A very busy and memorable day for Alderney Observatory hosting the largest gathering of licensed bird ringers from across the Channel Islands ever seen in one place with only one ringer unable to attend.
Easterly winds continue and visible migration increased as the day went on. Grounded migrants were again dominated by Song Thrushes and Robins but migrating flocks of Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Wagtails were regular and increased in numbers late morning and early afternoon. There were 16 Teal at Longis pond, 1 Hobby was seen over Longis Common and some 1000+ House Martins streamed through. 3 Ring Ouzel were seen over Mannez and a Willow Warbler was seen near the airport.
Ringing saw 129 new birds ringed: The total included our first Reed Bunting of the Autumn, 1 Water Rail, 1 Firecest, 1 Reed Warbler, 39 Robins, 22 Blackcaps and 17 Chiffchaffs. We also had our first German Control (a Chiffchaff) and our first Goldfinch Control (a UK bird).
Female Reed Bunting – Longis Common – Photo – ABO