Although our nomenclature refers to a “Bird Observatory”, in practice, Bird Observatories have a wider focus. A prime example is that observatories also conduct the structured recording of moths. That is something that the Alderney Bird Observatory does, particularly in the summer months. The setting of the moth trap, in the evenings and recording the moths found the next morning, is part of the daily routine.
In a typical year we find Jersey Tiger and Humming-bird Hawk day-fliers in big numbers. At night our light traps are set (provided that the weather is favourable). We have trapped at least one moth species new to Alderney every year and in some years considerably more than that and, in a typical year, we will record 400 to 500 species of moth. Many of the new moth species that have been discovered are new to both Alderney and/or the Channel Islands and we are working closely with the Alderney Wildlife Trust to pool the data so collected.
Recent “firsts” have been on 1st Nov 2024 the ABO recorded another new species for Alderney, a Maize Moth (first record for Alderney); and there were at least two additions to the Alderney moth list from the moth trap during 2025. The first was a micro moth, Echium Stilt (Dialectica scalariella), which came to light on 9th June and was recorded throughout the summer into early October. This was the first record for the Channel Islands, soon followed by a record in Guernsey and then Jersey. The next new Alderney record was of The Latin (Callopistria juventina) on 5th July, on a night when the warden was in two minds whether to set the trap due to the weather forecast. The Latin is a rare migrant that usually occurs in central and Southeastern Europe.
