A period of predominantly southerly and westerly winds not the greatest for us for autumn migration but still plenty going on including 7 days in the field leading a visiting Naturetrek group.
Little Egret numbers are up with individual high counts of 7 on the NE coastline on the 13th and a ‘seige’ of 5 at high tide on the 18th at Clonque Bay, they are likely well into double figures across the island. The back end of the amazing movement of Honey Buzzards involved single birds seen over Essex Hill on the 11th & 13th, the latter showing very well to an appreciative Naturetrek audience. A Hen Harrier was seen a first light at Mannez quarry by Tim Earl and later in the morning seen over Longis common by Justin Hart and a group of naturalists staying at the bird observatory. Sparrowhawks have been seen daily and likely involve migrating birds with 3 on the 13th and 19th. The same can be said for Kestrels with 5 on view at the same time at the Giffione on the 17th. Single Merlin’s have been recorded on the 11th, 12th & 18th. Water Rails can now be heard daily at both Mannez quarry and Longis pond. Rising wader counts include 150 Oystercatchers in Clonque Bay on the 18th along with 38 Curlew and a Whimbrel. 26 Ringed Plovers 10th-12th at the north end of Longis bay along with a Grey Plover on the 18th and 6 Sanderlings 18th&19th. Single Dunlin were seen 12th & 16th, the small group of Bar-tailed Godwit totalled 4 on the 14th with at least 3 still present to the 19th. A Greenshank was seen in the vicinity of Corbletts on the 15th & 18th. A Green Sandpiper passed over Longis pond on the 15th and 4 Common Sandpipers were on the shingle bank opposite fort Houme Herbe on the 14th. A handful of Mediterranean Gulls are still around with 3 amongst a roost of 59 Black headed Gulls at the north end of Braye Bay on the 15th along with 2 Sandwich Terns. Up to 20 Lesser black backed Gulls remain in Crabby Bay. A Kingfisher was seen at Corbletts quarry on the 17th and then a very obliging first year bird showed well at Longis pond on the 18th. Yet another Wryneck was seen on the 19th (this one near to coastguards cottages). 2 Tree Pipits passed over Longis common on the 13th and 75 Meadow Pipits were recorded during our daily census on the 16th. An influx of Rock Pipits saw 26 recorded along the NE coastline on the 11th. White Wagtails are being seen across the island and a roost of 16 was present around The Douglas Quay on the 18th. A Redstart was seen at Barackmasters Lane by Paul Veron on the 14th, Whinchats were recorded on 4 separate days on Longis common (3 on the 18th). Some 35 Wheatears were around the pig pens at Giffoine on the 13th. Migrant Song Thrushes and Blackbirds are beginning come in and at the same time we are seeing the last of the Whitethroats and Willow Warblers moving out. Firecrests are also appearing with 3 on the 16th&17th at Mannez (2 ringed). Several Spotted Flycatchers have been seen with 2 birds showing well feeding in St. Annes allotments on the 15th, single Pied Flycatchers were seen on the 14th and 17th.
A very successful Naturetrek tour aided by a very sunny and warm few days also recorded 15 species of Butterfly including Clouded Yellow, almost 200 species of Wild flowers including Alderney Sea Lavender and Autumn ladies Tresses Orchid. An extensive moth list from the observatory trap included Clifden Nonpareil and Spanish Carpet. Also seen; ‘Blonde Hedgehog’, Wasp Spider, Great Green Bush Cricket, a bird ringing demonstration, boat trip to our Gannet colony, and lastly possibly a new species of Bat for the island were all enjoyed by the ‘buzzing’ group of visiting naturalists.
Wasp Spider (female) Houme Herbe – photo – JH