Alderney Bird Observatory - Sightings Blog

Page 2 of 7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

: Alderney Bird Warden; 01 April 2026

The first day of notable spring migration yesterday, with 368 Sand Martin on vismig going north over Alderney. This morning an increase in grounded migrants, with 8 Redwing and 7 Fieldfare early morning. During the morning there were Willow Warbler and Blackcap throughout the recording area, joined by the first Redstart for Alderney this spring.

Redstart © Charlotte Foote

: Alderney Bird Warden; 25 March 2026

It was a windy morning providing an opportunity for seawatching at the north end of the island. A few Gannet were passing during the morning but there were also singles of Great Skua, Arctic Skua and Puffin. A total of 17 Manx Shearwater were flying west on the strong wind, then a pod of 25+ Bottlenose Dolphins were feeding quite close in.

Bottlenosed Dolphin © Charlotte Foote

Gannet © Charlotte Foote

: Alderney Bird Warden; 19 March 2026

A few days of strong and cold easterly wind but there have still been birds migrating through Alderney. Meadow Pipit have been most numerous with nearly 300 in the recording area today, with many of them going out to sea during this mornings seawatch. Amongst them was a Richard's Pipit, calling as it went over and then heading out to sea. During the seawatch eleven Common Scoter were recorded along with Guillemot, Razorbill and a couple of distant Puffins.

Two Little Ringed Plover went over Longis during the census walk and the first Barn Swallow for the year on Alderney was at the roost assemblage on Wednesday night at Longis.

Wheatear © Charlotte Foote / Matt Scragg

Yellow legged Mining Bee © Charlotte Foote / Matt Scragg

Sand Crocus © Charlotte Foote / Matt Scragg

: Alderney Bird Warden; 03 March 2026

It has been a clear sunny start to the early spring migration. During the ringing session, before the census this morning, a Siberian (tristis) Chiffchaff was at Essex.

On Kiln Farm in the afternoon there were several large flocks of Meadow Pipit, refuelling on insects in the long grass on their migration stopover and White Wagtail were seen across the island throughout the day.