November 30th
Winds dropped considerably overnight, this morning was crisp and sunny with a ground frost in places. There was very little passerine visual migration compared to yesterday, the only bird of note a Swallow over Longis reserve for a couple of hours early afternoon. In Longis Bay a single Brent Goose.
Conditions were perfect for ringing and a long day in the field yielded some great results with 2 species added to the Alderney ringing list now standing at 99, one of these a species never before recorded on Alderney. In total 109 birds were processed from an impressive 20 species between Essex Farm and Longis reserve. Totals: Snipe 1, Blackbird 15, Song Thrush 7, Redwing 9, Wren 20, Dunnock 4, Robin 13, Blackcap 5, Chiffchaff 3, Pallas’s Warbler 1 (new for Alderney), Goldcrest 2, Firecrest 1, Great Tit 17, Blue Tit 1, Starling 1, House Sparrow 1, Chaffinch 2, Linnet 1, Goldfinch 1, and Greenfinch 4
Pallas’s Warbler – Longis nature reserve – photo – Joe England
Common Snipe – Longis Common- Photo – ABO