by Alderney Bird Warden | Sep 18, 2023
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Roger Taylor.
Roger was the bird ringing trainer of our own warden John Horton. Roger closely followed the progress of Alderney Bird Observatory, in 2022 having given up bird ringing due to ill health, Roger sent all of his research equipment to the ABO that it may be used to help with the training of future generations.
John said, “Roger ringed the north Kent/Greater London Thames-side marshes for decades contributing valuable data evidencing species rich environments in and close to London, he was very knowledgeable and diligent; I consider myself very fortunate to have had him as my ringing trainer and call him my friend”. Roger had been battling cancer for several years, our condolences to all his family.
Image: Roger at Crossness Marshes, Belvedere, London where he spent thousands of hours bird ringing and assisting with volunteer conservation work.
by Alderney Bird Warden | Sep 14, 2023
Another NEW species for Alderney, a species also unrecorded across the other Bailiwick Islands (Guernsey Sark & Herm) and indeed in the Channel Islands full stop.
Confirmation was received this morning that an Ichneumon wasp – Eutanyacra picta that we discovered in one of the Observatory moth traps last week is a first record not just for Alderney but for the entire Channel Islands. The recent high pressure and soaring temperatures were perfect conditions for unusual species to disperse further afield and this parasitic wasp was an exciting find, a rare insect, it appears to have just one UK record and a handful of historical records in Europe.
by Alderney Bird Warden | Sep 5, 2023
Honey Buzzard at Rose Farm this afternoon, back of camera image.
(Photo: JH).
by Alderney Bird Warden | Sep 3, 2023
Today saw our first notable passage of Swallows and Martins with around 300 passing through the census area between 7-11am. Osprey, two Dotterel and 6 Yellow Wagtails were notable field observations. Ringing included 8 Tree Pipits, Common Redstart and Cetti’s Warbler.
Photo (JH) this mornings Cetti’s Warbler.
by Alderney Bird Warden | Aug 30, 2023
Confirmation has been received that a species of Beetle ‘ Stenoria analis’ is the latest addition to the extensive list of flora and fauna never before recorded on Alderney until discovered by the ABO team.
ABO warden John Horton said ‘The range of experts and enthusiasts that our observatory has brought to this historically under-watched and largely under-recorded island has given rise to more that 50 new species from mammals, birds and plant species to a wide variety of insects and allies being found by our staff, volunteers, visitors and guests over just a few years.
This latest find was made during a visiting specialist wildlife holiday group led by ABO staff this past week, it’s all great evidence of Alderney’s rich biodiversity and the importance of the fragile ecosystem on this tiny island, our work is bringing hundreds of visitors to Alderney and the wider Bailiwick each year to experience the wonderful and extraordinary assortment of wildlife that our islands support.
Photo JH; Stenoria analis
