Alderney Bird Observatory

Alderney Bird Observatory has been a member of the UK & Ireland Bird Observatory Network since 2016 and is the only Bird Observatory in the British Channel Islands.

Bird Observatories are organisations focused on bird science, education and conservation, usually involving station-based monitoring by bird ringing and a regular census. The summer seabird season at the ABO is a wonderful combination of totally hectic and tantalisingly tranquil spring and autumn migrations – a sight to behold. Visit us at the ABO and see for yourself.

On this website you can find out about the activities of the observatory, including how you can support this work.

Latest sightings

1st May Cirl Bunting on Longis

Fantastic this morning - Matt caught a Cirl Bunting on Longis.

A day of unusual species

A day of infrequently encountered species started with a Nightjar, ringed at first light by the visiting ringers on the training course. We have then seen Red Kite and Black Kite and a total of 4 Spoonbills, a flock of 3 and an additional single, migrating over before heading east to France.

Nightjar © J Stuart Smith

A busy week for the Ringing Course

A busy week with visiting ringers attending a training assessment course. Easterly wind has dominated the weather forecast but there have been plenty of training opportunities with the birds throughout the week.

Sightings from this week include Swift, Whinchat, Subalpine Warbler and Nightingale within the census area and, a now rare sighting of a Turtle Dove, reported by Alex Purdie, near the signalling tower behind the airport this afternoon.