October 9th

by John Horton | Oct 9, 2016

An Ortolan Bunting was spotted by Steve Sutcliffe and Chris Mourant late this afternoon on Longis Common. An unringed Yellow-browed Warbler was found on Longis Reserve by Ian Buxton a couple of hours after our 7th Yellow-browed of the week was ringed in Mannez Quarry. The Rose-coloured Starling was amongst the Starling roost on Longis Pond this evening and there were 6 Teal on Longis pond. There were 3 Grey Plovers and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits on Longis Beach. Other less common for Alderney species recorded today were 1 Mistle Thrush,  1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Skylarks.

Ringing today saw all the visiting Channel Islands ringers engage the 3 main ringing sites currently used by the Obs. In the early hours, lamping expert Dave Buxton caught a Dunlin on Longis Beach, which was the 2nd ever ringed on Alderney, the 1st one ringed over 50 years ago in 1962. A busy and exciting day resulted in a total of 155 new birds ringed. These included our first Dutch control (a Goldfinch). A late Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Firecrest ringed at Essex farm. 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler were ringed at Mannez. The day total of 20 species also included 39 Robins, 30 Blackcaps and 28 Chiffchaffs, 11 Song Thrushes and 2 Redwings.

The assembled Channel Islands bird ringers at Alderney Bird Observatory. Including those who founded the scheme in the 1950’s to the lastest trainees !

October 8th

by John Horton | Oct 9, 2016

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