Jersey Birds

31.10.2026 A beautiful Snow Bunting on St Catherine's Breakwater yesterday, image courtesy of Romano. The fine anti-cyclonic conditions continue, still mild but with a fresh east-northeast wind today. There were plenty more birds on the move overnight and through the day, although less than yesterdai. Seen from Noirmont were a flock of 7 Great White Egrets , 5,720 Woodpigeons, 665 Stock Doves, a single Collared Dove, 15 Fieldfares , 18 Song Thrushes , 3 Mistle Thrushes, 13 Redwings , 12 Blackbirds , a Brambling , 8 Skylarks , 12 Pied Wagtails , 102 Linnets , 231 Chaffinches , 17 Goldfinches , 7 Greenfinches , 80 Meadow Pipits , 3 Stonechats , 2 Firecrests and at least 5 Robins . Also seen were 3 Peregrines , 2 Sparrowhawks , 2 Grey Herons and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Visible migrants at Victoria Tower this morning included a Tree Sparrow , 6,247 Woodpigeons , 417 Stock Doves , 319 Redwings , 18 Song Thrushes , 38 Blackbirds , 2 Skylarks , a Lapwing , 281 Chaffinches , 2 Bramblings , 67 Goldfinches , 9 Linnets , 14 Meadow Pipits , 3 Pied Wagtails , 5 Cattle Egrets and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . 4 Wheatears were by Kempt Tower in St Ouen's Bay, while at St Ouen's Pond were 80 Teal , 4 Grey Herons and a Lapwing . 20 Linnets and a Stonechat were at the Scrape. At L'Etacq and Milano Bars were 17 Meadow Pipits , 5 Pied Wagtails , 2 Stonechats , 34 Stock Doves , 27 Linnets , 11 Redwings , 24 Shags and 139 Oystercatchers . In Petit Port Bay this morning were 26 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Gull , 7 Great Black-backed Gulls , 12 Little Egrets , 4 Grey Herons , 22 Turnstones and 26 Curlews . In fields behind the Seymour Inn were 26 Little Egrets , 25 Grey Herons, a Cattle Egret, and 11 Black-headed Gulls . Rue du Pont Lane were 30 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes , 11 Fieldfares and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. This afternoon, in Grouville Bay were at least 600 Brent Geese , 11 Bar-tailed Godwits , 3 Curlews , 17 Dunlin , 9 Turnstones , 16 Grey Plovers , 175 Sanderlings , 7 Black-headed Gulls and 33 Oystercatchers . All were put up by an un-controlled dog. A Snow Bunting was on St Catherine's Breakwater again and there was a report of another 2 Snow Buntings at Jardin d'Olivet. Also at St Catherine's were 14 Brent Geese and 2 Choughs . 11 Brent were at Flicquet and at Sorel were 14 Meadow Pipits , a Song Thrush , a Dartford Warbler and a Snipe . In a garden in Vallee des Vaux, an overnight arrival of birds included at least 10 Goldcrests , along with 4 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 2 Bullfinches , 6 Redwings , a Blackbird , 2 Song Thrushes, a Fieldfare and 2 Blackcaps . Evening update: In Grouville Marsh this evening were 12 Reed Buntings , 5 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps , 15 Song Thrushes , 15 Redwings , 3 Water Rails , 70 Jackdaws and 1700+ Starlings heading to a roost near Fauvic. 3 Clouded Yellows were also there and 8 Cattle Egrets were at Hougue Bie.

30.10.2026 Stock Doves heading off over Noirmont today MD A fine and clear day in a light east-southeast wind, still mild at 16c Migration dominated the scene again today, in near ideal conditions. Seen at or over Victoria Tower first thing were a Richard's Pipit , 2 Woodlarks , 94 Skylarks , 5,414 Starlings , 1,278 Redwings , a Mistle Thrush , 3 Fieldfares , 58 Blackbirds , 36 Song Thrushes , 408 Chaffinches , 21 Goldfinches , 4 Greenfinches , 2 Siskins , a Bullfinch , 8 Meadow Pipits , 7 Pied Wagtails , 4 Grey Wagtails , 294 Woodpigeons , 81 Stock Doves , 5 Grey Herons , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Cormorant . A Snow Bunting was at St Catherine's Breakwater again. At or passing Noirmont were 11,780 Woodpigeons , 823 Stock Doves - a new day record for the site, 3 Swallows , 5 Woodlarks , 35 Skylarks , a Wheatear , 5 Reed Buntings , 438 Starlings , 8 Pied Wagtails , 68 Meadow Pipits , 7 Robins , 4 Stonechats , 2 Mistle Thrushes , 23 Song Thrushes , 19 Blackbirds , a Redwing , a Golden Plover , 312 Chaffinches , 2 Siskins , 43 Linnets , 40 Goldfinches , 17 Greenfinches , a Firecrest , 3 Peregrines , 2 Sparrowhawks , 2 Grey Herons , 7 Buzzards , 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Cormorants , 4 Ravens , 2 Choughs , 2 Jackdaws , a Clouded Yellow butterfly and a Red Admiral . In Grouville Marsh, where there had been an arrival of migrants this morning, 30 Robins , 25 Wrens , 25 Blue Tits , 20 Chiffchaffs , 15 Blackcaps , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 12 Blackbirds , 30 Song Thrushes , 35 Redwings , 2 Firecrests , 3 Reed Buntings , 7 Siskins , 3 Bullfinches , 8 Stonechats , 12 Water Rails , 2 Teal , a Woodcock , 3 Sparrowhawks , a Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier and 4 Buzzards . Birds flying over included 430 Woodpigeons , 30 Stock Doves , 26 Skylarks , 20 Chaffinches and 35 Meadow Pipits . In St Ouen's Bay were 11 Common Gulls , 80 Mediterranean Gulls , 87 Black-headed Gulls and a Peregrine , and at the Milano Bars site was a Snow Bunting again, also 10 alba Wagtails and 2 Buzzards . In Beaumont Marsh were 500 Starlings and 3 Cattle Egrets . On the north side of St Ouen's Pond at Dusk today were c300 Starlings , 60 Reed Buntings , 3 Chiffchaffs , 12 Cetti's Warblers , a Redwing , 2 Stonechats , 22 Teal and 6 Water Rails . At Sorel yesterday , were 8 Song Thrushes , a pair of Stonechats and a Buzzards .

29.10.2026 . A Fieldfare over Noirmont this morning MD A fair to fine day with light easterly breezes - ideal for visible migration and so it proved. Starting at Noirmont, morning long from first light. Flying over were a Richard's Pipit which dropped into the large field briefly, 5 Swallows , a Cirl Bunting , 3 Woodlarks , 60 Skylarks , 10,178 Woodpigeons , 247 Stock Doves , 72 Fieldfares , 176 Redwings , 61 Song Thrushes , 23 Blackbirds , 1,375 Starlings , 2 Water Pipits , 93 Meadow Pipits , 18 alba Wagtails , 2,373 Chaffinches , 32 Goldfinches , 68 Linnets , 37 Greenfinches , a Siskin , a Brambling , 20 Long-tailed Tits , 5 Stonechats , a Blackcap , 2 Chiffchaffs , 8 Robins , a Common Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and 17 Black-headed Gulls . Also seen were a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 8 Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier and a Dartford Warbler . Counts from Victoria Tower included 10,344 Starlings , 2,167 Redwings , 52 Fieldfares , 4 Mistle Thrushes , 81 Song Thrushes , 29 Blackbirds , 17 Skylarks , 1,113 Woodpigeons , 8 Stock Doves , 2 Swallows , 566 Chaffinches , 3 Bramblings , 26 Goldfinches , 10 Greenfinches , 22 Linnets , 4 Siskins , 6 Pied Wagtails , a Water Pipit , 3 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Heron , a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Great Northern Diver . On the ground were 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrests , and a Snow Bunting was at St Catherine's. 100+ Redwings and Song Thrushes flew over the Zoo early on. Seen at Les Landes were 34 Meadow Pipits , 6 Song Thrushes , 7 Long-tailed Tits , a Grey Wagtail , a White Wagtail , 15 Robins , 25 Goldfinches , 300 Starlings , 7 Stonechats and a Dartford Warbler, also a Buzzard , a Marsh Harrier and a Kestrel . 14 Cattle Egrets were near Holme Grown at Fauvic. At St Ouen's Pond were 3 Grey Herons , a Little Grebe and c 50 Teal . In Les Ormes Valley from first light were 3 Firecrests , 8 Chiffchaffs , 15 Long-tailed Tits , a Fieldfare , 8 Blackbirds , 2 Bullfinches , 2 Cetti's Warblers and 6 Blackcaps , while flying over there were 20 Song Thrushes , 35 Redwings , 3 Siskins , 60 Chaffinches , 18 Skylarks , 120 Woodpigeons and 4 Jackdaws . At Ouaisne through the morning were 3 Firecrests, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Siskins, 3 Stonechats, a Water Rail, 4 Redwings, 8 Song Thrushes, 5 Blackbirds and a Marsh Harrier , while flying over were 9 Skylarks , 16 Chaffinches and 380 Woodpigeons which dropped in mid-morning. 8 Marsh Harriers flew into roost at St Ouen's Pond this evening and 5 Long-eared Owls were also seen. In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 107 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Common Gulls , 165 Black-headed Gulls and 18 Great Black-backed Gulls . A Snow Bunting was on St Catherine's Breakwater, also 6 Turnstones and a Grey Wagtail were seen in the Bay and a Firecrest . Good numbers of Redwings were in flight over Vallee des Vaux after midnight, last night. Extra reports from yesterday include, at the Scrape, a Lapwing , a Grey Heron , 2 Water Rails and a Barn Owl. At Trinity Manor were 23 Cattle Egrets , and on the North side of St Ouen's Pond were a Firecrest , 40 Reed Buntings , 8 Skylarks , 28 Meadow Pipits , 12 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Stonechats , 10 Water Rails , 2 Snipe , a Grey Heron and 300 Starlings .

28.10.2026 A Skylark near the seawall at Kempt Tower this week. MD The shift to more settled weather began today with winds becoming light by this afternoon, in fair to sunny conditions, and mild at 17c. Visible migration took off again today after nearly a week of stalling in the stormy weather. Seen passing or arriving at Noirmont this morning were 8 Swallows , 16,254 Woodpigeons, 211 Stock Doves, 72 Skylarks , 6 Reed Buntings , 24 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 101 Meadow Pipits , 2 Water Pipits ( a rare species at Noirmont!), 62 Starlings , 2,652 Chaffinches , 113 Linnets , 34 Goldfinches , 5 Greenfinches , a Bullfinch , 38 Song Thrushes , 6 Blackbirds , 3 Redwings , a migrant Buzzard ( plus 2 regulars), 2 Peregrines , 2 Marsh Harriers , 5 Stonechats , 20 Long-tailed Tits with 2 Great Tits, a Cormorant , a Grey Heron , 10 Ravens and 7 Black-headed Gulls . The mild weather brought out 5 Red Admirals too. The 2 Snow Buntings were both seen again, at Les Landes and L'Etacq. On the west side of Crabbe, on the North coast, were c 2,400 Herring Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Stonechats and 4 Skylarks , but no reports, so far, on yesterday's Ring-billed Gulls . A Grey Wagtail was at the north end of St Peter's Valley. Seen passing over Corbiere Phare were 84 Starlings , 650 Woodpigeons , 2 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 15 Meadow Pipits, 5 Skylarks , 1,895 Chaffinches , 20 Linnets , 16 Choughs and a Peregrine . In Petit Port Bay were 27 Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Curlews . Passing over Victoria Tower in an hour from first light, were 189 Woodpigeons , 63 Chaffinches , 70 Starlings , 6 Goldfinches , 2 Skylarks and a Peregrine . In Grouville Marsh through the morning, were a Siberian Chiffchaff, 8 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 10 Blackcaps , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 6 Bullfinches, 8 Siskins, 6 Stonechats, 10 Song Thrushes, 15 Redwings, 12 Robins, 3 Reed Buntings, 15 Wrens and 5 Water Rails. Flying over were 4 Skylarks, 6 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail , 20 Chaffinches, 120 Woodpigeons , and 2 Sparrowhawks , with 6 Cattle Egrets seen at Five Oaks. Seen around St Martin's today were a Cattle Egret , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Ravens , 2 Blackcaps and 4 Chiffchaffs . The Fieldfares and Redwings there appear to have moved on. Evening update: Further reports of Snow Buntings have come from St Catherine's, Gorey and a garden near Corbiere, so there may be more to be found around the Island, with 5 so far.

27.10.2026 A Stock Dove over Noirmont MD Early morning rain cleared to leave a fair to cloudy day in a gusty Westerly wind, and mild at 16c The Snow Bunting was at Milano Bars again this morning and a late Wheatear was seen at Kempt Tower. 2 Swallows were over a garden in St Clement, where a Clouded Yellow butterfly was also seen. In Le Braye Sandpits were 3 Little Gulls , two of which were chased by a Peregrine , but escaped. Also in the Sandpits were 15 Pochard , 13 Little Grebes and 2 Great Crested Grebes , and on the Pond at first light were 2 Little Grebes , 9 Teal and a Snipe . This afternoon, 3 Cattle Egrets were in Beaumont Marsh. Passing Grosnez after the early rain had ceased, were 2 Balearic Shearwaters , 197 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 110 Gannets , a Sandwich Tern , 3 Little Gulls , 73 Kittiwakes , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls , 41 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 224 Herring Gulls, 4 Cormorants , 16 Shag , 10 Chaffinches , 14 Goldfinches , an alba Wagtail and 4 Ravens . 19 Choughs flew West over Greve de Lecq. Evening update: At Cowley Farm were 3 Cattle Egrets, on South Pier in St Helier, a Grey Wagtail and in the Marina there, a roost of 100+ alba Wagtails and 2 Choughs .

26.10.2026 One of the 2 Snow Buntings seen recently, with the one at the Milano Bars site at L'Etacq still present this morning, and another heard at Les Landes. Thanks to Susan Renouf for the nice image. It was another weather-spoilt day with overcast conditions and periods of rain, winds still strong, today from the southwest. This afternoon was drier with a little sunshine! Also at the Milano Bar site as well as the Snow Bunting , were 36 Meadow Pipits , a Stonechat , 2 Pied Wagtails and a flock of c 300 Linnets . 4 Curlews passed offshore. On St Ouen's Pond were 2 Wigeon , 22 Teal , a Lapwing and a Water Rail and in the Sandpits were 3 Little Gulls , 12 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls , 17 Cormorants , 30 Tufted Ducks , 12 Pochard , 12 Little Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe , 2 Pied Wagtails and a Stonechat . A Cetti's Warbler was calling at Millais Farm and 5 Mediterranean Gulls plus a Lesser Black-backed Gull were on the Airport football pitch. A Skylark was on the seawall by Kempt Tower. At Petit Port were 28 Mediterranean Gulls, 10 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Turnstones , 15 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron . 2 Balearic Shearweaters and 3 Song Thrushes were seen from Noirmont, but little else. 24 Redshanks were at the St Aubin roost, 130 Brent Geese , 2 Grey Herons , a Curlew , a Pied Wagtail and a Stonechat were near the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay and 3 Cattle Egrets were at Beaumont Marsh. In Grouville Bay were 450 Brent Geese and at Trinity Manor were 13 Cattle Egrets . At Grouville Marsh around Dusk were 100 Jackdaws , 450 Woodpigeons , 35 Redwings , a Reed Bunting, a Stonechat , 2 Teal , a Grey Wagtail and 4 Chiffchaffs .

25.10.2026 An adult Little Gull in Le Braye Sandpits this morning. Image: MD Another blasting morning with some showers, with a little less wind this afternoon, from the west-northwest and still strong. Seabirds passing Grosnez this morning included a Leach's Petrel , 8 Balearic Shearwaters , 296 Gannets , 308 Razorbills , 70 auk sp , 17 Guillemots , a Fulmar , 91 Kittiwakes , 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Gull , and 39 Great Black-backed Gulls . Seen from Corbiere during the same period of the morning were a Great Northern Diver , 9 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Gannets , a single Kittiwake , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Razorbills , 64 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 13 Cormorants , 35 Shags and 15 Starlings . A Snow Bunting was seen near to Grosnez Point and another Snow Bunting was at the old Milano Bars site at L'Etacq. A Woodcock was in a garden in Vallee des Vaux. In Le Braye Sandpits were 3 Little Gulls , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 10 Little Grebes , 14 Pochard , 36 Tufted Ducks , 20 Cormorants , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls , 15 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Kestrel , a Stonechat and 4 Pied Wagtails . At Archirondel on the East coast were 3 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Song Thrushes , 12 Robins and also a Clouded Yellow butterfly and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth and in St Catherine's Bay were 2 Sandwich Terns , 47 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Little Egrets , 3 Turnstones , 3 Rock Pipits and a Chiffchaff . A single Grey Heron was at La Sente and on the north end of Grouville Bay were c 200 Brent Geese , 4 Great Crested Grebes , 4 Sandwich Terns , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 175 Black-headed Gulls , a Stonechat , and 2 Pied Wagtails . 16 Cattle Egrets were in a meadow in St Martin and at Grands Vaux were a Swallow , 2 Sparrowhawks , 2 Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier . In Vallee des vaux this evening were 4 Firecrests , a Water Rail , and 140 Redwings which flew off South. Below : further images of Little Gulls in the Sandpits, a species rarely close enough to photograph in Jersey. MD

24.10.2026 A fine Caspian Gull in St Ouen's Bay, image courtesy of Romano. An overcast morning with a strong southwest wind, but nothing like yesterday's blast, becoming wet with heavy rain this afternoon. Seabirds were on the move again this morning after yesterday's day off, and seen passing Corbiere were 3 Great Northern Divers , 2 Pomarine Skuas , 265 Razorbills , 48 Guillemots , 38 Gannets , 4 Little Gulls , 31 Black-headed Gulls , 11 Mediterranean Gulls, 49 Kittiwakes , 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 44 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Cormorants , 17 Shags and a Curlew . 2 Pied Wagtails were flying out to sea and 4 Ravens were on the headland. 55 Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were roosting at Petit Port. A Snow Bunting was by the road down to Grosnez Point, near the racecourse and 100 Woodpigeons were seen flying over Beauport. Another 500 Woodpigeons flew over West Park in St Helier. In Le Braye Sandpits were a Little Gull , a Common Gull, 23 Cormorants , 25 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 20 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes , 2 Grey Herons , 15 Pochard , 29 Tufted Ducks and 2 Pied Wagtails . At the Gunsite, in St Aubin's bay, were 350 Brent Geese , 3 Curlews and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and garden birds in Vallee des Vaux included 4 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , and a Short-toed Treecreeper , with 34 Redwings , 4 Song Thrushes and 45 Woodpigeons flying over. Also at Vallee des Vaux, last night at Dusk were dozens of Redwings heading into the night sky. Evening update: 8 Cattle Egrets were at Trinity Manor this evening. Below : A Razorbill feeding on a shoal of fish at St Catherine's, with thanks to Jacquie Bond for the great video.

23.10.2026 Little Gulls in Le Braye Sandpits this morning, during the passage of Storm Austen. MD The first named Storm of the season, Storm Austen did it's worst through the night and all day today, with winds rising to storm force 10, gusting to 76 mph, initially from the South but slowly veering to the west-northwest with periods of heavy rain. Seas were blown out. Nothing was visible, passing at sea off the West coast, with a combination of high seas, large swells and poor visibility in the rain and spray. In the relative protection of Le Braye Sandpits in St Ouen's Bay this morning were 22 Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 18 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 14 Cormorants , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 19 Little Grebes, 54 Tufted Duc ks, 16 Pochard , 87 Coot and 8 Little Egrets . In the Sandpits this afternoon were 3 Little Gulls, probably different to the morning ones, which flew off as a flock. also 48 Cormorants and a Kittiwake . In the backfields behind St Ouen's Pond this afternoon were 3 Caspian Gulls , 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 204 Great Black-backed Gulls , 70 Herring Gulls , a Common Gull , 39 Curlews and 8 Pied Wagtails . On the East coast, in St Catherine's Bay, were 3 Great Crested Grebes , 54 dark-bellied Brent Geese , 2 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , 4 Little Egrets, 3 Sandwich Terns , 145 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipits and a Black Redstart . A garden at Le Hucquet in St Martin hosted a Fieldfare and Song Thrushes , feeding on berries there, and a garden in Vallee des Vaux held 7 Redwings and 2 Firecrests . At Trinity Manor were 13 Cattle Egrets and on Grands Vaux Reservoir were 5 Cormorants , 35 Woodpigeons , a Grey Heron, a Siskin and a Sparrowhawk , At Handois Reservoir were 16 Tufted Ducks , a Grey Heron , 8 Cormorants , 18 Long-tailed Tits , a Firecrest and 2 Chiffchaffs . Below : More views of Little Gulls at Le Braye today. MD