Jim's Birding: Gibraltar Point

After the Bucks Bird Club trip to Norfolk was cancelled, my daughter Katherine and I decided to return to what was an annual birding trip, at Gibraltar Point, near Skegness, Lincolnshire. We stayed at the Links Hotel, which was a short drive from the reserve (a National Nature Reserve!).

Saturday started off with SW winds, so the early morning seawatch was poor for moving seabirds, but amazing for waders seeking solid ground at high tide. An estimated 30,000 Knot (the wardens estimate) swirled around in front of us before landing on a sand bar right in front of Mill Hill! Also present were countless numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and Sanderling.

Knot - some of the 30,00 swirling around just after dawn.

Some of the Knot and other waders at the high tide roost, with various Gulls in the background.

Late afternoon the wind turned Northerly and the late afternoon was good with lots of Gannets and Sooty Shearwaters, until increasingly heavy rain forced us to seek shelter. The rain continued for several hours and at dawn it was dry and the wind still coming from the N. We joined Kevin (the warden), local birders Nigel and Stewart at Mill Hill to watch a lot of seabird movements, including a Bonxie and an Arctic Skua, plenty of Sooty Shearwaters and Gannets, Eider, Common Scoter, etc. Overhead Kevin picked up a calling Lapland Bunting and Tree Sparrows, while Redpoll, Bramblings and Redwings. Kevin also picked up a Yellow-browed Warbler calling a short distance away but we failed to see it.

We later found out that no less than six Yellow-browed Warblers were caught and ringed and later still an estimated 22 were present on the reserve! Katherine and I actually saw six and heard a couple more. Unfortunately none were photographable.

We also visited the freshwater areas of the reserve at Tennyson Sands and Jackson Marsh, where photography was a little easier. A surprise find was three Bearded Tits which we watched fairly distantly and then saw them fly off towards Jackson Marsh. This was a surprise to the warden as they are not regular here.

Tennyson Sands - Some of the birds on this part of the reserve, including Spoonbill, Black-tailed Godwit.

Little Grebe - There were probably 20+ Little Grebes on the freshwater areas, including this individual
which repeatedly stood up, which is rather odd for Grebe.

Avocets - Some of the group on Tennyson Sands

Spoonbills - These three were present on the Saturday
but only one remained the following day.

Curlew Sandpiper - This individual had an injured leg which may explain
why it was still present and it's companions had departed.

Greenshank - One of an influx of six birds on Sunday morning.

Pink-footed Geese - some of the 22 seen from the Tennyson Sands hide.

Kingfisher - Seen from The Mere hide.

Little Egrets - 15 on the salt marsh.

Stonechat - One of two photographed from the impressive new visitor centre.

The new Visitor/Information Centre is certainly impressive. It is raised up to avoid flooding (that destroyed the old accommodation blocks) so the cafe/shop level is one level up. Then there is an upper level which is open and gives great views across the reserve. Higher than we could ever see before.