The recording area for our Bird Observatory is the whole of the island of Alderney (including its offshore islands and islets). The bird monitoring undertaken in our first two years identified the most productive island locations and enabled us to determine a designated daily census area – the undertaking of a daily census during the migration periods being a prerequisite of accreditation as a bird observatory. This area covered by this daily census is, effectively, the Eastern third of the Island (East of a line between Fort Albert and the Western side of Longis Bay) and the following maps illustrate its location and the census route. This area was chosen because of its diverse habitats and because it has little relatively human habitation, it has several locations that are sheltered and excellent for migratory birds to make first landfall, seek shelter and obtain food.
The daily census area and routeAs part of our Bird Observatories accreditation the census area is covered daily by an ABO staff member throughout the spring and autumn migration periods, and it is this data that is responsible for most of our records. Records come predominantly from the staff of the ABO, but important contributions are made each year by visiting birdwatchers, wildlife holiday company tour groups, bird ringers, naturalists and local residents. All bird records are assessed and compiled by the warden who is also the official Alderney Island Bird Recorder.
