by Alderney Bird Warden | Mar 1, 2021
Today saw the launch of the standardised daily census monitoring of spring migration for 2021. A sunny if a little chilly day, none of the classic passerine migrants yet but freshly arrived were several small flocks of Pied Wagtails and over 100 Meadow Pipits. The highlight was conformation that Zitting Cisitcola is present sparking hopes of another successful breeding season on the back of last year. Also today 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Grey Wagtail and 2 Redwings amongst almost 50 species recorded. Photo from today (JH), one of this mornings Pied Wagtails.
by Alderney Bird Warden | Feb 24, 2021
Wonderful Grey Seal hunting between the lighthouse and Fort Quesnard this afternoon. Photo (JH).
by Alderney Bird Warden | Feb 23, 2021
NEWS FROM THE NUNNERY
John Horton was featured in a Guernsey Press news article today (23 Friday) and will be on BBC Radio Guernsey this evening at 5:50. Don’t miss it.
“ALDERNEY Bird Observatory has joined a national research project which should help to further enhance the Bailiwick’s international reputation.”
by Alderney Bird Warden | Feb 22, 2021
Late afternoon I was pleased to see a Rook at Kiln farm fields. Historical records of this species in Alderney are of singles in 1988, and 2003 only. In April 2017 the ABO recorded the first Rook for 14yrs, and then in April 2020 we had a further bird making todays individual the 3rd since we launched the ABO in 2016. The comparative succession of recent records achieved for this species through standardised annual monitoring is perhaps giving us the first realistic understanding of the status of Rook in Alderney; they are indeed rare, but much closer to being an annual visitor than 2 previous records in 200 years would suggest. Other signs of movements of birds today with a male Shelduck, 77 Meadow Pipits, 13 Stonechats (8 together at one location) and as the light fell away 2 Woodcocks flew by Mannez Lighthouse whilst I was training our bat monitor on our first Pipistrelle Bat of the year. Photo todays Rook (JH).
by Alderney Bird Warden | Feb 17, 2021
Though one or two birds usually over-winter here, one of the early moving and returning migrants we look out for in Alderney is the Lesser black backed Gull. This species has a well established breeding colony on Burhou island just offshore from mainland Alderney. The warmer weather seems to have set things in motion and today was the first small influx of these attractive Gulls. Photo (JH) a few of the 32 Lesser black-backed Gulls recorded today.
