I had a soft spot for the ABO’s old ringing room despite it’s dampness and holes in the floor!
However our new purpose built research facility knocks it for six, not least because it has electricity. I’m sure all future visiting ringers will appreciate and enjoy the new set up, especially those who made the best of the old one!
Photo below ringing this afternoon at the new ABO Essex Farm research station. A special thank you to those who made it happen.
Checking 2nd brood overwintering sites today for the Bloxworth Snout moth, a species that is resident in the Channel Islands but rare across most of the UK. Numbers varied greatly across several local sites ranging from just 6 individuals at one location to 83 at another.
Photo taken today (JH) of the Bloxworth Snout.
So good to be able to publish really positive news and today it concerns Alderney’s Fulmar population, this morning the highest totals we have seen in recent years were around 85 birds present on the SW cliffs. These majestic seabirds include Jellyfish in their diet and the ‘EURING’ longevity database has the oldest bird on record as 43yrs and 11 months.
Photo 2 pairs of Fulmars content at their nest sites. Also today 5 Snipe, 5 Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and Black Redstart.
The ABO would like to thank all of the individuals who have contacted us with enquiries about joining the ABO team this year. We are delighted to confirm that last years Assistant Warden Mathew Scragg is staying with us for 2022. Matt had a terrific year in 21′ and we look forward to working with him again at the British Isles most southerly Bird Observatory.
Picture, Matt at our new observatory HQ surveying Dartford Warblers.
This morning brought Alderney’s 12th ever record of Pintail, a fine drake, this species was first recorded here in 1863 then followed just 5 records during the following 153yrs! Since the ABO began a consistent monitoring program in 2016 we have added 7 records in 6yrs indicating the species is certainly rare here but apparently an annual visitor. Also spotted today a smart Kingfisher and on the high tide Sanderling and Dunlin amongst the Ringed Plovers. Water Rail was recorded at five different sites.
Photo below (JH) today’s Pintail