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Birding on Alderney

Alderney is special; its proximity to France and the wide variety of habitats that occur within the confines of such a small island make it a great spot for birds, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. There are cliffs and offshore stacks, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, marine heathland, open fields and farmland, wooded valleys, gardens and small stretches of inland water all packed into Alderney's 3 square miles.  Thousands of seabirds also make it the most spectacular of the Channel Islands for wildlife and a major attraction for visitors. More than 275 species of sea and land bird have been recorded. Of these, 68 species bred between 2000 and 2005, including 34 that are of conservation concern in the UK.

In the open countryside, the Giffoine heathlands and calcareous grasslands at Longis Common are among the largest in the Channel Islands, and adjacent to cliff and slope habitats. Freshwater and woodland is limited; the best are Mannez Quarry Pond and the regenerating woodland around St Anne.

Seabirds - RAMSAR site
Alderney's seabird colonies and rich marine wildlife, from the Giffoine to many of the westward islands, are internationally important and designated as a Ramsar site. The Alderney Government protects Burhou Island as a nature reserve, and Longis Common (Longis Nature Reserve) and Val du Saou Nature Reserve are reserves managed by the Alderney Wildlife Trust.

Migrants
Alderney's location, just eight miles from France, means it attracts many migrant birds in spring and autumn.

For a full bird lidt from Alderney, click Alderney bird list. 

Our thanks To Sam Rowley for his image of the gannets 

gannets The iconic species of Alderney - nearly 6,000 pairs breed on the seabird cities of Ortac and Les Etacs. You can see, hear and smell the Les Etacs colony from the end of the Giffoine! These are the Channel Islands' only colonies. Shag and cormorant Alderney supports 16% of the Channel Islands' shags, which outnumber cormorants by 10 to one on the island.

gulls  Alderney is internationally important for lesser black-backed gulls, which nest in large colonies on Burhou, with smaller numbers on the cliffs on the south and west coast. Great black-backed and herring gulls also occur across the island. A bird guide is useful to identify the confusing young birds.

rock pipit Surprisingly scarce, rock pipits are best looked for around the harbour or along the cliffs of the Giffoine. They can be confused with the commoner meadow pipit, but rock pipits are larger and greyer.

terns Alderney's common tern population has declined to only about 15 pairs. Birds can best be seen in any of the island's bays. Please avoid disturbing them at their breeding sites as this will lead to increases in predation. Sandwich terns are regular visitors.

fulmars Nesting on Alderney's steep cliffs, fulmars are highly adapted to marine life. They can drink seawater, extract freshwater and weep the super-saline residue through a specially-adapted tube on their bills. Dark smudges around the eyes act like sunglasses, reducing the glare reflected from the sea. Stiff wings aid effortless flight.

Puffin, guillemot and razorbill Alderney supports more than 10% of the Channel Islands' auks. Puffins are best seen from a boat trip to Burhou. The razorbill's black upperparts and wedge shaped bill distinguish it from the browner guillemot with its dagger-like bill. Both breed on offshore islands.

Oystercatcher and ringed plover The oystercatcher's piercing call is heard around much of Alderney. Some breed but large non-breeding flocks also occur (Longis and Clonque Bay). Take heed of calling waders - give them space as concerned parents may be warning you away from nests or young.

Visiting water birds Curlews, dunlins, redshanks, whimbrels, sanderlings, turnstones and black-headed gulls are common visitors to be seen at Longis, Braye and Tourgis Bays. Snipe and woodcocks are winter visitors to woodland or freshwater sites.

birds of prey Kestrels, peregrines, sparrowhawks and buzzards occur throughout the island. The Giffoine is best for spotting kestrels and peregrines, and the eastern end of the island is good for seeing buzzards.

Blackbird and songthrush Blackbirds outnumber song thrushes by three to one on Alderney. Both find their stronghold in the wooded gardens and valleys of St Anne.

wren and dunnock The tiny wren is the commonest land bird on Alderney and found in most habitats, including offshore islands. The dunnock favours gardens or tangles of bramble and bracken banks.

Skylark and meadow pipit Skylarks sing above extensively managed grasslands, mainly around the airport. The meadow pipit is more common and widespread - it prefers ranker vegetation and, in spring, parachutes singing out of the sky.

Dartford warbler and stonechat Dartford warblers can be easily overlooked but Alderney has an important population and almost one third of the total Channel Islands' population. They are sometimes accompanied by the more showy stonechats, which act as sentinels. Listen for the stonechat's distinctive call, like two stones being knocked together.

Linnet and greenfinch Look for linnets on the coast and farmland - females are greyer than the crimson-fronted males. The wheezing song of the greenfinch is often heard in gardens.

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