Sparrowhawk
Strong winds didn’t detract from the sublime song of a Nightingale at the campsite this morning. We were still able to ring in the shelter of Mannez quarry where a Sparrowhawk was the highlight.
Image (JH) this morning’s Sparrowhawk.
Yellow Wagtail
A spell of strong unfavorable winds and cold nights have held up migrants but in common with some significant reports of falls’ along the UK south coast these past few days an influx here over the last 72 hours was reflected in our ringing effort 16th- 18th April recording 502 birds as follows: 15 Sand Martin, 87 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 8 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 7 Common Redstart, 2 Northern Wheatear, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackbird, 1 Ring Ouzel, 175 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Common Whitethroat, 12 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 112 Willow Warbler, 46 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 3 Chaffinch & 6 Goldfinch. Also 3 foreign controls 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Lesser Redpoll. Oh and one very happy visiting UK ringer, Hannah Collins.
Photo (MS),Yellow Wagtail.
Motus
We are delighted to announce that our Motus wildlife tracking system is now operational at our observatory HQ.
It is very exciting to join this international collaborative network.
Special thanks to all those involved with getting this research kit up and running in the Channel Islands.
We are now a listening station filling an important gap in the European network, it will be fascinating to see what comes our way.
Bird Race
The 3rd Alderney Bird Race on Saturday 22nd April 2023
Across the world tens of thousands of birdwatchers annually take part in bird races. Bird watchers compete to compile the highest bird lists, recording as many different species as they can in a single day.
Through the ABO’s research, Alderney is now recognised internationally as a leading location to enjoy watching birds and last year we held the second Alderney Bird Race.
Teams of keen birdwatchers from Alderney and Guernsey have already registered, looking to be crowned Alderney Bird Race Champions and take possession of ‘The Alderney Puffin’ currently held by the 2022 winners who recorded 74 species in one day.
If you would like further information and/or want to take part in the Alderney Bird race just contact ABO warden John Horton on abo.warden@outlook.com
Ring Ouzel
Eat sleep repeat this morning as again whilst it was fairly slow going another Ring Ouzel found our mist nets, one of 3 recorded in the census area this morning. A Hobby was spotted along the NE coast this afternoon. Photo (Matt Scragg) this morning’s ringed Ring Ouzel .