The last time Chough were recorded on Alderney was 14th February 1991.
Yesterday two Chough were seen by ABO Assistant Warden Charlotte Foote and Jacob Spinks, Assistant Warden from Dungeness Bird Observatory who was visiting Alderney for the weekend.
First seen flying from Fort Albert, they stopped briefly on the golf course. They were very vocal but did not get a warm reception from the local corvids, which didn’t let them settle.
Pictured, one of the Chough,photo: Charlotte Foote.
Photo: Purple Heron by Charlotte Foote.
Northerly wind made it feel like autumn this morning, with Redwings sweeping overhead at first light it could have been!
The first House Martin for the spring on Alderney was seen over Longis pond late morning.
During the sunny weekend the first Blue-headed Wagtail of the year for Alderney was at Whitegates and on Kiln farm.
Picture by Charlotte Foote.
Photo: Black Redstart, by Charlotte Foote
We are now just over two weeks into our spring migration work but so far the predominately NorthEasterly winds have made things slow going. The census has been carried out daily by Charlotte Foote, our migration assistant, and she has also assisted our new Warden, Matt Scragg, to start the spring ringing programme. A change in the wind overnight brought a few new birds in this morning. Chiffchaff, some with pollen horns from feeding up for migration, were seen throughout the recording area.
The first blackcap for the spring was at Longis and the first significant number of sand martin gathered for roost.
Pictured, by Charlotte Foote, is a Rustic Bunting from this morning ~ an unusual spring visitor.