Oak Beauty Moth March 16, 2021
Cracking male Oak Beauty in the obs moth trap this morning along with a Pale Pinion moth.
Kittiwake and Lesser black backed Gull March 15, 2021
Our most productive sea bird watches tend to be when the wind blows from the north-west so I took a little extra time during this mornings daily census to watch the sea. Great to observe and record a healthy movement of Kittiwakes with 78 birds during a 45 minute spell and in the same time period 61 Lesser black backed Gulls, the latter likely headed to our resident breeding colony on Burhou Island. Elsewhere Chiffchaffs just into double figures and the long staying Great Spotted Woodpecker has been reported as visiting several gardens close to St. Anne allotments. Photo (JH),Lesser black backed Gull from this morning’s passage.
Purple Sandpipers March 12 2021
Over the last 20 years it has been estimated that there has been as much as a 99% decline of Purple Sandpipers in Guernsey recorded during the winter months, numbers dramatically dropping from around 100 birds each winter to just 1 !! Due to lack of historical coverage Alderney is unable to contribute data to the shocking decline of these often confiding little waders. This century there were no records at all in Alderney until the ABO began regular recording in 2016. Though numbers here are few we are at least recording these schedule 1 protected birds each winter. Today I was delighted to come across 3 Purple Sandpipers along our north east coastline. Photo from today (JH) Purple Sandpipers that appear to be the ‘long billed form’.
Moths March 3, 2021
A few moths in the ABO light-trap overnight, mostly Early Grey but also photo (1) Common Plume, (2)Common Quaker (3)Agonopterix heracliana and (4)Hebrew Character. Also recorded today, Firecrest, Merlin and a small influx of Chiffchaffs.
Gannet March 2, 2021
The Gannets are busy collecting seaweed to take back to their nests to present to their existing or prospective mates. Photo (JH) taken this morning from below Fort Tourgis, Gannet carrying seaweed.