Todays highlights were both Ospreys, Chris Bale (migration assistant) had one over the observatory at mid-day and I was fortunate to be able to point out another one to my excited Island tour group who watched it in off the sea this afternoon at 1620hrs at the Giffoine. Also recorded this morning 2 Reed Buntings, a Reed Warbler and a Common Sandpiper. Photo (JH) a record shot of the 2nd Osprey.
A Stone Curlew spotted this morning during our daily census was quite a surprise, it’s the first recorded in Alderney in over 100yrs! The last confirmed record was of a one shot in 1887.
Photo of this mornings Stone Curlew ( back of camera image) better pics to follow from Chris Bale.
Today’s highlights: 7 Ring Ouzels, 4 on the West coast and a further 3 males at Essex farm this morning.
Birds ringed included a Firecrest and our first Common Redstart of the year.
Photo from this morning (JH) two of the three Ouzels at Essex.
Several Tree Pipits ‘ over’ these past few days and the first of the spring ringed this morning (see photo) amongst a fall of mainly Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers. Other field observations today included Black Redstart and Fieldfare.
First influx of Blackcaps this morning included 54 ringed along with a Bullfinch ( a rare spring migrant here) also our first Sedge Warbler of the spring, by far our earliest spring record to date for this species and one of the first few recorded in the British Isles this year. Photo (JH) this mornings Sedge Warbler.