Go Slow…..In Alderney

Go Slow…..in Alderney

Naturetrek Tour Report 11 - 18 September 2019

Brown Argus by John Horton Sandwich Terns by Sandy Robertson

Western Hedgehog by John Horton Spanish Carpet by John Horton

Report by John Horton Images courtesy of Sandy Robertson & John Horton

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Go Slow…..in Alderney

Tour participants: John Horton & Annabel Finding (leaders) with 10 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Wednesday 11th September

Unfortunately, unseasonably bad weather meant that today’s flight was cancelled, and the group spent the night in Southampton.

Day 2 Thursday 12th September

With the flight reorganised, and arriving around 5.30pm, the group members were warmly greeted and taken by minibus down to the Braye Beach Hotel to be checked in. We then all gathered downstairs in the hotel cinema for our meet-and-greet session. Having familiarised ourselves with the schedule ahead, we were right on time for our restaurant booking at Cantina Number 6, a short walk from the hotel. All fed and watered, it was back to the hotel and a good night’s sleep, ahead of a full day naturetreking.

Day 3 Friday 13th September

Gathering on the hotel balcony after breakfast we spotted three White Wagtails, one Wheatear and busy flock of 11 Sanderlings on Braye beach below us. Several Large-flowered Evening Primroses stood out amongst the grass, just the hotel side of the sand dunes. With the morning weather mist and drizzle but a sunny afternoon outlook, we reversed our schedule, setting off to do the history part of the day; our morning wildlife walk would now take place in the better weather forecast for the afternoon. First, we went to the Alderney Town Hall, to take advantage of a temporary exhibition laid on for one week only by the Henry Ruler Trust, the exhibits and information on display celebrating Alderney’s maritime history. Moving on, the group visited the Bayeux Tapestry, the last three metres of which (created by the people of Alderney in 2012-3, as the original is incomplete) are proudly displayed in the Alderney library. Keeping out of the showers, we next visited the Alderney museum which houses a surprisingly rich and diverse tangible history of Alderney for the Iron Age through the Roman, Tudor, Victorian periods to the Nazi German occupation of the island.

We then moved to Braye Bay where a gull roost held 13 Mediterranean Gulls, amongst Black-headed Gulls; it was an opportunity to look at the differences between these similar Gull species. Also here were three Sandwich Terns. At our feet was some Thrift and along the shore edge, Sea Sandwort and Sea Samphire. Here we also saw a Common Buzzard, Cormorant, Shag, Grey Heron and Little Egret.

Lunch was taken at the popular Old Barn restaurant and gardens, and as we embarked on our afternoon trail, a Hobby swooped above us and for the next 20 minutes gave us a fine display of acrobatics overhead, catching a dragonfly which it consumed in flight. A Sparrowhawk also passed over. Heading down towards Braye Bay, a huge area of Buddleia bushes supported some 30 Painted Lady butterflies along with half-a-dozen Red Admirals; Colin also spotted a Common Carpet moth. In Longis Bay we found two Curlews, 20+ Ringed Plovers and a mixed flock of Dunlin and Sanderling. At Longis Pond we added Amphibious Bistort, Cut-leaved Willowherb and Flag Iris. Along the way, three Common Blue Butterflies and other wildflowers were recorded, including Wall Rocket, Rest-harrow, Fennel and Sea Radish.

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

Walking past Whitegates fields, we encountered at least 100 Linnets, 50+ Meadow Pipits, three Stonechats and a Whinchat, plus a steady stream of migrating Swallows and three House Martins. Christine found a superb male Brown Argus butterfly.

Day 4 Saturday 14th September

From the hotel we set out heading to the north-east on our morning walk, along the picturesque coastline adjacent to the French coast just eight miles away. Our timing was perfect, the high tide having driven a large number of waders to within easy viewing distance. More than 50 Ringed Plovers and a handful of Dunlin and Sanderlings were on the shore together with, amongst the rocks, a single Turnstone and 12 Curlews; we spent some time looking at the waders through the telescope. Moving on, we had travelled only a short distance before a Grey Seal was spotted just offshore. On the shoreline we found at least a dozen very confiding Wheatears, all busily feeding in preparation for the next leg of their migration. Along this stretch there are often several Small Copper Butterflies and today we were not to be disappointed. Six vocal Ravens passed low overhead as we arrived at the little-known locality for the rare Alderney Sea Lavender and close-by Rock Sea Lavender. The sound of Sandwich Terns was suddenly upon us and to our amazement we all witnessed a fly past of some 75 of these majestic birds, passing by the island on migration. After spotting a second Grey Seal, we completed our trail with nice views of a Common Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Lunch was taken at the popular Jacks restaurant in St. Anne before we headed back to the NE of Alderney. Setting off from Mannez nature reserve along to Corblets Bay, several of the Sandwich Terns had settled on the beach. A local birder was present photographing the Terns kindly subsequently provided us a photo. At nearby Arch Bay, beside the ancient Norman archway that connects the (now) campsite to the beach, we added Sea Holly, Sea Rocket and Sea Spurge to our wildflower lists.

Day 5 Sunday 15th September

It was another bright sunny and warm start, as we took the minibus up to the Victorian Fort Albert. This location delivers commanding views across Alderney from which Annabel ably divulged nuggets of local history information, pointing out landmarks and places of interest. We then headed onwards to The Nunnery where we were met by local lepidopterist moth expert David Wedd. A good variety of moth species were awaiting us in the Bird Observatory moth trap, including the much-admired Convolvulus Hawk-moth.

Lunch was at the Old Barn. The afternoon walk has become one of our most popular, for its scenery and wildlife found along the South Cliffs. This gentle winding trail along the cliff tops is often compared to the north Devon coast. To start us off, we saw a pair of Peregrine Falcons. In the sunny warm conditions, butterflies were plentiful, and we managed some 11 different species over the next hour and a half, as we casually made our way along the footpath. At one particular location we paused in the hope of seeing the elusive Dartford Warbler; we were soon rewarded as a fine male made his way through the Gorse tops, pausing just long enough for everyone to get a look at him. Above, literally hundreds of Swallows and Martins filled the skies and Colin picked out a late-moving Swift amongst them. Stonechats and Whitethroat also showed well, and there were double figures of Wall Brown, 50+ Small Coppers and countless Field Grasshoppers.

2 © Naturetrek October 19

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

Day 6 Monday 16th September

We had an early start today, to experience the ever-popular bird-ringing demonstration at Alderney Bird Observatory (ABO). The ABO were ready to show us birds as soon as we arrived and the thrilled group were treated to a private ringing demonstration that began with a Sand Martin, Swallow, Reed Warbler and then a Blackcap. Over the next 90 minutes we heard all about the research work of the ABO and saw over 30 birds ringed and released. David returned for a second round of moth trapping and, once again, a good variety of moths of varying colours and sizes were enjoyed by all. For the moth enthusiasts, a special treat was a Spanish Carpet moth; occasionally recorded in Alderney, the species is not found in mainland UK.

It was back to the hotel for breakfast at 9am, before heading out on our planned morning walk in the south-west of the island, from Platte Saline beach to Landmark Trust-run Fort Clonque. At Platte Saline beach there were still several flowering Yellow Horned Poppies and plenty of Sea Kale. This walk then gives up views to our right across Clonque Bay out to some of Alderney’s islets: Burhou and Casquets, with bracken-covered slopes climbing high above us to the left. A fall of Chiffchaffs was apparent on the north-facing slopes and a Kestrel toyed with the attentions of three Crows. This walk was planned to coincide with high tide, and at a great viewing point, we were able to look down on over 100 Oystercatchers and a magnificent flock of 39 Curlews, amongst which was a single Whimbrel. At the Fort Clonque causeway a rock pool on the falling tide had a good size Dogfish and a cluster of Goose barnacles attached to an old boat buoy. Colin and Christine found another Brown Argus just before we took the return walk back to our minibus. Four Grey Herons and four Little Egrets were now present feeding in the emerging rock pools.

The afternoon saw our much-talked-about boat trip. Millpond calm seas and low winds were quite perfect conditions. After travelling alongside Burhou island, we arrived under the impressive Les Etacs rocks. Here several thousand Gannets still remained at their nest sites. Most of the chicks had now fledged but many were still present, their black/grey plumage showing them up against the white adults and pale rocks. We manage to pick out a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on the lower rock shelves. A Mediterranean Gull briefly followed the wake of our vessel as we pleasure-boated a complete circuit of Alderney, with historical commentary from Annabel and our boat skipper Dave Venn.

Day 7 Tuesday 17th September

With a long day in the field ahead, the preferred group option after breakfast was to watch locally produced War years videos. Powerful in parts, these told through interviews, the personal experiences of resident islanders present during the war years. This was followed by a lift up to town for some shopping before we met to visit Alderney allotments. It was another sunny day and we were soon again amongst numerous butterflies, predominantly Peacocks, Red Admirals and Speckled Woods, and also Holly Blue and several Large Whites.

Lunch was at the Georgian House. Our afternoon itinerary began with a poignant visit to the remnants of the Nazi German SS camp Lagar Sylt. The headland at Telegraph Bay boasted two Skylarks, a Whinchat and eight Wheatears, and we also added Chicory and Prostrate Broom to our lists.

After the last evening meal taken at our hotel, the last event of the day was to head out to try to find a blonde Hedgehog, with the assistance of local expert Suzy Weir. Within a few minutes we found our first ‘blonde

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

bombshell’ and this was to be an evening where we came across several of the cute leucisitic hedgehogs and a couple of the regular brown ones. Bats were also on the move; with our bat detector and strong torches we located and saw Pipistrelle and Natterer’s Bat before heading back to the hotel.

Day 8 Wednesday 18th September

This was our last day, and Colin got us off to a great start by finding an awesome Wasp Spider on the exterior wall of our hotel.

We returned to The Nunnery for a tour of the inside of the bird observatory and a historical tour of the Roman fort within which it is housed. From here, ahead of lunch, we visited the Community Woodland Project, involving the planting of 10,000+ native trees through a central belt of the island.

After lunch of it was time to return to the airport and say our goodbyes, wrapping up a great week of fabulous wildlife in glorious weather.

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4 © Naturetrek October 19

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) September Common name Scientific name 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1 2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 2 18 3 Common Swift Apus apus 1 4 Rock/Feral Dove Columba livia 1 1 5 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 10 2 8 6 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2 7 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 8 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 1 9 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 20 50 90 10 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 20 40 1 11 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 12 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2 12 39 13 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1 14 Sanderling Calidris alba 20 12 6 15 Dunlin Calidris alpina 5 4 16 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 30 20 50 17 Common Gull Larus canus 1 18 Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus 13 2 1 19 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2 10 25 20 European Herring Gull Larus argentatus 30 40 ✓ 60 21 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 1 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 5 2 6 23 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 3 72 20 6 24 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus ✓ ✓ ✓ 2000 ✓ ✓ 25 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 2 2 20 50 26 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1 3 3 10 27 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 4 28 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 2 3 4 29 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1 1 1 30 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 2 1 1 31 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 1 2 32 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 33 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 2 1 1 34 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula 35 Carrion Crow Corvus corone 20 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 36 Northern Raven Emberiza schoeniclus 6 3 2 37 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 2 38 Great Tit Parus major 5 2 1 39 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2 40 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 20 1 6 41 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 50 50 500 20 100 42 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 3 2 50 2 43 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1 20 1 44 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1 45 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 15 46 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 3 2 47 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata 1

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

September Common name Scientific name 13 14 15 16 17 18 48 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 2 2 1 49 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 10 50 Common Blackbird Turdus merula 1 51 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 2 52 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 2 1 3 2 53 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 2 54 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 1 3 1 55 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 5 3 10 3 2 56 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1 40 1 8 57 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 20 58 Dunnock Prunella modularis 1 2 5 59 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3 2 1 7 60 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 100 50 30 61 Eurasian Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 1 4 2 62 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 1 1 63 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 3 64 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 150 20 2 60 65 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 3 2

Mammals 1 Atlantic Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 2 2 Western Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 6 3 Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 10 4 Natterer's Bat Myotis nattereri 2 5 European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 5

Butterflies 1 Large White Pieris brassicae 2 10 5 1 10 2 Small White Pieris rapae 10 4 2 5 3 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas 6 50 4 Holly Blue Celastrinas argiolus 1 2 5 Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes 1 1 1 6 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus 3 20 10 5 10 7 Peacock Inachis io 2 5 8 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 10 10 10 1 2 9 Painted Lady Cynthia cardui 50 10 2 1 10 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria 3 5 11 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 5 10 20 12 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera 10

Moths 1 Rusty Dot pearl Udea ferrugalis 2 1 2 Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli 1 1 3 Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum 1 4 Portland Ribbon Wave Idaea degeneraria 3 5 Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata 2 1 6 Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata 1 1 7 Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata 2 8 Pretty Chalk Carpet Melanthia procellata 1 9 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

September Common name Scientific name 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 Spanish Carpet Scotopteryx peribolata 1 11 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata 1 12 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 2 13 Buff Ermine Spilarctia luteum 2 14 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa 1 15 Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra 1 16 Delicate Mythimna vitellina 3 17 Old Lady Mormo maura 1 18 Beautiful Gothic Leucochlaena oditis 3 1 19 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens 2 20 L-album Wainscot Mythimna l-album 1 1 21 Heart & Club Agrotis clavis 1 22 Crescent Dart Agrotis trux lunigera 3 4 23 Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi 1 24 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa 9 4 25 Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea 2 1 26 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba 4 5 27 Lesser Broad-bordered Y.U. Noctua janthina 1 28 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum 1 4

Other Insects 1 Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus 10 10 20 100 2 Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespillo 3 Hornet Vespa crabro 4 White-tailed Bee Bombus lucorum 2 20 5 Red-tailed Bee Bombus lapidarius 1

Dragonflies 1 Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta 1 2 Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator 1

Other 1 White lipped Snail Cepaea hortensis 2 2 Goose Barnacle Pedunculata 100 3 Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi 1 4 Small-spotted Dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula 1

Plants Scientific Name Common Name Location

PLANTS PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS Dennstaeditiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken South Cliffs. Clonque DICOTS DICOTYLEDONS Aizoaceae Dewplant Family Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot-fig Corbletts Bay, South Cliffs Amaranthaceae Amaranth Family Atriplex hastata Frosted Orache Braye Bay Apiaceae Carrot Family

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Crambe maritima Sea-kale Platte Saline Crithmum maritimum Rock Samphire Braye Bay Daucus carota Wild Carrot Longis Bay Eryngium maritimum Sea-holly Arch Bay Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Longis Bay Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Common Ivy Longis Bay Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Longis Bay Cichorium intybus Chicory Telegraph Bay Helminthotheca echioides Bristly Oxtongue Mannez Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy Longis Bay Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Longis Bay Taraxacum agg. Dandelion group Arch Bay Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed Clonque Bay Tripolium pannonicum Sea Aster Houme Herbe Boraginaceae Borage Family Symphytum officinale Comfrey St.Annes Allotments Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Cakile maritima Sea Rocket Arch Bay Lobularia maritima Sweet Alison Longis Bay Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimum Sea Radish Longis Bay Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Jasione montana Sheep’s-bit Houme Herbe Caprifoliacae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Longis Bay Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Honckenya peploides Sea Sandwort Braye Bay Silene dioica Red Campion Longis Bay Silene latifolia White Campion Longis Bay Silene uniflora (vulgare ssp maritima) Sea Campion Houme Herbe Chenopodiaceae Fat-hen Family Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima Sea Beet Braye Bay Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Braye Bay Calystegia soldanella Sea Bindweed Braye Bay Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort South Cliffs Ericaceae Heather Family Erica cinerea Bell Heather Houme Herbe Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia paralias Sea Spurge Arch Bay Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Platte Saline Euphorbia portlandica Portland Spurge Clonque Bay Fabaceae Pea Family Cytisus scoparius subsp.maritimus Prostrate Broom Telegraph Bay Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil Braye Bay Ononis repens Rest Harrow Longis Bay Trifolium pratense Red Clover Longis Bay Trifolium repens White Clover Telegraph Bay Ulex europaeus Gorse Houme Herbe Vicia sepium Bush Vetch Braye Bay

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Geranium robertianum Herb Robert St.Annes Allotments Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort St.Annes Allotments Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme Fort Albert, Houme Herbe Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Longis Bay Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash St.Annes Allotments Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Longis Bay Onagraceae Willowherb Family Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Longis Bay Oenothera glazioviana Large-flowered Evening Primrose Braye Bay Orobnachaceae Broomrape Family Orobnache rapum-genistae Greater Broomrape Telegraph Bay Oxalidaceae Wood-sorrel Family Oxalis articulata Pink-sorrel Houme Herbe Papaveraceae Poppy Family Glaucium flavum Yellow Horned-poppy Platte Saline Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago lanecolata Ribwort Plantain Braye Bay Plumbaginaceae Sea-lavender Family Armeria maritima Thrift Braye Bay Limonium binervosum Rock Sea-lavender Houme Herbe Limonium normannicum Alderney Sea-lavender Houme Herbe Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Longis Bay Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Longis Bay Rosaceae Rose Family Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Longis Bay Prunus spinosa Blackthorn South Cliffs Rubus fruticosus Bramble Mannez Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Fort Albert, Houme Herbe Salicaceae Willow Family Populus alba White Poplar Longis Bay Solanaceae Potato Family Lycium barbarum Duke of Argyll's Teaplant Longis Bay Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Houme Herbe Schrophulariaceae Figwort Family Verbascum thapsus Aaron's Rod / Mullein Longis Bay Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall Houme Herbe Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle Longis Bay Valerianaceae Valerian Family Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Longis Bay Valerianella locusta Common Cornsalad Veronicaceae Speedwell Family Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Longis Bay

Go Slow…..in Alderney Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

MONOCOTS MONOCOTYLEDONS Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Prospero autumnale Autumn Squill Houme Herbe Iridaceae Iris Family Iris foetidissima Stinking Iris Houme Herbe Iris pseudacorus Flag Iris Longis Bay Orchidaceae Orchid Family Spiranthes spiralis Autumn Lady's-tresses Houme Herbe Poaceae Grass Family Phragmites australis Common Reed Longis Bay

Convolvulus Hawk-moth by John Horton Wasp Spider by John Horton Les Etacs by John Horton