13th-19th Feb
Alderney continues to deliver some excellent records of migrating birds returning to and passing through our island. This week saw more evidence of the return of our breeding seabirds. Also some unusual visiting migrant birds and recovery information on two Gull species originally ringed in Norway and Germany.
Paul Veron reports a Slavonian Grebe, an uncommon migrant. Also the long staying Water Pipit and Shoveler still present.
The two Gull data reports are also down to Pauls efforts spotting a Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Colour Ring number BJJ520 Metal Ring number 3047979. Information from our continental research counterparts is that the initial ringing of this bird was on 10/07/2016, at Hamnaholmen, Norway. This individual was spotted by Paul Veron at Corblets Bay 12th February this year (217 days later).
Paul also spotted a Mediterranean Gull originally ringed in Germany (details to follow)
Anne-Isabelle Boulon reports the return of up to 50 Gannets at our Les Etacs colony, along with good numbers of auks, the first of thousands to come.