May 25th
The singing Nightingale was heard again this morning at the same location on Longis reserve. I had a female Peregrine over the reserve early afternoon and it was good to see a 30 strong group of Starlings consisting of at least a dozen recently fledged individuals. Lastly, a cracking male Black Redstart in the Obs garden this evening at 2030hrs.
Strong winds overnight prevented use of the moth trap, winds persisted until mid afternoon putting a halt on any ringing activity. This did at least allow the opportunity to maintain the net ride vegetation that has grown extensively over the last week. Improved conditions late afternoon allowed me to open one net beside the hide producing 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. Paul and Catherine Veron managed some early evening ringing at Mannez; the new birds were 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler and a Great Tit. At 5pm the local Brownies and Rainbows group visited the Obs to chat about birds and see some ringing. I have to say what an impeccably behaved group of polite young ladies they were ! A credit to the troop leaders well done all concerned. The session also involved one of the ABO’s ringing trainees giving their first public ringing demonstration so a very productive and enjoyable evening all round.
Alderney Brownies at the Obs help me decide the eye colour of a Whitethroat towards determining the age of the bird.