Channel Islands garden birding competition to take place
Alderney Bird Observatory (ABO) has organised the Bailiwick Big Garden Birdwatch for housebound island residents, which will take place from 24-30 April 2020.
The Bailiwick islands consist of Alderney, Sark, Herm and the larger island of Guernsey, and the ABO team would like you to record as many bird species as possible that visit your garden during this seven-day period if you live on any of these islands.
A checklist will be available at the ABO website to fill in each day. Once completed, a simple 'send' button will enable the team to collate the information provided.
As a thank you from ABO, every Bailiwick Big Garden Birdwatch participant will be entered into a free prize draw two win two nights' accommodation at the Observatory (once things are back to normal), which is overlooks Longis Bay from within its Roman fort walls.
Common Chiffchaff is a familiar migrant that is likely to appear in Bailiwick gardens during the event (Elliot Montieth).
To register to take part, simply email ABO observatory warden John Horton (abo.warden@outlook.com) with your name. The team will send out a reminder email to you just ahead of the event. Further information about how to attract birds to your garden and some tips about how best to go about identifying birds will be available here in the lead up to the 24 April.
Record species that you are confident you can identify correctly; if you can't identify the less common birds in your garden, or if you see something unusual that you would like help to identiy, you can email your photo to the warden on the email address above.
You should only record birds actually visiting your garden. For example, birds on your feeders, or birds feeding low and within the confines of the garden (and not passing flyovers).
For more information, please visit alderneybirdobservatory.org/bailiwickbirdwatch.