A huge bird not seen in the Channel Islands for 130 years has paid an extended visit to Alderney.
The Great Bustard was hunted to extinction in Britain at the end of the 19th century and is now found mainly in Central Asia.
The last time that the species was spotted in the Channel Islands was in 1879, when two were seen in Jersey - and then promptly shot. Standing up to 3ft 11 inches tall, with a wingspan of up to 9ft, it is the first time the species has ever been recorded in Alderney.
The Alderney visitor was a female and the green tag on its leg marks the bird as being one of a small number of birds successfully reintroduced into Salisbury Plain over the course of the last decade. The bird was first seen around a month ago in the south east of the Island, and initially believed to be a goose. "It was extremely exciting to see this bird here as it's just so rare," said Living Islands manager Martin Batt. "It hasn't been seen in the Channel Islands for more than 100 years, which makes it a very special visitor to Alderney indeed. This proves we do get some rarities here and gives the Living Islands project a welcome boost."
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 