On Saturday, GONHS celebrated EuroBirdwatch, an event we have participated in every year since its inception in 1993.

The day began at our Jews’ Gate Field Centre, where bird ringing was taking place as from 8am.  There was a steady trickle of birds, migrant and residents, including Sardinian Warblers, Blackcaps, Pied Flycatchers, Robins and others, but most impressive was an adult male Subalpine Warbler in beautiful condition.  The event was very well attended and the resident ringers gave excellent demonstrations of the work involved.  A moth trap had also been operated overnight and the over 40 species of moths recorded provided much entertainment as visitors took turns viewing and photographing the selection of moths on display, before they were released.

Michael and Ian

Activity at the Ringing Station at Jews' Gate

Activity at the Ringing Station at Jews' Gate

Subalpine Warbler

Ringing Room

Ringing Room

Greenfinch

Lin with T Shirts

The second event of the morning was at Tovey Cottage, kindly made available by the Department of the Environment.  There, a raptor display was put on by our Raptor Rescue Unit, with a range of birds including incredibly impressive Golden Eagle and Eurasian Eagle-owl that really captured the public’s attention, whilst overhead raptor migration consisted of a trickle of Sparrowhawks and a Marsh Harrier.  The event was supported by the Minister for the Environment and staff from the Department of the Environment.

Golden Eagle

Shane at Tovey

Tovey Cottage Interpretation Centre

Tovey Cottage Interpretation Centre

Tovey Cottage Interpretation Centre

Tovey Cottage Interpretation Centre

Tovey Cottage Interpretation Centre

Bonellis Eagle

The final event was at Europa Point, for a sea watch at our observatory at Harding’s Observation Post.  Numbers of birds were not large, but there was enough variety to generate interest for the visitors, which again were more than expected.  Seabirds included Scopoli’s, Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters, a Cormorant, some Audouin’s, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, Gannets and a Common Sandpiper on the rocks below.  A steady trickle of soaring birds included three Black Storks high above.

Our thanks to the public and our members for attending and making the event so successful!