This week has seen the primary massive push within the spring migration right here at Gibraltar. It’s not been simple for the birds, sturdy winds and rain having interrupted the passage a number of occasions. Though not perfect for the birds themselves, these situations have made for spectacular moments for these watching them. I’ve been following this migration for over fifty years, since I used to be a little bit boy, and every season is analogous, but fairly totally different. The general sample stays the identical however, as this 12 months, native dangerous climate has delayed the passage of some species by over per week.
A break within the climate within the final couple of days allowed hundreds of raptors to get throughout. These birds had been build up in numbers on the Moroccan shore, with recent arrivals every day, till they have been capable of get throughout. The numbers in a few days have been put at round 8,000 Quick-toed Snake Eagles (Circaetus gallicus), 12,000 Black Kites (Milvus migrans) and over 500 Black Storks (Ciconia nigra) with a sprinkling of different raptors. That is solely the start and we might anticipate many extra because the month advances and, hopefully, situations enhance.
One characteristic about Gibraltar is the variety of the migration. You will be watching raptors one minute and seabirds the following, from the identical spot! There are nonetheless loads of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) about and this week. They’ve been with us all winter and can quickly be returning to their North Atlantic breeding colonies. This week additionally noticed the arrival of flocks of Scopoli’s Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) as they entered the Mediterranean after a four-month sojourn within the South Atlantic.
The rain has additionally been pushing down passerine and near-passerine migrants. These birds discovered shelter within the olive scrub the place they fed frantically earlier than persevering with the journey. Some even used the rain swimming pools for a fast drink and bathtub. Among the many early trans-Saharan migrants this week, I might spotlight Hoopoe (Upupa epops), of which there have been a lot, the primary Woodchat Shrikes (Lanius senator) and the harbinger of the long-distance migrants: the Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). The primary contingents of Pallid Swifts (Apus pallidus) have arrived on schedule.
A number of the birds which have spent the winter with us are getting ready to go away and are joined by contingents that spent the winter in Morocco. You may all the time inform the arrivals by their nervous behaviour and since they present up in uncommon places. Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros), Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita), Robins (Erithacus rubecula), Music Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) and Gray Wagtails (Motacilla cinerea) have been among the many extra apparent species this week.
That is an thrilling time to be right here on the shores of the Strait of Gibraltar. Every day is totally different and brings with it its surprises. They might take the type of new species arrivals or just the arrival of hundreds of raptors in a single go. We’ll now have migration of 1 kind or one other till the top of June. I’ll maintain readers posted on developments.
