by John Horton | Aug 25, 2021
At first light flyover migrants included Redshank, Turtle Dove and Yellow Wagtail. The ringing again produced bird of the day with a Nightingale at Longis, Alderney has precious few records of this species historically and it is likely that our ringing research is now providing the first realistic picture of the their numbers passing through Alderney on migration.
4 Tree Pipits, 3 Redstarts, 2 Garden Warblers and a Pied Flycatcher were also ringed this morning.
Photo: this morning’s Nightingale by Asst. Warden Matt Scragg.
by John Horton | Aug 25, 2021
This amazing caterpillar, doing its best ‘ ‘scary snake’ impression is a Small Elephant Hawkmoth found by Matt at Longis this morning.
Also this morning our first autumn influx of Whitethroats and Meadow Pipits were amongst a good variety of migrants.
106 birds ringed this morning included 29 Whitethroats, 5 Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 22 Willow Warblers, 3 Garden Warblers, 4 Tree Pipits, 22 Meadow Pipits and 1 Stonechat.
Also today a Honey Buzzard & 22 Tree Pipits (over).
Photo: the Hawkmoth Caterpillar by Matt Scragg.
by John Horton | Aug 23, 2021
Ahead of the much anticipated East winds there was a fair fall of migrants this morning, Willow warbler again the most prominent. Green Sandpiper, Wheatear and 3 Tree Pipits were spotted.
The ringing session again had the best return and included 2 Garden Warblers along with Pied Flycatcher and Grasshopper Warbler
Pied Flycatcher photo: JH
by John Horton | Aug 22, 2021
Only 2 birds were ringed ahead of the arrival of the rain this morning but one of these was an Icterine Warbler.
Other notable records for us today were 41 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Gull, a Belgium colour ringed Lesser black backed Gull.
Also a Greenshank and Pied Flycatcher.
Photo by Matt Scragg, a record shot of the Icterine.
by John Horton | Aug 21, 2021
Conformation this morning that a moth discovered in the ABO moth-trap yesterday is a “first recorded” for Alderney. Due to decades of ‘moffing’ by local expert entomologist David Wedd, new species are hard to come by here!
This Pine Tree Lappet is an African migrant that is nationally very rare indeed and the first ever recorded in Alderney.
Photo: Matthew Scragg.
by John Horton | Aug 21, 2021
The Blonde Hedgehogs we have in Alderney are nationally very rare but check out this cute little show stopper!,
A genuine and super rare albino Western Hedgehog found by the ABO team today.
Photo Matthew Scragg.
by John Horton | Aug 19, 2021
The next ‘After Dark Safari’ of 2021 will be Saturday 21st August. Venture out with us after dark to experience Alderney’s nocturnal wildlife, and a chance to see the endearing ‘Blonde’ Hedgehogs, also Bats and Barn Owls.
Minibus collection from and return to your hotel included.
With Alderney’s leading hedgehog expert Suzy Weir and Channel Islands premier Wildlife tour guide John Horton.
Our tour involves very little walking, it’s educational and fun! Sounds good? Then our ‘after dark safari’ is for you.
To book Tel: 07815 549191, visit
www.alderneytours.co.uk or contact us via Alderney Tours Facebook page.
£10 per adult, £7 under 16.
Pick-ups: 8.30 pm from the Braye Beach Hotel, 8.35pm from the bottom of Victoria St, other locations by arrangement.
by John Horton | Aug 19, 2021
Work progressing at the new ABO headquarters, phase 1 – new battening, plaster-boarding and flooring
Exciting stuff, the phoenix is rising from the ashes!
by John Horton | Aug 19, 2021
A couple of weeks ago we received a call from a local resident who had a surprise visitor in her office! This beautiful female Barn Owl was of fledging age (or very close to). Matt and I attended the private home and rescued the owl (and the resident) both of whom had been equally surprised but none the worse for the experience!
The young Barn Owl, in tip top condition was ringed and returned to her nearby nest at dusk where she keenly re-joined her siblings.
We are delighted to report that all the young Barn Owls from this nest have now successfully fledged, and having ringed this female we may gain some insight into her future life and travels.
At present there is no research information concerning the movements of fledged Alderney Barn Owls, it is likely that when the youngsters leave their parents’ territory they head across to the nearby French coast or possibly there may be some transference with the other Channel Islands. Photo JH
by John Horton | Aug 17, 2021
A Greenish Warbler ringed this morning was the first seen on mainland Alderney, both previous records were from the Casquetts Lighthouse (7 miles offshore) in 1976 & 1986 respectively. Photo JH.
