larus melanocephalusCommon migrant and common in winter.Two were in Little Bay on Jan 24th. A total of 53 were counted at Europa Point in 11hours in February, most of them flying east. One was at Europa Point on Mar 26th.Post-breeding westward passage amounted to just 26 birds in 37 hours during

Kittiwakes at Gibraltar, January 2009 (Charles Perez)

25GONHS

June–August. Later in the year there were 17 flying west in three hours during Oct17th – 25th. Up to six were off Sandy Bay on several dates in November. A count of48 was made in one hour at Europa Point on Dec 26th.

Audouin!s Gull Gaviota de Audouin Larus audouiniiCommon on passage. Some remain in winter.Twenty were recorded from Europa Point during February/March. One was on thecricket pitch there on Feb 24th and 13 were at the same site among Yellow-leggedGulls on Mar 22nd. The post-breeding movement was most evident at Europa Pointin June when 376 were counted in 12 hours, including 140 on Jun 27th and 212 onJun 28th. There were a further 148 in 11 hours in July but only 43 in 14 hours inAugust, followed by 19 in 13 hours during September/October, the last on Oct 24th.A marked scarcity of juveniles was noted in 2009: none at all in June, four in July,seven in August and one in September, suggesting an extremely poor or even cat-astrophic season at the principal colonies. Indeed, the Ebro Delta colony was report-ed to have had very little success in 2009 (birdspain.blogspot.com). One was offSandy Bay on Nov 8th. A count of 89 in two hours at Europa Point on Dec 26th isvery high for a winter date.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Gaviota Sombría Larus fuscusRegular on passage and in winter. Formerly common.The few sightings at Europa Point comprised five during February/March, eight inAugust and 12 on Dec 26th. One was in Little Bay on Sep 7th.

Yellow-legged Gull Gaviota Patiamarilla Larus michahellisCommon resident.The large breeding population remained an unmissable feature of Gibraltar. Threerelatively early-fledged juveniles were seen on June 12th.

Black Tern Fumarel Común Chlidonias nigerCommon migrant.Twelve were feeding off Europa Point on May 2nd and one was there on Aug 23rd.

Sandwich Tern (Paul Acolina)

26 Bird Report 2009

Sandwich Tern Charrán Patinegro Sterna sandvicensisCommon migrant and common in winter.Only 37 were counted from Europa Point during the year, with records in January,February, July–October and December. They included 19 in nine hours in October.Up to eight were present at Sandy Bay throughout November and into December,but there were 23 there on Nov 25th.

Razorbill Alca Común Alca tordaCommon migrant and common in winter.One or two were off Sandy Bay from Nov 8th into December, with three there on Nov23rd. One was in the harbour on Nov 11th.

Puffin Frailecillo Atlántico Fratercula arcticaCommon migrant.The only record was of four flying west at Europa Point on Apr 3rd.

Feral Pigeon Paloma Domestica Columba liviaWild birds occasional. Feral population established.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 86 birds. There were ten in Little Bay onFeb 21st.

Collared Dove Tórtola Turca Streptopelia decaoctoResident since 1991.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 22, most of them in gardens.

Turtle Dove Tórtola Europea Streptopelia turturRegular but scarce migrant.One was at Jews" Gate on Apr 14th and two were there on Apr 18th.

Blue-crowned Conure Aratinga Cabeciazul Aratinga acuticaudataExotic resident.This South American species has been present in Gibraltar since early 2002 (Cortes2006). Eight were in the Botanic Gardens on Jul 28th. Ten were counted togetherover the town on Dec 8th, the largest group seen thus far.

Scops Owl Autillo Europeo Otus scopsCommon migrant. Has bred.Four were ringed between Mar 27th and April 17th, and another three between Sep26th and Oct 15th. Eight were seen on the Upper Rock between Sep 26th and Oct11th and one was at Moorish Castle on Oct 12th.

Eagle Owl Búho Reál Bubo buboRecently re-established resident.The resident pair was present but apparently nested in an inaccessible site on thenorthern cliffs, where the nest could not be monitored. One was seen on the east-ern side on Apr 10th.

27GONHS

Little Owl Mochuelo Común Athene noctuaScarce resident.One was found during the winter bird count on Jan 12th on the east side of the Rock.One was at the airport on Aug 28th.

Tawny Owl Cárabo Europeo Strix alucoOccasional. May breed.One was at Jews" Gate on Jan 28th. At least two were present in the BotanicGardens/Trafalgar Cemetery area in summer, where they were heard callingbetween Jun 11th and Sep 9th.

European Nightjar Chotacabras Gris Caprimulgus europaeusRegular migrant.Single birds were ringed on Oct 7th, 13th and 18th. A nightjar sp. was near the topCable Car Station on Oct 12th.

Red-necked Nightjar Chotacabras Pardo Caprimulgus ruficollisRegular migrant.Single birds were ringed on Apr 13th and 24th and one was at Jews" Gate on May3rd. Five were seen on the Upper Rock between Sep 21st and Oct 11th and singlebirds were ringed on Sep 24th, 25th and 30th.

Common Swift Vencejo Común Apus apusCommon migrant and summer resident.The large breeding population was in evidence as usual but no records of arrival ordeparture dates were submitted. Apparent migrants recorded at Jews" Gate includ-ed 620 on Apr 28th, 518 on Apr 30th and 164 on May 1st. Southward passage wasmarked on Aug 8th when over 1,000 birds per hour were recorded when the move-ment was at its peak.

Tawny Owl (Todor Todorov)

28 Bird Report 2009

Pallid Swift Vencejo Pálido Apus pallidusCommon migrant and summer resident.Few records were submitted but many were present in their usual breeding areas.The earliest report was later than usual, on Mar 1st. An influx was noted on Mar 20th,when 300 were seen at Jews" Gate.

Alpine Swift Vencejo Real Apus melbaRegular but scarce migrant. Scarce summer resident.There were seven sightings of presumably local birds between May 4th and Sep26th, including three over Windmill Hill on Jun 14th and at least ten at the smallcolony on the lower North Face on Jul 16th.

Common Kingfisher Martín Pescador Común Alcedo atthisRegular but scarce on passage and in winter.There were four records of single birds: in the harbour area on Aug 4th, Sep 9th andDec 22nd, and at Eastern Beach on Aug 11th.

European Bee-eater Abejaruco Común Merops apiasterCommon migrant.Small flocks totalling 466 birds were seen, and others heard, flying north at Jews"Gate on 17 dates between Mar 23rd and Apr 30th. The maximum day-count was 101on Apr 3rd. There were only four reports during the southward passage, betweenAug 24th and Sep 2nd, when !many" were seen or heard on Aug 31st.

Alpine Swifts at the North Face, Gibraltar (C. Perez)

29GONHS

Hoopoe Abubilla Upupa epopsCommon migrant.The earliest was one on Windmill Hill on Feb 13th. There were 16 further birds report-ed between Feb 15th and Mar 17th, with a maximum of four on the Upper Rock onMar 2nd. Single birds were ringed on Mar 10th, 19th and 25th. Only six were report-ed during the return passage period, between Jul 17th and Sep 13th.

Green Woodpecker Pito Real Picus viridisLocal vagrant. One was seen and heard around Jews" Gate on Apr 18th (P. Acolina). Eighth recordand the first since Jan 19th 1995.

Thekla Lark Cogujada Montesina Galerida theklaeRegular but scarce; in winter.Single birds were seen on Windmill Hill on Jan 26th and Feb 24th.

Wood Lark Alondra Totovía Lullula arboreaOccasional migrant.One was ringed on Mar 8th.

Sky Lark Alondra Común Alauda arvensisRegular but scarce migrant. Occasional in winter.Two were on Windmill Hill on Jan 12th and there were two there, perhaps the samebirds, on Feb 28th. One was on Windmill Hill on Oct 18th and six were there on Oct31st. Four were seen from Jews" Gate on Oct 25th followed by one there on Oct 30th.

Sand Martin Avión Zapador Riparia ripariaRegular but scarce migrant.The only reports were of four on Mar 17th and one on Sep 13th.

Crag Martin Avión Roquero Ptyonoprogne rupestrisCommon migrant and winter resident. Has bred.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 225 birds, most of them over the easternside. Two at Jews" Gate on Mar 20th were the last reported in spring. Birds wereagain evident after Oct 3rd, when 60 were counted at Europa Point.

Barn Swallow Golondrina Común Hirundo rusticaCommon migrant. Former summer resident.Spring migrants observed from Jews" Gate totalled 985, between Jan 29th and May18th. A count of 24 on Jan 31st was noteworthy for such an early date. Two wereringed in March. No large movements were seen, the maximum day counts being 90on Mar 1st and 88 on Apr 10th.A juvenile was seen flying west at Europa Point on Jun 11th and two juveniles flewnorth over the harbour on Jun 20th, all probably early migrants. A total of 253migrants were counted between Aug 8th and Sep 30th, including 100 over the UpperRock on Sep 30th.

30 Bird Report 2009

House Martin Avión Común Delichon urbicumCommon migrant. Scarce summer resident.At least two of the artificial nests provided at Four Corners were seen to be occu-pied on Jun 12th, when small numbers were also feeding nearby.Small numbers of migrants were noted at Jews Gate, with a total of 419 recorded on35 dates between Feb 4th and May 15th. There were only four reports in autumn,between Sep 13th and Sep 30th but they included 400 on Sep 26th and an estimat-ed 6,000 over the Rock on Sep 30th.

Red-rumped Swallow Golondrina Dáurica Cecropis dauricaCommon migrant. Has bred.Relatively few observations were submitted. A total of 36 were seen between Feb22nd and May 15th. There were five on Sep 16th and ten with other hirundines overthe Upper Rock on Sep 30th.

Tawny Pipit Bisbita Campestre Anthus campestrisCommon migrant.One was ringed on Apr 10th and one was at Jews" Gate on May 2nd. One was onWindmill Hill on Sep 1st and five were there on Sep 13th. Two were seen from thetop Cable Car Station on Sep 20th.

Tree Pipit Bisbita Arbóreo Anthus trivialisCommon migrant.One was ringed on Mar 30th and one was in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 18th.Two, perhaps the same birds, were on Windmill Hill from Sep 26th to 28th.

Meadow Pipit Bisbita Pratense Anthus pratensisCommon migrant and common in winter.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 13 birds, including 11 on Windmill Hill.Spring migrants were noted at Jews" Gate, with 41 birds between Mar 1st and Apr2nd, including 19 on Mar 28th. There were ten autumn reports totalling 143 birdsbetween Oct 16th and Nov 14th; including 24 at Windmill Hill on Oct 18th and 22there on Nov 14th, probably wintering in that area.

Yellow Wagtail Lavandera Boyera Motacilla flavaRegular but scarce migrant.There were 19 in total reported from Jews" Gate on six dates between Mar 19th andMay 5th. Ten were reported between Sep 10th and Oct 4th, from the North FrontCemetery, Windmill Hill and Europa Point. One was ringed on Oct 1st.

Grey Wagtail Lavandera Cascadeña Motacilla cinereaRegular but scarce; migrant and in winter.Two were found during the winter bird count: on the Upper Rock and at Camp/LittleBays. One was in the Botanic Gardens between Sep 11th and Oct 8th, with twothere on Oct 10th. Two were in the North Front Cemetery on Oct 11th, with one therethe next day. Single birds were at Europa Point on Sep 21st, Sep 24th and Oct 3rd,

31GONHS

and at Jumper"s Bastion on Oct 3rd. One was reported at Sandy Bay on three datesbetween Nov 8th and Dec 4th.

White Wagtail Lavandera Blanca Motacilla albaRegular but scarce migrant. Regular in winter. Has bred.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found seven birds. One was on the beach atSandy Bay on Feb 22nd. Ten were seen from Jews" Gate during March. There wasa breeding season presence in an area including Europort, the Victoria Stadium andthe Air Terminal, where one or two were reported on five dates between Apr 27th andJul 29th. Six were reported at various sites including the North Front Cemetery andEuropa Point between Oct 3rd and 11th, and one was at Sandy Bay on Nov 11th.

Wren Chochín Troglodytes troglodytesCommon resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 65 birds, nearly all of them on the UpperRock, but there was one on the Great Sand Slope and another in a south district gar-den.

Dunnock Acentor Común Prunella modularisOccasional migrant and in winter.Two were at Jews" Gate on Oct 30th and one was ringed there the same day.

Grey Wagtail (Paul Acolina)

32 Bird Report 2009

Robin Petirrojo Europeo Erithacus rubeculaCommon migrant and winter resident. Has bred.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 113 birds, including one at Europort. Birdsringed in the first half of the year totalled 101, the last on Apr 24th. Single birds wereseen in the Botanic Gardens on Jul 11th, at St Bernard"s Church near Europa Pointon Jul 18th and at the Trafalgar Cemetery on Aug 19th, as well as in the BotanicGardens on several dates in early September, all suggesting a possible breedingseason presence. Large numbers of migrants were ringed in the second half of theyear, mainly at Jews" Gate: a total of 570, the first on Sep 22nd but chiefly during thelast week of October. About 120 were around Jews" Gate on Oct 28th.

Nightingale Ruiseñor Común Luscinia megarhynchosCommon migrant. Has bred.A total of 19 were observed on five dates between Apr 6th and May 6th, including anoteworthy 14 in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 18th. A further 40 were ringedbetween Mar 12th and May 2nd, and ten more were ringed there between Sep 20thand Oct 6th.

Black Redstart Colirrojo Tizón Phoenicurus ochrurosCommon migrant and common in winter.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 71 birds. Counts of 21 on Windmill Hill onFeb 24th and 23 there on Feb 28th probably included migrants as well as winteringbirds. A total of 30 were ringed during January–March, the last on Mar 22nd.An early returning bird was ringed on Sep 30th, with a further 174 ringed therebetween Oct 11th and Nov 1st. There were 15 on Windmill Hill on Nov 14th.

Common Redstart Colirrojo Real Phoenicurus phoenicurusCommon migrant.Only nine were observed in spring, between Mar 22nd and Apr 24th, including fivein the North Front Cemetery on Apr 18th. A further 13 were ringed between Mar 23rdand May 1st. There were 27 observed in autumn between Aug 28th and Oct 4th and29 were ringed between Sep 21st and Oct 11th, with a late juvenile male on Oct27th.

Whinchat Tarabilla Norteña Saxicola rubetraCommon migrant.Two were in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 18th and one was ringed on Apr 24th.A total of 23 were reported between Sep 13th and Oct 9th, including six on WindmillHill on Sep 26th and four there, with another four in the North Front Cemetery, onSep 27th.

Stonechat Tarabilla Común Saxicola torquatusCommon migrant and common in winter.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 16 birds, seven of them on Windmill Hill.There was an obvious influx of migrants in late February, with 23 on Windmill Hill onFeb 24th and 35 there on Feb 28th. Single birds were ringed on Feb 24th, Feb 25th

33GONHS

and Mar 8th.The earliest in autumn were two in the North Front Cemetery on Sep 26th. Numberson Windmill Hill peaked at 14 on Oct 19th before declining to seven there on Nov14th, these presumably being wintering birds. One was ringed on Oct 16th. Twowere on the Great Sand Slope on Nov 21st.

Northern Wheatear Collalba Gris Oenanthe oenantheCommon migrant.An exceptionally poor spring saw only four records of single birds, between Apr 2ndand 20th. There were 64 reports in autumn, between Sep 17th and Oct 24th, mostof them on Windmill Hill where there were 17 on Sep 26th and ten on both Sep 27thand Sep 28th.

Black-eared Wheatear Collalba Rubia Oenanthe hispanicaCommon migrant.Only six individuals were recorded. One was ringed on Apr 6th and one was on theUpper Rock on Apr 24th. Single birds were on Windmill Hill on Sep 13th, 19th, 20thand 26th.

Black Redstart (Paul Acolina)

34 Bird Report 2009

Blue Rock Thrush Roquero Solitario Monticola solitarius Scarce resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found only five individuals. A male was in the NorthFront Cemetery on Feb 22nd. Once again, the species was most obvious atWindmill Hill, where there were seven on Sep 26th. One was ringed.

Ring Ouzel Mirlo Capiblanco Turdus torquatusOccasional migrant.One was at Jews" Gate on Nov 1st.

Blackbird Mirlo Común Turdus merulaCommon resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 129 birds, chiefly in gardens and on theUpper Rock. A fairly early-fledged juvenile was in the Botanic Gardens on Apr 6th.Birds ringed totalled 68.

Northern Wheatear (Paul Acolina)

35GONHS

Song Thrush Zorzal Común Turdus philomelosCommon migrant and winter resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found four birds: three on the Upper Rock and oneon Windmill Hill. One was in the North Front Cemetery on Feb 22nd. Twelve wereringed between Feb 9th and Apr 13th.There was a strong influx in October, especially during the last week of the monthwhen many were obvious around Jews" Gate, with others in the Botanic Gardens,North Front Cemetery and on Windmill Hill. Around 250 were reported between Oct8th and Nov 1st, including 40–50 around Jews" Gate on Oct 25th, 27th, 28th and29th. A further 98 were ringed between Oct 4th and Nov 1st

Redwing Zorzal Alirrojo Turdus iliacusRegular migrant.Two were seen at Jews" Gate on Oct 29th and there were eight there on Nov 1st.

Zitting Cisticola Buitrón Cisticola juncidisCommon migrant and common in winter. Some breed.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found one on the Great Sand Slope and two onWindmill Hill. There were 37 reported between Jul 21st and Nov 14th, most of themon Windmill Hill where numbers peaked at 13 on Sep 13th, but there were singlebirds on the Great Sand Slope, the top Cable Car Station and the North FrontCemetery.

Grasshopper Warbler Buscarla Pintoja Locustella naeviaOccasional migrant.One was ringed on Oct 3rd.

Reed Warbler Carricero Común Acrocephalus scirpaceusCommon migrant.One was in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 18th and another was on Windmill Hillon Sep 27th. Seven were ringed between Sep 24th and Oct 13th.

Western Olivaceous Warbler Zarcero Pálido Hippolais opacaOccasional migrant.One was in the Botanic Gardens on Sep 21st.

Melodious Warbler Zarcero Común Hippolais polyglottaCommon migrant.A poor year with few seen or caught. There were six in the North Front Cemetery onApr 18th. Five were ringed between Apr 21st and May 4th. A late bird was onWindmill Hill on June 24th. There were subsequently seven observations of singlebirds between Jul 13th and Sep 25th, most of them in the Botanic Gardens.

36 Bird Report 2009

Blackcap Curruca Capirotada Sylvia atricapillaCommon resident and also a common migrant and wintering species.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 119 birds. Five in the North Front Cemeteryon Apr 18th were almost certainly migrants. Birds ringed during the first half of theyear totalled 129, the last on May 12th. A further 1,297 were ringed between Sep 20thand Nov 1st. An influx was evident during late October especially, with a peak at Jews"Gate of 130 on Oct 28th and 100 on Oct 29th.

Garden Warbler Curruca Mosquitera Sylvia borinCommon migrant.One was in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 15th and there were seven there on Apr18th, as well as three on the Upper Rock on Apr 24th. In total 17 were ringed betweenApr 6th and 29th. Eight in total were reported in the Botanic Gardens between Sep18th and Oct 10th. A further 41 were ringed between Sep 20th and Oct 29th.

Orphean Warbler Curruca Mirlona Sylvia hortensisCommon migrant.Six were ringed between Mar 26th and May 5th. Single birds were on Windmill Hill onSep 13th and 26th and single birds were ringed on Sep 26th and 28th.

Common Whitethroat Curruca Zarcera Sylvia communisCommon migrant.Three were in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 15th and eight were there on Apr 18th.Four were ringed between Mar 27th and Apr 30th, and three during Sep 24th/25th.Single birds were at Jews" Gate on Sep 7th, Windmill Hill on Sep 13th and in theBotanic Gardens on Sep 24th.

Spectacled Warbler Curruca Tomillera Sylvia conspicillataRegular migrant. Has bred.One was in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 18th.

Dartford Warbler Curruca Rabilarga Sylvia undataRegular migrant. Occasional in winter. Has bred.One was in the North Front Cemetery on Feb 28th. One was at Jews" Gate on Sep7th and one was ringed there on Oct 7th. There were seven on Windmill Hill on Oct18th and one on the Great Sand Slope on Nov 21st.

Subalpine Warbler Curruca Carrasqueña Sylvia cantillansCommon migrant.A poor year with few observations or birds ringed. Single birds were in the North FrontCemetery on Apr 15th and 18th. Six were ringed between Mar 14th and Apr 16th.Another was ringed on Sep 22nd and one was on Windmill Hill on Sep 26th and 27th.

Sardinian Warbler Curruca Cabecinegra Sylvia melanocephalaCommon resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 157 birds. Birds ringed totalled 156.

37GONHS

Western Bonelli!s Warbler Mosquitero Papialbo Phylloscopus bonelliCommon migrant.At least nine were seen and 52 ringed in spring, between Mar 15th and May 4th butchiefly in April. A singing bird was present in the Botanic Gardens from at least July7th into August and two were there on Aug 24th. There were four sightings of singlebirds between Sep 4th and Sep 25th but none were ringed in autumn.

Common Chiffchaff Mosquitero Común Phylloscopus collybitaCommon migrant and common in winter.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 97 birds. Twelve were in the North FrontCemetery on Feb 22nd and 15 were taking nectar from an agave in the BotanicGardens on Feb 24th, in the company of an Iberian Chiffchaff. A total of 104 wereringed early in the year, most during January–March but there were seven in April,the latest on Apr 23rd. An individual of the Scandinavian subspecies P. c. abietinuswas ringed on Apr 20th. The first autumn record was one in the Botanic Gardens on Sep 19th. There was aninflux during the last week of October, when maximum site counts were 18 onWindmill Hill on Oct 24th and 40 at Jews" Gate on Oct 25th. Birds ringed during thesecond half of the year totalled 187, the earliest on Sep 24th.

Iberian Chiffchaff Mosquitero Ibérico Phylloscopus ibericusRegular migrant.This species is identified by its call note, song and, in the hand, by biometrics. Bothpassage periods were well marked. Eight were seen on six dates between Feb 24thand May 16th and a further 19 were ringed at Jews Gate, most between Feb 23rdand Mar 26th but there was a late bird on Apr 17th. Two were at the Mount on Jul31st and three were at O"Hara"s Battery on Sep 6th. In addition, some were presentin the Botanic Gardens on at least 19 dates between Aug 4th and Sep 24th, with amaximum of ten on Aug 14th.

Willow Warbler Mosquitero Musical Phylloscopus trochilusCommon migrant.Only eight were reported, between Mar 7th and May 6th, but 80 were ringedbetween Mar 8th and May 4th. There were 27 reported between Sep 4th and Oct2nd, most of them in the Botanic Gardens, and a further 26 were ringed betweenSep 20th and Oct 17th.

Firecrest Reyezuelo Listado Regulus ignicapillaRegular but scarce migrant. Regular in winter.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found three in South District gardens.

Spotted Flycatcher Papamoscas Gris Muscicapa striataCommon migrant. A series of sightings in the Botanic Gardens during June led to the finding of a nestwith young in a Californian Pepper Tree Schinus molle on June 30th, the first record-ed instance that this species has nested in Gibraltar. At least two young fledged

38 Bird Report 2009

Spotted Flycatcher in the Botanic Gardens (Charles Perez)

39GONHS

around Jul 13th. Thereafter up to two birds were present in the gardens until atleast Sep 23rd. The Botanic Gardens offer an apparently ideal habitat for thisspecies, with plenty of mature trees to provide nesting sites and perches, oppor-tunities for drinking and bathing and an obvious abundance of flying insects.Since migrant flycatchers often pass through the gardens it is perhaps only sur-prising that breeding has not been recorded before.Elsewhere, single birds were ringed on Apr 23rd and 24th and one was seen onApr 25th. Single birds were on the Upper Rock on Sep 10th and 11th, and in theNorth Front Cemetery on Sep 27th. Two more were ringed on Sep 24th.

Pied Flycatcher Papamoscas Cerrojillo Ficedula hypoleucaCommon migrant.Only four were seen in spring, between Apr 24th and May 6th. Nine were ringedbetween Apr 18th and Apr 30th. They were more evident in autumn with 34between Sep 9th and Oct 8th, most of them in the Botanic Gardens where therewere seven on Sep 16th. A further 28 were ringed between Sep 20th and Oct4th.

Blue Tit Herrerillo Común Cyanistes caeruleusCommon resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 40 birds.

Great Tit Carbonero Común Parus majorScarce resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found five birds. A pair used a nestbox in theBotanic Gardens and their young fledged on Apr 16th. Another pair also nestedin the gardens. Five birds were ringed. The impression is that this very scarcespecies is becoming commoner locally.

Coal Tit Carbonero Garrapinos Periparus aterLocal vagrant.One was seen drinking in The Dell in the Botanic Gardens on Mar 13th (J. E.Cortes). The seventh recent record and the first since two were at Jews" Gate on24 March 1996.

Short-toed Tree Creeper Agateador Común Certhia brachydactylaOccasional migrant and occasional in winter.One was in the Botanic Gardens on Sep 18th.

Golden Oriole Oropéndola Oriolus oriolusRegular migrant.Single birds were seen on the Upper Rock on Apr 24th, Apr 30th and Aug 8th.

40 Bird Report 2009

Woodchat Shrike Alcaudón Común Lanius senatorCommon migrant. Has bred.There were 41 between Apr 6th and 18th, including 15 in the North Front Cemeteryon Apr 15th and 22 there on Apr 18th. One was ringed on Apr 16th. A juvenile wason Windmill Hill on Aug 4th.

Raven Cuervo Corvus coraxRecently re-established resident.The resident pair continued their unbroken sequence of unproductive breedingattempts. A third bird was seen with the resident pair at Jews" Gate on Apr 1st.

Spotless Starling Estornino Negro Sturnus unicolorCommon resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 65 birds, including a flock of 37 on WindmillHill. Sixteen were seen from Jews" Gate on Feb 16th and two were in the North FrontCemetery on Apr 15th. Up to 35 were on Windmill Hill in October.

Common Starling Estornino Pinto Sturnus vulgarisCommon in some winters.This was evidently not a !starling year" and there were only two records of singlebirds, on Windmill Hill on Sep 27th and Oct 24th.

House Sparrow Gorrión Común Passer domesticusCommon resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 321 birds, including 62 in the relatively newreclaimed land habitat of Europort. The only other noteworthy reports came from theNorth Front Cemetery, where there were 60 on Apr 15th and 90 on Apr 18th. Sevenwere ringed at Jews" Gate.

Spanish Sparrow Gorrión Moruno Passer hispaniolensisOccasional migrant.A flock of 14 was seen flying north from Jews" Gate on Apr 2nd.

Chaffinch Pinzón Vulgar Fringilla coelebsCommon migrant and common in winter.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 44 birds, many of them in gardens. Sevenwere in the Botanic Gardens on Feb 23rd. A few were around Jews Gate duringFebruary and March, with a maximum of six on Feb 20th and the last bird on Apr 1st.One in Queensway on Oct 3rd was the first autumn record but very few reports weresubmitted, the maximum being 20 at Jews" Gate on Oct 28th. Only nine birds wereringed.

41GONHS

Serin Verdecillo Serinus serinusCommon migrant and common in winter. Some resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th only found two birds. Small numbers of migrantswere recorded from Jew"s Gate in spring, 108 in total, the last on May 5th. Therewere single birds at Jews" Gate on Jun 9th and in the Botanic Gardens on Jun 26th.A further 263 migrants passed south at Jews" Gate between Oct 23rd and Nov 1st,including about 100 on Oct 28th. Birds ringed totalled 14.

Greenfinch Verderón Común Carduelis chlorisCommon migrant and common in winter. Some resident.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found 23 birds. They were reported at Jews" Gateuntil at least May 2nd, with a maximum of 56 on Mar 28th. Autumn reports began onSep 24th, with a maximum at Jews" Gate of 250 on Oct 28th. Birds ringed totalled96.

Goldfinch Jilguero Carduelis carduelisCommon migrant and common in winter. Has bred.The winter bird count on Jan 12th found four birds. Small numbers were reported atJews Gate until Apr 12th, the largest count being just 17 on Apr 3rd. Autumn reportsfell between Oct 4th and Nov 14th but there were no large movements observed andthe largest counts were 100 at Jews" Gate on Oct 28th and 120 on Windmill Hill onOct 31st. Only four were ringed.

Siskin Lúgano Carduelis spinusRegular but scarce migrant. Occasional in winter.A poor year with very few reported, all of them at Jews" Gate. There was one on Jan27th and five between Mar 19th and Apr 1st. One was ringed on Apr 13th. One wasseen on Oct 29th.

Linnet Pardillo Común Carduelis cannabinaCommon migrant.This species has been scarce in recent years and there were few reports in 2009.They comprised a total of 11 at Jew"s Gate on three dates between Feb 18th andMar 28th and 36 at Jew"s Gate or Windmill Hill on six dates between Oct 23rd andOct 31st, with a maximum of ten on Oct 28th. Single birds were ringed on Mar 17thand 23rd.

Ortolan Bunting Escribano Hortelano Emberiza hortulanaRegular but scarce migrant.Single birds were in the North Front Cemetery on Apr 15th and 18th and two wereringed on Apr 18th. Two were at the top Cable Car Station on Sep 20th.

Corn Bunting Triguero Emberiza calandraRegular but scarce migrant and occasional in winter.Three were on Windmill Hill on Feb 28th and one was in the North Front Cemeterythe same day.

42 Bird Report 2009

ReferencesBensusan, K. J., Garcia, E. F. J. & Cortes, J. E. 2007. Trends in abundance ofmigrating raptors at Gibraltar in spring. Ardea 95: 83–90.Cortes, J. 2006. Probable nesting of the Blue-crowned Conure Aratingaacuticaudata in Gibraltar. Gibraltar Bird Report 2005: 59–61. Dies, J. I. 2005. Polluela Chica. Pp. 198–199 in Madroño, A., Gonzalez, C. &Atienza, J. C. (Eds). Libro rojo de las aves de España. Dirección General para laBiodiversidad – SEO/Birdlife. Madrid.Noticiario Ornitológico. 2009. Ardeola 56: 164–167.

OMISSION FROM THE GIBRALTAR BIRD REPORT 2008We apologise for the inadvertent omission of the following two species accountsfrom the Systematic List in the 2008 Report. They migrated unnoticed from the textduring the pre-printing stages.

Common Kestrel Cernícalo Vulgar Falco tinnunculusResident. Common migrant.The winter bird count on Jan 19th found eight birds.Spring migrants totalled 22, between Mar 7th and May 16th. Observers at EuropaPoint saw a number apparently arriving from Morocco on several days in midsum-mer, perhaps individuals on post-breeding dispersal. They included six headingnorth on Jul 25th, one north on Jul 30th and five in the area on Aug 8th. Such arrivalshave been seen before at this time of year and may in fact be a regular occurrence,as seems also to occur at this season with some other North African raptors includ-ing Long-legged Buzzards and Lanners.Observations later in the year included seven over the Rock on Sep 12th and sevenin Camp Bay and Little Bay areas on Sep 29th. A juvenile was ringed on Sep 2nd.

Hobby Alcotán Europeo Falco subbuteoRegular but scarce migrant in spring, scarcer in autumn.Spring migrants totalled 42, between Apr 17th and Jun 1st, one fewer than therecord count of 43 in 2005. They included 15 on Apr 29th and seven on Apr 30th.There were no autumn records.

43GONHS

CONTRIBUTORS TO BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR 2008

The Gibraltar Bird Report relies on the submission of information by many people,whose contributions are gratefully acknowledged. We are particularly grateful toKeith Bensusan, John Cortes, Charles Perez, Sean Monaghan and MarioMosquera who each submitted large numbers of records – and we encourageothers to follow their example. The ringing effort was organised by Charles Perez,and ringers-in-residence for the spring and autumn were Stephen Norman and RayMarsh. The full list of contributors is as follows.

Andrew Abrines Ray MarshPaul Acolina Sean MonaghanRobin Attrill Mario MosqueraKeith Bensusan Stephen NormanTerry Cooper Stanley OliveroSteve Copsey Charlie PerezJohn Cortes Kieran PowerJohn Crix Nigel RamosAllan Cutts Vincent RobbaJanet Derricot Paul RoccaJohn Eliott Ian RussellClive Finlayson Allen RussellAndrew Fortuna Robin ScottErnest Garcia Eric ShawLaura Glenister Robin SpringettRhian Guillem Julia SpringettClive Horrocks Harry Van-GilsJane Horrocks Michael WahnonPeter Howlett Steve WarehamTerence Jesty Stephen WarrKaelan Joyce Jill YeomanRobert King Albert YomeJutta Kuester

44 Bird Report 2009

A house Bunting Emberiza sahari nesting in a palm tree in Tangier, Morocco

John Cortes

The existence of a population of the House Bunting Emberiza sahari inTangier, Morocco, was first reported by Amezian et al. (2006). Its presence as a reg-ular breeder in the city has been confirmed by repeated observations every yearsince then.

Thévenot et al. (2003) record that nesting sites in Morocco include holes1–3m above the ground, most often at 2.0–2.5m, in a wide variety of structures,!occasionally in trees". I have previously noted the nesting of four bird species in theholes formed within the rotting leaf bases of trimmed palm trees of several species(Cortes 2005). Here I describe a nest of the House Bunting in such a location.

Male House Bunting at nest site in palm trunk (John Cortes)

45GONHS

The gardens of the El Minzah Hotel, Tangier, contain a wide variety of large-ly exotic trees, shrubs and other plants, as well as areas of lawn. Tree speciesinclude Canary Island Date Palm Phoenix canariensis, Almond Prunus dulcis andwild Olive Olea europaea. Shrubs include Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis andLantana Lantana camara. This garden area, in a largely built-up city, regularlyattracts migrants during passage periods.

On March 26th 2010, during a survey of grounded migrants in the groundsof the hotel, my attention was drawn to a small bird flying towards the trunk of aCanary Island Date Palm in the lower section of the garden, overlooking a smallpatio. On closer inspection, it was noticed that it was a House Bunting and that asecond individual was also present. Regular watching over the next three hoursconfirmed the presence of a pair actively nest building. Nesting material was takeninto a hole on the rotting palm leaf bases about 3m from the ground. The birdsdeparted towards, and arrived from, the largely built-up area below the garden, inthe market area not far from where Amezian et al. (2006) first recorded their birds.They were not seen collecting material from within the garden itself.

The male was regularly seen perching and singing from the entrance to thenest hole. Several pairs of House Sparrow Passer domesticus were nesting in sim-ilar holes higher up on the same palm. Unfortunately, I was unable to follow the out-come of the House Bunting nest.

ReferencesCortes, J. E. 2005. Nesting of Common Swifts Apus apus in palm trees. GibraltarBird Report 4: 54-56.Amezian M., Bensusan K. J., Perez C. E. & Thompson I. 2006. Is House Buntingabout to colonise Europe? Birding World 19: 263.Thévenot, M., Vernon, R. & Bergier, P. 2003. The Birds of Morocco. BOU and BOC,Tring, Herts., UK.

46 Bird Report 2009

Probable predation of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanniby Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis in Algeciras,

Cádiz, SpainJohn Cortes & Antonio Rizquez

Yellow-legged Gulls have increasingly nested on buildings in the vicinity ofGibraltar since the first record in Rosia Bay, Gibraltar, in 1981 (Cortes et al. 2005)and they continue to do so in Gibraltar itself. In Gibraltar the wide-ranging diet ofthis opportunistic omnivore has been seen to include live prey such as Black RatsRattus rattus and swifts Apus spp. (pers. obs.).

Lesser Kestrels, which often nest in urban settings, are faced with a numberof significant threats and have suffered serious population declines in many parts oftheir range (Tucker & Heath, 1994, Liven-Schulman et al. 2004).

During a season of observations and photography by AR at a Yellow-leggedGull nest on a roof terrace in Algeciras, (Cádiz), Spain, the remains of two falconswere found by the nest alongside other items that the adult gulls had brought asfood for their young. The pale claws and the juvenile plumage of these falcons (Fig.1) confirm that they were young Lesser Kestrels, which perished around the time offledging. Although the possibility that the gulls scavenged dead Lesser Kestrelscannot be discarded, it is clearly possible that the gulls took young, inexperiencedbirds at around the time that they left their nesting cavities.

Figure 1. Remains of two juvenile Lesser Kestrels retrieved from a Yellow-legged Gull nest(Antonio Rizquez)

47GONHS

There is currently a small Lesser Kestrel population in Algeciras (F. Barrios,pers. comm.), comprising groups of several pairs nesting in buildings along theperiphery of the town, adjacent to farmland. The large colony of about 30 pairs thatwas in the city centre no longer exists. It is likely that the young Lesser Kestrelsfound in the gull nest came from one of those urban locations. Around the time offledging, young Lesser Kestrels spend a considerable amount of time at or near theentrance to their nest hole, often flying short distances from there. Such young,inexperienced birds are potential prey to gulls.

The possibility of direct predation of Lesser Kestrels by gulls at the colony atthe North Face of Gibraltar has been suspected, given the large population ofYellow-legged Gulls in Gibraltar (Cortes et al., 2005, Guillem & Cortes in press),although this was not mentioned by Bensusan & Cortes (2007). The above obser-vations further suggest that gulls may pose an additional problem to those thatthreaten the survival of this small Lesser Kestrel population.

ReferencesBensusan, K. J & Cortes, J. E. 2007. Decline of the Lesser Kestrel Falco nauman-ni in Gibraltar: possible causes, conservation and action plan. Almoraima 35:185–190.Cortes, J., Shaw, E., Blair, M. & Candelin, G. 2005. The control of the yellow-leggedGull Larus cachinnans in Gibraltar. Almoraima 31: 199–215.Guillem, R. & Cortes. J. E. In press. La Gaviota Patiamarilla Larus michahellis enGibraltar. Almoraima 36. Liven-Schulman, I., Leshem, Y., Alon, D. & Yom-Tov, Y. 2004. Causes of populationdeclines of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in Israel. Ibis 146: 145–152.Tucker, G. M. & Heath, M. F. 1994. Birds in Europe: their conservation status.BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 3). Cambridge.

48 Bird Report 2009


The mobbing of migrant raptors, especially the larger species, by other birdsis a well-known phenomenon at the Strait of Gibraltar. Resident Yellow-legged GullsLarus michahellis, Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus and Ravens Corvus coraxregularly attack a number of species but especially Griffon Vultures and Short-toedEagles Circaetus gallicus. These attacks sometimes result in groundings andinjuries and often the victims fall in the sea and drown.

On an unspecified date in late spring 2007, two Gibraltar residents, FrancisButtigieg and Norman Garcia, were canoeing in the Strait approximately 500m fromthe shore, south of Punta Carnero (Cádiz, Spain). They noticed a low-flying GriffonVulture being mobbed by Yellow-legged Gulls. The vulture quickly lost height andhit the water, from which it was unable to take off, approximately 400m from theshore.

The two canoeists paddled towards the vulture from the seaward side, ini-tially to see whether they could extract it from the water. However, as theyapproached, the vulture started flapping on the surface in an effort to move awayfrom the canoes. Seeing that the bird was making progress towards the shore, thecanoeists continued to approach it from either side, and so proceeded to drive ittowards the shore. The photograph was taken by one of the canoeists using amobile phone.

Eventually they managed to drive it all the way to a nearby cove, where thevulture clambered out of the water and on to some rocks, where it rested. The areain question is some distance from human habitation and relatively undisturbed, andabout an hour later the vulture was still on the rocks, with its wings open, apparent-ly drying itself. The canoeists did not stay long enough to see it fly away, which itvery probably did some time later.

Landbirds that end up in the sea gradually become waterlogged, sink anddrown. The GONHS Raptor Recovery Unit has cared for many that have been res-cued in such circumstances near Gibraltar. This event shows, however, that a largeraptor landing fairly close to shore can save itself, although some human involve-ment occurred in this case.

49GONHS

The Griffon Vulture being escorted to dry land

50 Bird Report 2009

RINGING REPORT 2009

Charles Perez

Gibraltar Ringing Group, GONHS, PO. Box 843, Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Ringing Group, working under the auspices of the BritishTrust for Ornithology, is based at the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory at Jews"Gate on the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. Ringing at the site in 2009 commencedon January 5th and continued until May 5th and resumed on September 20th untilNovember 2nd, with occasional breaks due to inclement weather. A ringingdemonstration also took place at the Alameda Botanic Gardens duringEurobirdwatch day on the morning of October 3rd. In all there were 83 ringingdays during the first half of the year and 41 ringing days during the second; 34days more than in 2008 and two more than 2007. Ringing took place from sun-rise until early afternoon, although it continued throughout the day when manymigrants were about and sufficient ringers were available.

In total, 3,812 birds were captured, comprising 3,557 new birds and 251retraps. There were four controls of foreign-ringed birds; a Belgian Chiffchaff anda Belgian Blackcap, and four British Blackcaps. A further four birds, three Short-toed Eagles and a Griffon Vulture were brought in by members of the public andwere ringed and released, some after a short period of recovery with the RaptorRehabilitation Unit. Overall 52 species were handled, five more than in 2008.Ringing totals are given in Table 1.

Resident and wintering birds accounted for the greater part of the catchduring January and February, with small numbers of Black Redstarts, Blackbirds,Sardinian Warblers, Common Chiffchaffs, Robins and Blackcaps. Some clearlyshowed an accumulation of fat, as they prepared for their journey north. The firsttrans-Saharan migrant, an Iberian Chiffchaff was trapped on February 23rd, andthree more were caught the next day. Three Song Thrushes, seven Greenfinchesand a couple of Stonechats made up the variety during this period.

By March, wintering birds were moving north in earnest, with 80Blackcaps, 68 Common Chiffchaffs and 72 Robins caught, as well as 11 BlackRedstarts; the last of these on the 22nd. New trans-Saharan migrants began toarrive with single Hoopoes trapped on the 10th, 19th and 25th. The first WillowWarbler was caught on the 8th for a total of 39 for the month. It was followed bya Bonelli"s Warbler on the 11th, with a total for the month of 11, and a further 14

51GONHS

Iberian Chiffchaffs. An early first Nightingale was ringed on the 12th and twoCommon Redstarts were trapped on the 23rd. March 27th saw some new birdsincluding the first Scops Owl of the season, two Common Whitethroats and anOrphean Warbler. A Wood Lark on the 8th was only the third ringing record.Diurnal migrants ringed included two Barn Swallows, three Chaffinches, severalGreenfinches and a single Linnet. The wintering Short-toed Eagle that was pickedup and found to have ingested poison (Gibraltar Bird Report 2008: 19–20) madea full recovery and was ringed and released on March 25th.

Unfavourable weather conditions at the start of April slowed trapping, butit quickly picked up with good numbers of Nightingales, Bonelli"s Warblers andWillow Warblers throughout the month, totalling 27, 40 and 37 respectively. Therewere no exceptional falls of migrants but trapping was steady and some trans-Saharan migrants and resident birds were caught every day. New capturesincluded a Tawny Pipit on the 10th, a Red-necked Nightjar on the 13th, aWoodchat Shrike on the 16th, a Pied Flycatcher and an Ortolan Bunting on the18th, a Melodious Warbler on the 21st and a Whinchat on the 24th. Late winter-ing birds included a Song Thrush and a Siskin on the 13th, the latter being theonly one trapped all year.

Only four days of ringing took place in early May, and produced severalMelodious, Bonelli"s and Willow Warblers as well as a Nightingale and anOrphean Warbler. Trapped residents included recently fledged Blackbirds andWrens. A Short-toed Eagle and a Griffon Vulture that had been in the care ofRehabilitation Centre were ringed and released on May 21st and 26th respective-ly.

The autumn ringing season started late, on September 20th, and severaltrans-Saharan migrants were trapped during the month. They included 20 GardenWarblers, 25 Common Redstarts, 26 Pied Flycatchers, 16 Willow Warblers andfive Reed Warblers in the scrub. Nine Nightingales were trapped including six onthe 22nd. Other migrants included single Red-necked Nightjars and CommonWhitethroats on the 24th and 25th, a Scops Owl, an Orphean Warbler and twoWhinchats on the 26th, with another Orphean Warbler on the 28th. A SubalpineWarbler on the 22nd and two Spotted Flycatchers on the 24th were the only onesfor the season. A very early Black Redstart was ringed on September 30th. It wasa good breeding season for resident birds and 126 young Blackcaps and 71young Sardinian Warblers were ringed.

Trans-Saharan migrants tailed off during October, but there were still somenumbers of Garden Warblers with 24 for the month, the last on the 29th. Ten

52 Bird Report 2009

Willow Warblers were trapped early in the month, the last on the 14th. The lastReed Warblers were ringed on the 3rd and 13th. A late Common Redstart wasringed on the 27th with four for the month. Scarcer migrants included a YellowWagtail on the 1st, a Grasshopper Warbler on the 3rd, a Whinchat on the 9th, aRed-necked Nightjar on the 12th and a Scops Owl on the 15th. CommonNightjars made an appearance with a total of three caught, the last on the 18th.Iberian/North African wintering species accounted for large numbers of birdsringed during this period, including 1,130 Blackcaps from mid month and 552Robins. Common Chiffchaffs made an appearance with good numbers, especial-ly from the 10th onwards, totalling 180. There were also fair numbers of BlackRedstarts, a total of 166. There were no fall conditions to produce any exception-al days, but many mornings still saw over 100 birds ringed. Finch captures werenotably poor, due again to a lack of the levanter cloud and easterly winds that nor-mally produce large gatherings in inclement weather at the end of the month.Nevertheless 70 Greenfinches were ringed, but only six Chaffinches, eight Serinsand two Goldfinches were trapped during the same period. Surprisingly it was anexceptional year for Song Thrushes, with the main arrival between the 14th and16th and good numbers seen everywhere around the Rock: 95 were ringed.

November saw only one full day"s ringing, on the 1st, after which theweather turned for the worse with persistent westerly winds making ringingimpossible. Nevertheless many new birds were processed, including 43Blackcaps, eight Robins, eight Black Redstarts and five Greenfinches.

53GONHS

Spring Autumn Total Total Total Totals SPECIES 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 1991-2009Quail - - - 0 2 12Cory's Shearwater - - - 0 0 2Leach's Petrel - - - 0 0 1Night Heron - - - 0 1 1Honey Buzzard - - - 1 0 5Black Kite - - - 1 0 4Griffon Vulture 1 - 1 1 5 14Short-toed Eagle 3 - 3 0 3 12Sparrowhawk 2 - 2 2 2 24Booted Eagle - - - 0 0 5Bonelli's Eagle - - - 0 0 1Lesser Kestrel - - - 0 0 1Common Kestrel - - - 1 0 17Hobby - - - 0 0 2Peregrine - - - 0 1 6Purple Swamphen - - - 0 0 1Woodcock - - - 0 0 1Yellow-legged Gull 2 - 2 51 42 398Puffin - - - 0 0 1Collared Dove - - - 0 0 7Turtle Dove - - - 0 0 15Great Spotted Cuckoo - - - 0 1 2Common Cuckoo - - - 0 0 1Barn Owl - - - 0 0 1Long-eared Owl - - - 0 0 1Scops Owl 4 3 7 3 3 84Eagle Owl - - - 0 0 1Little Owl - - - 0 0 12European Nightjar - 3 3 4 3 23Red-necked Nightjar 2 4 6 1 2 63Common Swift - - - 0 5 55Pallid Swift - - - 0 0 25Common Kingfisher - - - 0 0 5European Bee-eater - - - 0 0 15Hoopoe 3 - 3 1 3 54Wryneck - - - 0 1 27Thekla Lark - - - 0 0 1Wood Lark 1 - 1 0 0 3Crag Martin - - - 1 0 338Barn Swallow 2 - 2 0 3 95Red-rumped Swallow - - - 0 1 2House Martin - - - 0 0 9Richard's Pipit - - - 0 0 1Tawny Pipit 1 - 1 0 0 14Tree Pipit 1 - 1 1 2 64Meadow Pipit - - - 1 0 36Yellow Wagtail - 1 1 0 0 3Grey Wagtail - - - 1 1 14Winter Wren 5 9 14 5 13 287Dunnock - 1 1 0 0 16Rufous Bush Chat - - - 0 0 2Robin 101 570 671 396 565 7134Nightingale 40 10 50 16 55 660Bluethroat - - - 0 0 2Black Redstart 30 175 205 169 192 4267Common Redstart 13 29 42 18 45 687Whinchat 1 3 4 0 3 40Stonechat 3 1 4 4 6 161Black-eared Wheatear 1 - 1 0 1 27Northern Wheatear - - - 0 0 31

Table 1 Annual Ringing Totals 2009

54 Bird Report 2009

Spring Autumn Total Total Total Totals SPECIES 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 1991-2009Rock Thrush - - - 0 0 4Blue Rock Thrush - 1 1 1 1 47Ring Ouzel - - - 0 0 6Blackbird 33 35 68 45 59 1808Song Thrush 12 98 110 26 50 673Redwing - - - 0 0 7Cetti's Warbler - - - 0 0 2Zitting Cisticola - - - 0 0 24Grasshopper Warbler - 1 1 0 1 23Sedge Warbler - - - 0 0 4Reed Warbler - 7 7 4 5 190Great Reed Warbler - - - 0 0 1Olivaceous Warbler - - - 0 0 3Icterine Warbler - - - 0 0 4Melodious Warbler 5 - 5 0 5 594Blackcap 129 1297 1426 629 692 14111Garden Warbler 17 41 58 18 72 1903Lesser Whitethroat - - - 0 0 2Orphean Warbler 6 2 8 6 8 265Common Whitethroat 4 3 7 4 21 434Spectacled Warbler - - - 0 1 16Dartford Warbler - 1 1 3 2 66Subalpine Warbler 6 1 7 10 21 398Sardinian Warbler 31 125 156 189 168 4352Yellow-browed Warbler - - - 0 0 1Bonelli's Warbler 52 - 52 22 81 975Wood Warbler - - - 0 0 36Common Chiffchaff 104 187 291 203 130 3366Iberian Chiffchaff 19 - 19 2 7 188Mountain Chiffchaff - - - 0 0 1Willow Warbler 80 26 106 61 118 3810Goldcrest - - - 0 0 3Firecrest - - - 1 0 23Spotted Flycatcher 2 2 4 0 3 258Pied Flycatcher 9 28 37 27 52 1384Long-tailed Tit - - - 0 0 5Coal Tit - - - 0 0 1Blue Tit 3 24 27 35 25 765Great Tit 2 3 5 2 4 73Short-toed Treecreeper - - - 0 0 17Golden Oriole - - - 0 0 13Woodchat Shrike 1 - 1 1 1 150Spotless Starling - - - 0 0 34House Sparrow 1 6 7 3 18 788Spanish Sparrow - - - 0 0 6House/Spanish Sparrow - - - 0 0 1Chaffinch 3 6 9 13 24 395Brambling - - - 0 0 2Serin 3 11 14 14 14 466Greenfinch 19 77 96 86 85 2457Goldfinch 2 2 4 8 4 463Siskin 1 - 1 3 8 153Linnet 2 - 2 0 2 62Common Rosefinch - - - 0 0 1Bullfinch - - - 0 3 18Hawfinch - - - 0 0 1Rock Bunting - - - 0 0 6Ortolan Bunting 2 - 2 0 2 27Corn Bunting - - - 0 1 8TOTAL 764 2793 3557 2094 2672 55687

Table 1 Annual Ringing Totals 2008 (cont.)

55GONHS

Griffon Vulture mobbed by Yellow-legged Gulls (Ernest Garcia)

56 Bird Report 2009

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APPENDIX 1A. MINIMUM DAILY TOTALS OF SOARING MIGRANTS. SPRING 2008

APPENDICES

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30-JAN 1 131-JAN 1 11-FEB 1 119-FEB 1 120-FEB 100 10021-FEB 1 124-FEB 10 1025-FEB 27 2726-FEB 1 128-FEB 352 16 2 4 1 37529-FEB 1 11-MAR 2 27-MAR 6 1333 26 8 1 1 1 1 13778-MAR 12 83 4 257 3 26 34 4199-MAR 14 5 644 7 70 7 5 12 1 1 9 77510-MAR 45 77 1664 5 357 10 15 19 1 1 219411-MAR 544 2 99 2 7 3 1 65812-MAR 1 115-MAR 8 2587 6 2 103 24 3 130 1 39 3 4 291016-MAR 391 5 32 4 1 31 1 39 1 50517-MAR 4 177 1 75 12 1 36 59 1 36618-MAR 136 3 13 24 4 17 19 5 22119-MAR 8 2 2 1 2 1 1622-MAR 8 207 7 6 5 23 21 2 2 28123-MAR 2 90 23 2 8 2 45 1 13 2 3 1 19224-MAR 25 1 2 7 2 3725-MAR 1 2 272 1 1 75 18 101 3 170 4 1 64926-MAR 1 339 1 15 14 12 85 1 245 2 1 71627-MAR 3 358 2 9 4 5 123 136 5 64528-MAR 3 60 42 2 24 3 5 41 115 1 29630-MAR 7 267 940 1 14 37 133 1 208 3 161131-MAR 267 4 1 16 11 1 3004-APR 1 1 26-APR 73 8 6 1 63 35 4 1907-APR 73 1 4 5 839-APR 200 20010-APR 6 611-APR 15 119 2 29 14 11 1 65 1 1 1 25912-APR 21 62 256 8 12 7 7 21 2 30 1 2 1 43013-APR 5 517-APR 48 1 2 3 3 5718-APR 12 199 9 5 2 11 1 20 3 262

See Systematic List for records of species represented by fewer than ten individuals

57GONHS

19-APR 43 3 2 4820-APR 355 2 2 6 1 36621-APR 12 290 3 57 15 34 1 86 49822-APR 3 302 5 2 1 22 42 1 37823-APR 2 226-APR 1 1 1 327-APR 5 1 628-APR 8 212 22 9 3 3 8 2 1 4 27229-APR 1 67 87 1 8 9 1 13 1 27 1 15 23130-APR 160 117 1 9 7 10 8 1 7 3201-MAY 177 6 1 2 1862-MAY 22 224-MAY 20 437 1 1 4595-MAY 22 2 2 268-MAY 167 1 1 1699-MAY 30 233 3 5 2 1 1 6 21 30210-MAY 31 22 59 2 6 5 12512-MAY 16 3 1 1 4 2513-MAY 386 98 7 2 3 1 5 50214-MAY 422 107 10 3 4 3 10 1 1 56116-MAY 19 18 2 1 1 4120-MAY 80 4 8421-MAY 1 5 622-MAY 15 1525-MAY 20 1 2126-MAY 6 1 6 1329-MAY 32 18 1 9 1 6130-MAY 031-MAY 8 10 3 1 221-JUN 13 20 8 4 14 1 602-JUN 4 38 9 19 703-JUN 1 15-JUN 2 2 411-JUN 1 122-JUN 1 123-JUN 1 124-JUN 1 2 1 425-JUN 1 17-JUL 1 124-JUL 1 1Totals 165 569 1944 13745 72 223 1276 206 86 1093 17 1572 46 15 22 42 21093

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58 Bird Report 2009

24-JUL 2 225-JUL 680 68026-JUL 91 9127-JUL 6 631-JUL 18 181-AUG 12 125-AUG 15 157-AUG 315 3158-AUG 64 1 1 6611-AUG 778 77812-AUG 600 1 60113-AUG 551 1 55214-AUG 2 219-AUG 1 121-AUG 5 524-AUG 1 125-AUG 1 129-AUG 10 1030-AUG 1 10492 245 9 1 11 38 14 2 1081231-AUG 3200 420 14 2 1 56 65 10 37681-SEP 2 1 1 43-SEP 1 1 1 2 55-SEP 1 16-SEP 1297 5 1 13037-SEP 6390 333 6 1 3 2 30 6 67719-SEP 1 3 35 3910-SEP 2 1 25 2811-SEP 86 1 1 4 9212-SEP 1718 37 1 1 3 25 51 4 184015-SEP 1 3 300 30421-SEP 60 6022-SEP 1 1 224-SEP 7 8 1 1 1025-SEP 1 129-SEP 1 1 230-SEP 9 9

APPENDIX 1B. MINIMUM DAILY TOTALS OF SOARING MIGRANTS. AUTUMN 2008

APPENDICES

See Systematic List for records of species represented by fewer than ten individuals

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59GONHS

1-OCT 3 5 80 882-OCT 5 50 180 2353-OCT 8 84-OCT 1 1 26-OCT 5 20 2012-OCT 4 5 914-OCT 3 315-OCT 1 116-OCT 12 1222-OCT 1 123-OCT 1 124-OCT 200 4 20425-OCT 1 5 628-OCT 1 129-OCT 206 2062-NOV 15 1 14-NOV 26 2 286-NOV 60 1 6112-NOV 1 1 228-NOV 1 1 2TOTALS 28 23205 4161 33 503 26 25 132 258 755 29098

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60 Bird Report 2009

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TotalsCommon Scoter 1 15 16Cory"s Shearwater 258 30 486 281 174 2130 3359Balearic Shearwater 33 19 23 22 15 26 8 11 4 161Northern Gannet 667 154 64 215 3 3 23 23 61 18 40 1271Great Cormorant 1 11 2 6 20Shag 3 17 2 5 1 1 1 2 1 2 35Arctic Skua 1 1Great Skua 2 1 1 4Mediterranean Gull 43 3 13 30 7 8 1 105Black-headed Gull 32 164 31 18 36 8 8 8 27 332Audouin"s Gull 2 2 13 5 58 328 82 42 14 5 551L Black-backed Gull 5 2 11 5 3 5 3 34Black Tern 40 40Caspian Tern 1 1Sandwich Tern 11 21 4 37 15 11 17 1 117Common Tern 12 1 4 17Puffin 1 5 6Coverage (hrs) 5 12 8 10 2 4 27 25 11 7 1 2 114

* Records included are the results of standard watches only. Other observations are referred to in the Systematic List.

Figures are totals of daily observations and do not necessarilyindicate the number of separate individuals involved.

APPENDIX 2. MONTHLY TOTALS OF SEABIRDS RECORDED AT EUROPA POINT*

61GONHS

CONTRIBUTING TO THE GIBRALTAR BIRD REPORT

All records of birds seen in or from Gibraltar are welcomed for incorporationinto the Society"s archives and for publication in the annual reports. Records fromadjacent regions of Spain are also gratefully received.

Records should be sent to the Recorder, Mr Charles E. Perez, GibraltarOrnithological and Natural History Society, PO Box 843, Gibraltar, [email protected]. Records of rarities should be accompanied by a full descrip-tion. The list of species for which such documentation is required may be viewed onthe GONHS website.

Other contributions for the Report should be sent to the Editor, preferably viaemail to [email protected]

Short-toed Eagle hunting (Ernest Garcia)

62 Bird Report 2009

THE GIBRALTAR ORNITHOLOGICAL &NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) was found-ed in 1976. Its aims are to promote the study and protection of the natural historyof Gibraltar, the Strait and its hinterland.

GONHS, a Gibraltar Registered Charity, is a membership-based non-gov-ernmental organisation. It is the Gibraltar Partner of BirdLife International, and amember of The World Conservation Union (IUCN), the Iberian Council for theDefence of Nature (CIDN) and the Bird Club Partnership of the British Trust forOrnithology.

The Society is active in many fields of biological research, nature conserva-tion, and wildlife management.

We very much welcome membership applications from persons who supportour aims. The annual subscription is £15 for individuals (£5 for under-18s and sen-ior citizens), £20 for families and £100 for Business Supporters. Join on-line via theSociety"s website (www.gonhs.org) or send your name, address and a cheque,made out to “GONHS”, to the Membership Secretary, GONHS, c/o The GibraltarBotanic Gardens, The Alameda, Red Sands Road, P.O. Box 843, Gibraltar.

Bird Report 2009

GIBRALTAR BIRD REPORT 2009

EDITOR Dr Ernest Garcia

CONTENTS Editorial.Acknowledgements.

BIRDS IN GIBRALTAR 2009Compiled by Ernest GarciaReview of the YearThe weather 2009The Systematic ListOmission from the Gibraltar Bird Report 2008List of Contributors 2009

A House Bunting Emberiza sahari nesting in a palm tree in Tangier, MoroccoJohn Cortes

Probable predation of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni by Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis in Algeciras, Cádiz, SpainJohn Cortes & Antonio Rizquez


Gibraltar Ringing Report 2009 Charles Perez

Appendices.Appendix 1 : Daily counts of migrant raptors and storks.Appendix 2 : Monthly totals of seabirds at Europa Point.

Contributing to the Gibraltar Bird Report

The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society

Published by theGIBRALTAR ORNITHOLOGICAL

AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETYPO Box 843, GibraltarTel. 00 350 200 72639 Fax. 00 350 200 74022Email [email protected]

Web Site www.gonhs.org

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