Thursday 15 April

Junior Section Bird Walk at the Shingle Bank

The Junior Section of La Société has only recently been re-activated, so it was good to see a turn-out of nine children with adults in tow on this bird walk along the Shingle Bank. It was not so good that it started in the teeth of a very cold north-easterly wind. It did improve as the sun came out, but we had to be very determined. The shore was not exactly bursting with birds, but we did see all three of Guernsey’s resident gulls: Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Greater Black-backed. also present were Oystercatcher and recently-arrived Whimbrel. Another wader, Greenshank was showing further along at La Claire Mare Reserve on the other side of the road. This is mainly wetland with shallow water and reeds with two islands and is a popular place to do a spot of birdwatching.

One brave person in shorts pointing out some of the birdlife, Shingle Bank, Guernsey. Just beyond the house, on the land side, it the largest area of Salt Marsh in the Channel Islands. Called La Rousse Mare (Red Sea), it is named after the flowers of Glasswort, Salicornia europaea, which turn the area dark red in mid- to late-summer. On the left, Trevor Bourgaize, who has extensive knowledge of Guernsey’s birdlife, has just spotted the Whimbrel.
Similar to Curlew, Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus, are just arriving in Guernsey. The key ID feature is the pale strip above the eye, (supercilious), another pale stripe along the top of its head and a bill that is only curved down at the end. This bird was photographed on the Shingle Bank in 2016.
Both hides at La Claire Mare were recently fitted with perspex hatches, so people can enjoy looking out over the reserve in a bit more comfort.
The bottom hide is new and has a bench so children can see out of the hatches. The lower hatch is for the photographers who prize low-level shots.
I took this shot of a Greenshank, Tringa nebualria, back in 2016 at the reserve. Two were present this morning.
Marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus, are often seen here and one showed well this morning. The photo was taken at the Vale Pond in 2016

By the end of the walk, we had listed 31 species seen or heard which is a very respectable total, despite the absence of Little Ringed Plover – present throughout the month up to yesterday, (typical!). So a successful outing with people looking forward to a hot chocolate at Woodies by the end. Thanks to La Société’s Education officers, Becky and Sarah for organising the walk.

Monday 12 April

Today I walked from Les Laurens to La Prevôté on the south coast cliffs. The spring flowers are coming into their own and the Blackthorn is at its best. Flowers were by the way as this was one of many walks I take from April to October to look for the nests of the Black-backed Meadow Ant, Formica pratensis. The flags make the nest sites obvious to the path clearance team who can strim around the nest mound and then leave the ants to get on with their lives. The number of nests has declined in recent years and I’m the volunteer who monitors and records them. The cliff paths on the south coast are a favourite location as they seem to like the slightly warmer and drier conditions. They have their own page coming soon if you’d like to find out more – fascinating creatures.

An established nest, but today is the first time it’s been recorded. They can be surprisingly difficult to spot. East of Les Ecilleurs, Torteval.

I was also very pleased to re-discover a nest on National Trust of Guernsey land on a path that leads down to the cliff. There had been no sign for the past two years so it was good to see lots of activity.

Looking for ant nests means I usually walk along looking down. I do make a point of stopping to admire the scenery and today was special with the Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, looking at its best.

Clifton Valley, St Pierre du Bois
Looking back towards Les Ecilleurs and Mont Hérault WatchHouse in the distance

Bird of the Day

Sunday 11 April

Little Ringed Plover, Charadruus dubius, on the scrape

Rather distant, so not a sharp photo, but I was pleased to catch up with this Little Ringed Plover in the evening sunshine. After bird ringing, I spent most of the day getting up to speed with this website – managed to change the set image for the blog page after two days of trying unsuccessfully and I don’t know if I could do it again! It felt good to be out in the sunshine. I also took some shots of the Shingle Bank and La Claire Mare Reserve for a poster to advertise a Société Junior Section Walk on Thursday. Fingers crossed that the LRP will still be there. I’ll have to bring a stool so the younger children can see over the wall! Good to see a Greenshank, Tringa nebularia, at La Claire Mare even if it was more distant than the LRP.