September 3rd

September 3rd

SW winds continued overnight and today. This is probably the least favourable wind direction for us concerning birds migrating through Alderney. The conditions reflected today’s return very clearly with  just 9 new birds ringed.

On Longis Beach 4 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Dunlin. 1 White Wagatail at Fort Raz. 4 Kestrels and a Buzzard over Longis Reserve. 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Yellow Wagtails over Mannez Reserve.

Insects were far more interesting today. Below photos of an enormous Great Green Bush Cricket, the second found and extracted from the mist nets this week, and a fantastic female Wasp Spider found by my 7 yr old daughter Deryn on Longis Reserve. The spider was busy wrapping up a moth for storing in the larder.

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Great Green Bush Cricket

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Great Green Bush Cricket – photos Samantha Osborne