Trip reports
Weekend at Gibraltar Point April 9th-11th
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Lunch was eaten in the hide overlooking one of the Osprey nest's where the female waited patiently for the male to return from his fishing trip.
When he finally returned with a large roach, she turned up her nose at his offering. He flew to a nearby post and consumed his rejected present.
Leaving Rutland, we crossed the Lincolnshire Wold to a small wood where both Willow and Marsh Tit are found. Neither were seen but Bullfinch, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were seen or heard.
Arriving at the Centre, the first bird seen was a Short-eared Owl quartering the marshes in front of the centre.
After settling in to our rooms and a fine meal we ventured out for a walk around the marsh.The Short-eared Owl was still patrolling the marsh, but was soon joined by a Barn Owl.
A ring-tailed Hen Harrier appeared on the marsh as two Merlins flashed through trying to catch an unsuspecting Meadow Pipit or Skylark. What a fantastic evening.
Most of the group were up before dawn to visit an area close to the Centre where a Grasshopper Warbler had been heard reeling. Some of the group heard him singing,but it was very brief but Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat were seen. A pair of Black Redstarts roosted on the centre and Grey Partridge used the Centre's lawn.
After breakfast we wandered down to the saltings to look for waders. Dunlin, Curlew and a Red-breasted Merganser were seen.
In a full day of wandering, Brambling, Fieldfare, Avocet, Black-headed Gulls and Yellow Wagtails were all seen along with Brown Hare and Chinese Water Deer.
Another evening walk saw us watching the Owls and the Hen Harrier plus a flock of Corn Bunting.
The last morning saw the group, yet again waiting and listening for the Grasshopper Warbler, this time with great success, not only hearing but seeing not 1 but 2 ( possibly a breeding pair ).
We left the Centre after breakfast heading home via the RSPB Frampton Marsh reserve.
On reaching the visitors centre, we were told there had been a large incoming flock of Yellow Wagtails on the reserve.Along with the Wagtails, other migrating species we saw included Swallows, Garganey, Black-tailed Godwits, Twite and for a lucky few, Lapland Bunting.
The only blemish on a great weekend was the horrendous traffic around West London as we arrived back.