Bird Sightings
Seawatching morning
- Alderney Bird Warden
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
Strong easterlies but birds still migrating
- Alderney Bird Warden
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
Siberian Chiffchaff in early spring migration
- Alderney Bird Warden
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.
Daily census starts
- Super User
The daily census starts this weekend but there have been a few migrating birds seen already.
There are a few Chiffchaff that winter on Alderney. This individual pictured from this afternoon is supporting a pollen horn, indicating that until recently it was in Southern Europe.
On Wednesday 25th Feb three Sand Martin came to roost on Longis, the previous earliest recorded date was 5th March on Alderney.
There have also been a few waterfowl sightings this week with Brent Goose, Greylag Goose and Shelduck.
Chiffchaff © Matt Scragg
