Very few records for the 2nd half of December with Justin and I both having spells returning to the UK. Highlights being a Great Skua seen off Mannez lighthouse on the 22nd and a Reed Bunting at Longis pond on the 30th. A big finish to 2018 was a Richards Pipit found by Justin 30th Dec (present 31st) on the south cliffs area. This is only the 2nd record for Alderney, the last being very nearly 40yrs ago 29th August 1979!
And so to the end of another exciting year and into our observatory’s first full year equipped with newly renovated accommodation that we are enormously proud of. Thanks from Cathy and I on behalf of all the ABO team to everyone following, supporting and being part of our progress. There are exciting times ahead with the ABO hosting the Channel islands ringers AGM in March. Also in March we are attending and speaking at the international bird observatories conference in Israel. In the summer we should also be at the British bird watching fair. Plans are underway for the ABO to host a ringing course for spring 2020 and other progressing projects in the pipeline are likely to be announced early in the first quarter of the new year.
We hope to se you here in Alderney during 2019. Happy New Year one and all.
Great black backed Gulls – Alderney – photo Dr.S Roberstson.