April 20th

The easterly winds picked up considerably overnight but luckily Mannez Quarry reserve offers enough shelter  to open a couple of nets despite the strong winds that ruled out Essex farm and Longis reserve. 20 Birds processed included  a Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Willow Warblers 6 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff. Birding from the reserve hide between net rounds was most productive. 4 Green Sandpipers (a species considered ‘occasional in Spring’ by Sanders ‘The Birds Of Alderney’) dropped in at about 0700hrs and were at home feeding along side a single Snipe. 8 Swifts passed over and 3 Ring Ouzel flew low across the quarry but headed through towards the higher ground. A female Common Redstart was also taking advantage of the sheltered corner of the quarry but eluded the nets.