In the 1980’s Bullfinch was listed locally as a ‘fairly common breeding resident”, though their decline locally is entirely undocumented, since we launched the ABO in 2016 the Bullfinch has been a rare spring and scarce autumn migrant only, and not even recorded annually. However, we are delighted to report that through our ringing research efforts earlier this summer, Bullfinch was confirmed as successfully breeding this year. Further, we have seen more migrant Bullfinches this autumn than in any of our previous years of survey work. Both locally and abroad these birds appear to have had a good year.
Photo: male Bullfinch ringed this morning.
Thrushes and finches still pouring through the island, an increase in Blackbirds today was obvious amongst the birds ringed from first light.
Water Pipit, Woodcock, Merlin, Common Scoter, Great Northern Diver and Black Redstart were all recorded today, a locally scarce Shoveler was found by our migration assistant this afternoon and a locally rare Tufted Duck spotted in fading light this evening is the first Alderney record since 2018.
Photo (JH) the Tufted Duck ( back of camera image).
In the 1980’s Bullfinch was listed locally as a ‘fairly common breeding resident”, though their decline locally is entirely undocumented.
Since we launched the ABO in 2016 the Bullfinch has been a rare spring and scarce autumn migrant only, and not even recorded annually.
However, we are delighted to report that through our ringing research efforts earlier this summer, Bullfinch was confirmed as successfully breeding this year. Further, we have seen more migrant Bullfinches this autumn than in any of our previous years of survey work. Both locally and abroad these birds appear to have had a good year.
Photo: male Bullfinch ringed this morning.
Increases today in species we associate with the colder weather; Skylarks, Siskins, Woodcocks, Snipe, Lapwings and Golden Plovers. Another busy morning ringing, 107 new birds were again mostly Redwings but also Fieldfare, Brambling and our 6th Yellow-browed Warbler of this autumn.
Photo: today’s Yellow browed Warbler.