Bird Sightings
Lesser Redpoll
- Alderney Bird Warden
A calm morning between the storms today. New for the year were Lesser Redpoll, recorded on Longis and Mannez during morning. Newly arrived Goldcrest and Firecrest can be heard contact calling as they forage in the canopy of the trees.
Lesser Redpoll © Matt Scragg
Willow Warbler
- Alderney Bird Warden
Willow Warbler © Matt ScraggRustic Bunting
- Alderney Bird Warden
Following the stormy weather from the weekend, a change in wind direction and with it the arrival of some birds.
Plenty of Blackcap and Chiffchaff were in the recording area and Meadow Pipît were migrating over. A Grasshopper Warbler was reported from outside the airport, then late morning, flying over Longis pond calling was a Rustic Bunting. This is the third record of Rustic Bunting on Alderney. The first was 17.10.21 the second on 19.03 this spring.
Rustic Bunting © Matt Scragg
Praying Mantis
- Alderney Bird Warden
A change in the weather resulted in a fall of migrant birds overnight. A busy morning at the ringing table with over 200 birds ringed, half of them being Chiffchaff. Notably there were at least six new Cetti’s Warbler in the recording area, three ringed and three additional field observations and a steady stream of hirundines moving over throughout the morning. It wasn’t just all about the birds this morning, a Praying Mantis was found late morning on Longis reserve.
Praying Mantis © Matt Scragg
