Seals, Swifts & Orchids

Seals, Swifts & Orchids

by | Sep 8, 2022

A blustery but productive day in the field leading the last Naturetrek Alderney holiday groups of the year recording everything from Autumn ladies tresses orchid to Atlantic Grey Seal.
Today’s highlight  was an Alpine Swift heading SW over the golf course this morning.
Image (JH) one of today’s orchids.
May be a close-up of nature
Red Admiral

Red Admiral

by | Sep 6, 2022

A very obliging Red Admiral butterfly settled outside Alderney Bird Observatory field station this afternoon.
Photo: JH

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

by | Sep 5, 2022

More striking Willow Warblers moving through the island this morning. Other ringing included 3 Whinchats and a Tree Pipit.
Also seen today 2 Honey Buzzards and an adult Common Gull.
Image (JH) one of today’s Willow Warblers.

A good haul!

A good haul!

by | Sep 4, 2022

Wryneck bird
Yesterday a juvenile Honey Buzzard hung around the north east end of the island for most of the morning and a Purple Heron dropped in at Longis pond at dusk, the bird ringing included a UK Control Sand Martin.
This morning the Purple Heron was seen heading east as dawn broke, another Wryneck, 4 Tree Pipits, 2 Whinchats, 2 Redstarts a Dartford Warbler and a French Control Reed Warbler were the pick of the birds from the ringing. Visual migration has also included Yellow Wagtails and a Merlin.
Photo – today’s Wryneck by Matt Scragg.
Wryneck

Wryneck

by | Aug 29, 2022

Some good variety amongst the bird ringing this morning which included Tree Pipit, Common Redstart, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher and Wryneck ( photo JH).