40-50mph winds have encouraged birds that may normally pass by our island to take advantage of sheltered bays instead. Yesterday a Goosander, a local rarity was just off the north-east coast and today 6 Brent Geese.
Asst’ Warden Matt has also been making the most of the conditions getting out after dark with our thermal imaging camera and ringing Woodcock on both of the last two evenings.
Photo (JH) some of the Brent Geese at high tide this afternoon.
A several times enlarged photo of a Grey Phalarope I was delighted to come across this morning at Crabby Bay.
Today visual migration resumed somewhat, in particular hundreds of Starlings and Chaffinch along with Bramblings, Siskins, Skylarks and Winter Thrushes streamed over the island. Also today 4 Swallows.
The highlight was again amongst the ringing by way of a Cirl Bunting (photo JH)
An exciting day brought not one, but TWO species never before recorded in Alderney. The first was a Eurasian Treecreeper ringed at Essex Farm, a first for Alderney and 5th record for the Channel Islands where Short-toed Treecreeper is a breeding resident and Eurasian a major rarity.
This was surpassed by our first ever Pallid Harrier, a ring-tail was found and observed by assistant warden Matt Scragg this afternoon. Also today a Kingfisher along the NE coast, a smart Great Northern Diver in Longis Bay, 2 Barn Swallows in off the sea and a Herring Gull wearing a green colour ring from Bardsey Bird Observatory.
Photo (JH) this morning’s Treecreeper.