Scaly crickets found in Alderney

RARE scaly crickets were discovered for the first time in Alderney yesterday morning, lending global importance to the whole Bailiwick, according to experts.

A fully-grown female scaly cricket was discovered and recorded for the first time in Alderney by Trevor Bourgaize and John Horton yesterday. Rare in the UK, they are now known to live in all Bailiwick islands. (Image supplied by John Horton)

Of the UK’s grasshoppers and crickets, this scaly variety is among the rarest and least well-studied.

Previously it had been recorded only in four UK locations, but in recent years was found in Guernsey, Herm and Sark.

In 2019, Guernsey bird ringer and naturalist Trevor Bourgaize found the species in Herm before bringing his knowledge to Alderney.

Alongside John Horton, Alderney Bird Observatory warden, they set traps overnight and to their delight found a fully-grown female scaly cricket on Tuesday morning.

Mr Horton said: ‘The discovery of the cricket is not just important in terms of conservation, it is another significant step in attracting the growing number naturalists and eco-tourists specifically visiting our island because of the diversity of rare and unusual species Alderney holds.’

Scaly crickets become the latest species new to Alderney discovered by naturalists.

In turn, naturalists are drawn to Alderney due to the appeal of its nationally-accredited observatory which provides significant scientific research.

Mr Bourgaize has become a regular visitor attracted by the ABO.

Mr Bourgaize said: ‘Alderney is very lucky to have a bird observatory, it would be wonderful to see the other Bailiwick islands develop their own similar facility.’

For years attempts have been made to identify scaly crickets in Alderney.

Living on beaches in shingle and under large stones, it dwells in a very unusual habitat.

Official verification was secured from the Guernsey Biological Records Centre.

The scaly cricket sprung to prominence in Guernsey when it was confirmed to be present on the southern side of Longue Hougue where the States wants to extend the inert waste reclamation into Belle Greve Bay.

An environmental impact assessment of that site concluded the population could be moved to one of the 11 other areas where the species lives on the island.