Alpha Estates help Alderney Bird Observatory get new technology off the ground!

Alpha Estates have recently spread their wings and opened a branch in Alderney. The, well established, Guernsey Estate Agency has long seen potential in Alderney’s housing market and understands why people would want to move there and why locals are so passionate about staying there, too. Its’ rural charm, natural beauty and relaxed pace of life are coveted by many and Alpha believe that they can facilitate the perfect stepping stone for both vender and purchasers to make their dreams into realities.

As part of their own transition into the Island the idea of contributing to an island charity was at the front of Damian and Chris’s minds, and, in all fairness, they didn’t have to look too far to establish a link and a cause to a project that they wanted to give their full support to; The Alderney Bird Observatory (ABO).

Since its’ initial conception in 2016 until now the ABO has continually been at the cutting edge of the science of ornithology and Alderney has provided the perfect environment and location to deliver discoveries and records of international significance. Founder and warden, John Horton, is an established and nationally respected expert in the field, who Chris claims is one of his ‘real time’ heroes. Having worked at the Observatory for all of April, in 2021, when no volunteers could travel from outside the Bailiwick, due to Covid 19 restrictions, Chris has seen, first hand, the expertise, knowledge and passion that goes in to the daily working of the charity.

The ABO has gone from strength to strength and held up to some pretty vigorous teething problems. It now has a new, state of the art ringing room and has acquired other buildings and equipment that will keep the ABO at the forefront of international migration monitoring programs. When Chris approached John about how Alpha Estates could invest specifically in their work, the response was immediate.

The ABO has signed up to a scheme that involves tagging birds with, state of the art, transmitters the signals from which would be picked up by receivers whenever that bird was in its’ proximity. These receivers are being set up globally and will revolutionise the study of mass migration. The ABO already had a receiver but did not have any transmitters, yet, to fit to migrating birds that were caught in their nets, to be ringed.

The obvious investment for Alpha Estates was to provide the first 5o digital transmitters, at a cost of £50 each.

‘It’s so exciting to, literally, be providing the first transmitters for the ABO and help keep them at the cutting edge of new technology. The potential discoveries and insights into bird migration that will come of it are truly ground breaking.’

Alpha Estates are equally excited about the property market, in Alderney, and they are greatly looking forward to establishing strong connections with the community and individuals, alike.

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Welcome, Chris and Derwent!

If Alpha Estates were a Premier League football club we’d be spoken of, by pundits, as a team that is “rebuilding”. “Putting all the pieces together to become title contenders” or maybe “adding new pieces to fit around the culture of the club’. Safe to say that’s where the analogy ends but it is true. We are very much in rebuild mode. So here are some of our recent developments…

A good place to start is to inform you that our much anticipated (and much needed) new website is on it’s way. It’s looking good and feeling good. A mercurial site that will make visiting Alpha Estates online a pleasant and effortless experience, whether you’re looking for a new home or trying to find someone you can trust to sell the one you have. So watch this space for a countdown to it’s launch.

It’s, also, now a genuine pleasure to welcome Chris, to Alpha, on a full time basis. He’s taken to his new role like a duck to water and has already overseen and safely negotiated his way through his first couple of sales! He has brought with him a sense of urgency, fun and enthusiasm that is more than welcome around the office and I know he’s going to be a great asset and credit to this business and this industry, as a whole.

Finally, as if that wasn’t enough of a complete sensory overload, allow me to introduce you to Derwent Smithurst. Derwent is at the helm of Alpha Estates Alderney. A shiny, new franchise and one that delights us greatly! Alderney is a gleaming jewel in our Bailiwick crown and has a lively property market. Derwent is a former Aurigny pilot and all round top bloke. It has been a lot of fun getting to know him, as he has spent many, many weeks (over the last few months) in Guernsey, learning and honing new skills. Derwent is our main man on the ground, and our first port of call, in Alderney. So join us in welcoming him to the Alpha family and wish him all the best as he sets out on a totally new and very cool venture…

I guess that’s enough, for now! With the property market in it’s strange and current state it seems like a good time to be laying the foundations and platform to rebuild and reshape our successful enterprise. It goes without saying that if you have any questions about property, or otherwise, then feel free to seek out our help, expertise and advice, without obligation. I am confident we have the team that can help you on your way.

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