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First light was accompanied by moderate SE winds and at the morning high tide in Longis Bay there were 2 Bar tailed Godwit and 8 Whimbrel on a small patch of beach just beyond the old jetty. Great views from the ramparts of South facing Roman wall of the OBS.
At 1330hrs Paul Veron had a Common Crane over Mannez, the bird slowly circled to a great height and then headed out to sea towards mainland France.
Common Crane – over Mannez – photo Paul Veron
Other birds seen on Alderney today included over 100 Swift over Mannez during the morning, a Common Redstart in Barrack masters lane, 2 Marsh Harriers were reported from Giffoine, a stunning male Black Redstart by the football pitch, 2 Common Sandpiper and a summer plumage Dunlin in Bray Bay, 2 Whinchat on the Golf course, and 11 Yellow Wagtail and 8 Wheatear this evening on Longis Common. A passing Greenshank was heard by myslef and Paul Veron but we could’nt pin it down
Male Marsh Harrier – Giffoine – Photo Martin Batt
Ringing: 66 new birds were ringed today involving all 3 sites at one time or another ! Todays totals included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 6 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 34 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, and 1 Swallow. See ringing pages for full list.
Willow Warbler – Essex Farm. The most common species ringed this Spring.
1st yr male Yellow Wagtail – Longis reserve