From dawn to dusk on Saturday four teams of birders drew their binoculars for the annual Alderney bird race.
The Spice-invaders, In it to Linnet, Alderney Ringers and Tweety Pies recorded a combined total of 84 species, the day record currently stands at 85. The Spice-invaders were victorious, recording 78 species to retain the Alderney Puffin for the 4th year. Many thanks to all the teams for taking part.
A few more firsts for the the year during the last few days.
European Serin was seen on Sunday in St Anne’s,
Garden warbler and White Stork on Tuesday, followed by Purple Sandpiper and Reed Warbler this morning.
Thanks to Ingrid Cebertowivz, Meg Speck and Jake Gregory, visiting ringers from the UK, for all your efforts and stories this week, including top tips from Ingrid on dismounting a bicycle!
Photo: Pied Flycatcher by Charlotte Foote.
Although it has not been possible to get the moth trap out each night, the diversity of moths has increased over the past few days.
Two striking species were seen this week, the larvae of Streamer feed on dog rose and prefers woodland edges and it flies during April and May. Chocolate tip larvae feed on Poplar and sallow, the Alderney population has two flight periods, April and May, then again during August and September.
Pictures by Matt Scragg
The theme for the weather has remained the same, strong Easterlies bringing a chill to the air with a cloudless sky. Although it has felt quiet in the field there has still been a few firsts for the year recorded.
A Cuckoo, seen on Tuesday at the Southern end of Alderney. On Wednesday, Marsh Harrier over Longis, plus Common Sandpiper and Swift at the Northern end of Alderney. This morning Grasshopper Warbler on Longis and Pied Flycatcher along Barrackmaster Lane. Thank you to everyone that submitted sightings this week.
Photo: Common Sandpiper by Charlotte Foote.
The Chough, first seen on March 31st, have stayed on Alderney for a few days and have now settled enough to observe the colour rings they are wearing, which have been reported to the Channel Islands bird ringing scheme.
Many thanks to Charlotte Dean from Durrell on Jersey for getting in contact. The Chough are Skomer and Millport, these are both young females.
Picture, by Charlotte Foote
.