Catching up: We are delighted to have gotten underway a small area sewn with Wild flower bird friendly winter seed crop aimed at attracting finches and Buntings this autumn/winter. Thanks to the all who came and helped out but in particular to land owner Bruno Kay-Mouat for supporting the project on his property and to Jamie Hooper (Environmental Guernsey LTD) who brought the seed crop over from Guernsey and advised best practice moving the project forwards.
Jamie Hooper (left) with John Horton (Obs warden) at winter seed crop site Essex Farm
Assistant warden Justin and I have now both recently caught photographers standing in front of the viewing side the new Naturetrek bird hide (between the hide and the pond). Whilst photographers can get all of 15ft closer by walking out in front of the hide and standing at the edge of the pond, it is highly likely that there will be nothing to photograph by this stage as the behaviour has frightened everything away ! So our ask is for all photographers to put the wildlife and others enjoyment of it ahead of a slightly better photo.
As set out in the states approved Alderney Wildlife Trust 5yr conservation plan, the path at the rear of Longis reserve pond has now been temporarily closed. This will vastly reduce disturbance to nesting birds and other wildlife during a crucial period during the breeding season. Access across the front of the pond is unchanged. Thanks in advance for your co-operation in this matter.
22nd – A Siskin was seen at the community woodland and a Nightingale heard singing at Newtown. At Houme Herbe singles of Curlew, Whimbrel and Grey Plover along with Small Copper and Glanville fritillary butterflies. Green Hairstreak butterfly (males) have been seen at Giffoine, Cambridge battery and near to fort clonque.
Green Hiarstreak Butterfly – Giffoine – photo – ABO
Little Grebe with chicks – Longis pond – photo – Justin Hart
23rd -Wheatear Longis Common, Sanderling and a Black headed Gull Braye Beach (unseasonal record). 2 White Wagtails on and a Peregrine over Saye beach. Sparrowhawk at Rose Farm.
24th -Hobby over the golf course
Swallow – Whitegates – photo – Sandy Robertson
25th – Male Shoveler Longis pond
26th – Visiting amateur naturalists Brenda,Bernard Pat and Pam had a Cuckoo at Clonque and our first Pyramidal Orchid spotted along Longis road.
27th -Common Sandpiper Longis Bay, 20 House Martins Barrackmasters Lane, immature Buzzard Kiln Farm.
28th – Some ringing at Essex farm ahead of the storm produced Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff along with recently fledged Blackbird, Robin and Greenfinch. At 0815 local birder and ringing trainee John Weir spotted a Red Kite flying over the bird observatory. The Kite headed NE towards Mannez and an hour later came back over the obs in the opposite direction heading over Essex Hill. The bird was seen again over telegraph by Paul and Catherine Veron just after 10am. In Longis Bay 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone and a Grey seal. PM the Kite was showing well over Whitegates fields, Justin and I had a male Wheatear at Tourgis and on Crabby beach 185 Lesser black backed Gulls, 90 Herring Gulls and a single Yellow legged Gull.
Red Kite over the observatory (record shot)
Grey seal – Longis Bay