Some fascinating and diverse records today. An excellent morning ringing included Fieldfare, Brambling, Yellow -browed Warbler, a UK ‘control’ Blackbird and our 2nd Little Bunting of the autumn, the latter was fitted with colour rings ( see photo) as part of a multi national research project investigating the expanding wintering range of this species. Field sightings included a Grey Phalarope and likely our last Swallow of 2024.
Image from today – Little Bunting.
The last two unseasonably warm days saw a clear out of birds across the island but this morning we were back in business with a fair influx of Starlings, around 1700 in off the sea and smaller numbers of winter thrushes which again featured amongst the ringing along with a Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 Reed Buntings.
Photo, male Reed Bunting.
This Tufted Duck was first spotted by our migration assistant Arcadie Fihey on the 9th of November on Crabby quarry and subsequently recorded daily during our census work, it was still present today.
A rare visitor for us but even rarer as it is wearing a tag on its bill, we think the first Alderney record of it’s kind, the bird was originally fitted with the identification numbered and lettered research tag at Dommartin-Dampierre in north eastern France in March this year.
Photo ( back of camera image)- the tagged Tufted Duck.
Two very calm days have seen a clear out of migrants and little visual migration. Nevertheless, 56 birds were ringed this morning including a Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 5 Fieldfares and 3 Linnets.
Photo this morning’s Jack Snipe.
Dusky Warbler this morning, the 6th record for Alderney (all since the ABO was launched in 2016).
Another busy morning for thrushes saw us ring our 1000th Redwing of this autumn, other species ringed included Siberian Chiffchaff, Fieldfare and Firecrest.
Photo today’s Dusky Warbler.
Groundhog day with another influx of thrushes this morning, at least 5 Woodcocks at Longis Common. 103 birds were ringed, this total included 6 Fieldfare, 10 Blackcap and a very late moving male Ring Ouzel.
Photo, this morning’s Ring Ouzel.