22nd – A single Grey Heron high over Giffione and 3 Teal at Rose Farm. At least two Water Rails were very vocal at Longis pond reserve where the Tufted Duck and Gadwall remain.
23rd, A Black Redstart was seen on the daily census, also 3 Sandwich Terns. Record of the day came from Dr.Sandy Robertson who managed a record shot of a bird passing Platte Saline. Luckily the photo was good enough for us to pin it down to one species, a Goosander. Another new bird for the ABO, only one previous record for Alderney.
Goosander – Platte Saline – photo – Dr. Sandy Robertson
24th, The observatory daily census walk has really come up trumps this spring regards sightings of some unusual visitors. Today Justin came across this magnificent White-spotted Bluethroat in the Mannez lighthouse garden. There are surprisingly few historical records of this species given our geographical location, it is likely that these super little ‘Robin-like’ birds have simply been under-recorded due to lack coverage, the next few years observatory research work will give us a better idea of their regularity or otherwise. Still very few other grounded migrants around though a marked increase in Meadow Pipits (up to around 200 birds) was recorded, also 5 Wheatears, 2 Skylarks, 7 White Wagtails, 2 Firecrests, 1 Redwing and 3 Whimbrels. Peregrines were on the move, my afternoon island tour party got great views of a pair displaying over Giffione and late in the afternoon Justin and I were lucky enough to watch one from the Observatory, dive and take a Woodpigeon hitting it at somewhere around 200mph over Longis Bay.
Well done Sandy, superb photos thank you.
Bluethroat – Mannez Lighthouse – Photo x 2 Dr Sandy Roberston
