A belated report from the 11th of 20+ Bottle nose Dolphins observed from Mannez lighthouse.
This week small movements of Swifts early in the week, migrants continue to pass through the island as we begin to see the winding down of the various breeding seabird colonies. Ravens have been evident across the island this week with a maximum count of 8 together at Barrackmasters Lane on 14th & 17th.
15th – A Yellow legged Gull on Crabby beach and a Barn Owl at Barrackmasters Lane.
17th – A Hen Harrier was seen at Barrackmasters Lane and again on the 19th at the airport. 4 Mediterranean Gulls seen of Mannez lighthouse
19th – 1 Sandwich Tern Braye Bay. A single Balearic Shearwater and 2 Kittiwake off chateau le toq. A Turtle Dove was seen over the golf course with a Wheatear at the same location. 12 House Martins were over the airfield.
Sunday 20th – At first light a Green Sandpiper was on Longis pond. An early and brief ringing session included migrant Willow, Sedge and Garden warblers moving ahead of a weather front from the North-West. Below a photo of the Garden Warbler, on its way to sub Saharan West Africa to spend the winter. At the bird observatory we monitor the condition of the birds passing through Alderney, it is of course always good to see healthy examples. This individual (pictured below) weighed in this morning at just over 24 grams, well over the average weight for this species of around 18 grams. These robust warblers should be carrying good fat and muscle to see them through their long journey, but this one was a particularly fine ‘and heavy’ bird.
At pm high tide: Braye Bay 35 Black headed Gulls, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern and 1 Grey Heron. Longis Bay 1 Whimbrel, along with 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 4 Sandwich Terns.