Most of the morning was spent filming with Channel 4 for a new series on ‘Little British Islands’ to be broadcast this autumn. Luckily there wasn’t anything like the same volume of birds about as yesterday, and we were able to maintain normal ringing operations and liaise with the film crew at a pace that put the birds first. It is super to get the observatory and Alderney back on the TV again. Presenter Alison Steadman (of recent Gavin & Stacey fame) clearly has a genuine soft spot for wildlife, and birds in particular. The amiable and professional film crew made for a great morning on a beautiful day showcasing the Obs, soon to be broadcast to millions.
The deluge of Willow Warblers yesterday were all but absent this morning, interestingly these few stragglers were all under weight. Yesterdays birds were notable for their good weights displaying high scores of fat and muscle. Hopefully a few days here at Alderney’s migration refueling station will see this morning’s birds through. We processed 24 new birds, the very last of which (and just after the film crew departed) was this cracking 1st yr female Pied Flycatcher.
This evening there were about 40 Swallows and 12 Swift over Longis common.
Pied Flycatcher – 1st yr Female