A locally unusual Rook was spotted today, just 2 records in over 200 years in Alderney prior to the commencement of the ABO.
The observatory has now recorded 4 individuals during the last 6 years. Singles birds spotted in 2017, 2020, 2021 and now 2022 suggest that whilst this unlikely species is indeed rare here, it occurs most years.
Photo (JH) of todays Rook with a Crow behind it offering some comparison between the two species.
Our recent years of consistent monitoring has identified that two pairs of kestrels successfully breed locally most years. The previously unknown factor concerning this species and Alderney has been the comparatively large numbers of this species that stop over on and pass through the island during each early autumn.
This annual movement (almost certainly comprising Kestrels from the nearby continent) is predominantly young birds and it is not unusual to record 10+ Kestrels across the island on any given day during September.
A super photo sent in by Sandy Robertson of one our resident adult male Kestrels sheltering during the storms this week prompted this post.
Just over 3cm of rainfall here over the last week has been very welcome but we need an awful lot more to rescue Longis reserve from having a dry summer and possibly even dry spring. At the very time water levels are normally at their highest with parts of the reserve pond at 6ft deep and over, the current water level is so low that there is barely enough water to float a duck!
Hundreds of thousands of migrant birds are soon to begin passing through Alderney and many will have this little oasis in their ‘mind map’ as an important stopover not only for a welcome drink but also to feed on the insects, rest and roost in the reedbed. Then follows a bustling breeding season with Grebes, Rails and Warblers amongst many others breeding at this site. Hundreds of visitors and residents annually enjoy this spectacle from the comfort of our splendid Naturetrek hide, but for all this to happen there must be water.
Photos above illustrating the water level January 2022 (top pic ) against January 2021 (bottom pic). The exposed part of the same marker stick above water, circled in yellow in the 2022 pic.
A lovely group of 11 visitors from Guernsey this past weekend taking a private guided tour as part of a birthday celebration. Image (thanks Jo) shows part of the group exploring some of our fascinating and spooky underground tunnels!