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02.03.2025   Another visit to sea level today, with this image of a Harbour Porpoise at Grosnez this morning  MD


An overcast start to a fair to fine day, cold in an east-northeast wind.


At La Sente through today were 2 Shelduck, a Pintail, 250 Brent Geese, 10 Curlews, 82 Redshanks, 6 Greenshanks, 4 Snipe, single Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull, both in breeding plumage, a Common Gull, 6 Cattle Egrets, 11 Little Egrets, 250+ Herring Gulls, a Raven, 2 Grey Herons, 16 Pied Wagtails and a singing Greenfinch. At Robin Bay were 140 Sanderlings, 125 Dunlin, 25 Grey Plovers, 6 Redshanks, 5 Turnstones and 8 Oystercatchers.


A steady trickle of birds past Grosnez through the morning included 3 Common Scoters, 22 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, 42 Gannets, 84 Fulmars, 6 Cormorants, 40 Shags, a Common Gull, 15 Kittiwakes, 26 Great Black-backed Gulls, 48 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Curlew, 7 Oystercatchers, 10 Meadow Pipits overhead and also 2 Porpoises.  3 Mediterranean Gulls were among other gulls by Le Pulec, while at Kempt Tower pools were 17 Shovelers, 6 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Grebes and a Cetti's Warbler.


The ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen again at Crabbe, with 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and a Raven also seen.


At Augres were 50 Chaffinches and a Brambling and at Le Ferme were a Firecrest, a Redwing, a Bullfinch, 5 Pied Wagtails, a White Wagtail, 45 Starlings, 90 Chaffinches, 9 Long-tailed Tits, a Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Jackdaws, a Sparrowhawk and 5 Buzzards.


At Beaumont Marsh were 250 Brent Geese, 2 Teal and 2 Ravens.


More reports from yesterday with 5 Cattle Egrets at Le Catillon, while at Grouville Marsh were 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Reed Buntings, 3 Water Rails, 6 Teal, a Redwing, 40 Jackdaws, 2 Woodcock, a Sparrowhawk, a pair of Marsh Harriers, 82 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Common Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 6 overflying Cormorants.

by Romano da Costa 19 December 2025
19.12.2025 A few Curlew passing Corbiere on their way to roost MD Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were 19 Lapwing , 11 Shoveler , 3 Little Grebe and a Kingfisher while near to Kempt Tower were the Snow Bunting and 2 Stonechat . Elsewhere 4 Mediterranean Gull were at St Catherine's and at Beaumont Marsh were 450 Brent Geese.
by Romano da Costa 18 December 2025
18.12.2025 A beautiful close up of the Bittern at St Ouen's Photo, thanks to Dave Warncken. Seen roosting at Petit Port today were 170 Oystercatcher , 26 Curlew , 4 Great Black-backed Gull , 2 Little Egret and 4 Shag . Yesterday evening 2 Wigeon , 3 Woodcock and 12 Snipe were at St Ouens Pond and 2 Snipe were at Grantez.
by Romano da Costa 17 December 2025
17.12.2025 A recent Fulmar passing Grosnez taken by Mick. Some are now returning to the cliffs along the north coast. At Crabbe from dawn were 120 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 25 Reed Bunting, 30 Goldfinch, 3 Skylark, a Stonechat, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier and 2 Raven. In St Ouens Bay the Snow Bunting was still near Kempt Tower, 20 Rock Pipit were at Le Pulec, a Bittern flew over the Scrape and at the Pond were 20 Shoveler, 24 Brent Geese, a Water Pipit, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechat and 50 Stock Doves in the back fields. Passing Corbiere were 1,370 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 47 Gannet, a Fulmar, 9 Cormorant, 328 Kittiwake, 3 Mediterranean Gull, a Common Gull, 29 Great Black-backed Gull and 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphin while at Petit Port this evening were 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 65 Oystercatcher and 2 Little Egret. Near to Grouville Church were 35 Cattle Egret and 6 Pied Wagtail, 7 Fulmar were on cliffs near Bouley Bay and 26 Redshank were at St Aubins. In St Catherine's Woods were a Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and 4 Moorhen while in the bay were 102 Black-headed Gull, 27 Brent Geese, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest.
by Michael Dryden 16 December 2025
16.12.2025 . A Peregrine Falcon near Grosnez this morning. Image: MD. A dry but cloudy day with the wind fresh from the northwest. Off Grosnez this morning were 2 Harbour Porpoises which were attracting a lot of attention from passing Gannets . Counts from the light included 38 Gannets , a Red-throated Diver , 168 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 12 Fulmars , 53 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull , a Common Gull , a Raven and a Peregrine . In St Ouen's Bay, a Bittern was at the Scrape also 3 Stonechats , while on St Ouen's Pond were 35 Shovelers , 2 Little Grebes , 2 Snipe , a Grey Heron , 2 Water Pipits , 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechats and 2 Chiffchaffs . In the backfields were 24 Brent Geese . The Snow Bunting was again near to Kempt Tower and at La Pulente were a Shelduck , 11 dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Curlew . At La Rocque were a Shelduck , 13 Red-breasted Mergansers , a Great Crested Grebe , 66 Ringed Plovers and a Black Redstart. 26 Cattle Egrets were at Maufant and a Kingfisher was in Queen's Valley. Seen at La Coupe were 11 Common Gulls , a Kingfisher , 2 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , 18 Redwings and a Song Thrush in song. Another Kingfisher was near the RNLI Station in St Helier Marina and at Beaumont Marsh were 170 Brent Geese, 3 Snipe , 3 Little Egrets and in St Brelade's Bay were a Great crested Grebe and a Marsh Harrier . Another Song Thrush was singing at Les Creux with a Firecrest also seen there. Extra for yesterday were 56 Cattle Egrets in a field near Holme grown at Fauvic.
by Michael Dryden 15 December 2025
A handsome male Stonechat on the seawall near Kempt Tower yesterday. Image: MD A dry but mainly overcast day in a fresh south-southeast wind. A quiet day for birds, but still with some points of interest. In St Ouen's Bay, a Bittern was seen again on the Scrape while on St Ouen's Pond were 25 Shoveler , a Little Grebe , a Snipe , a Water Pipit and 2 Stonechats . In the backfields behind the Pond were 28 dark-bellied Brent Geese and along the seawall near Kempt Tower were the Snow Bunting and 2 Stonechats . Off of Corbiere first thing were 37 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 16 Gannets , 32 Shag , 5 Cormorants , 48 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Kittiwake , a Mediterranean Gull , 3 Black-headed Gulls , a Grey Heron and a Purple Sandpiper , with a Peregrine and a Raven also seen. Later morning, seen from Grosnez were 63 Razorbills , 85 Fulmars which included a raft of 68 birds, 33 Gannets , 52 Kittiwakes , 6 Great Black-backed Gulls , also a single Harbour Porpoise . At Petit Port late morning were 28 Curlews , 20 Sanderlings , 86 Oystercatchers , 2 Cormorants , 4 Ravens and 8 Long-tailed Tits . 12 Cattle Egrets were at Cowley Farm. In the St Helier Marina this evening was a roost of 250 alba Wagtails , also a Kingfisher . One report from yesterday was a Black Redstart near the Blue Note in St Helier which disappeared when the Christmas band struck up!
by Michael Dryden 14 December 2025
14.12.2025 A Skylark , preening near Kempt Tower in today's sunshine. Image: MD A fair to fine day in a fresh southerly wind, but cool at 12c. At the Wetland centre in St Ouen's Bay were 22 Shoveler, 14 Teal, a Water Rail. a Water Pipit, 4 Stonechats and a Brent Goose, which along the seawall between Sands and Kempt Tower, were 41 Ringed Plovers , the Snow Bunting , 3 Skylarks , 3 Stonechats and 4 Pied Wagtails . Another busy morning at Corbiere saw a Black-throated Diver , 6 Red-throated Divers , a late Manx Shearwater , 1,330 Razorbills , 9 Guillemots , 23 Gannets , a Shelduck , a Brent Goose , 8 Cormorants , 150+ Kittiwakes , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 61 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Common Gulls and a Peregrine , in three hours. At St Aubin were 16 pale-bellied Brent Geese . At La Rocque were 469 Dunlin, 378 Sanderlings , 65 Ringed Plovers, 109 Grey Plovers , 49 Redshanks , 2 Greenshanks , 37 Curlews , 88 Turnstones , 340 Oystercatchers , a Shelduck , 285 Brent Geese , 10 Red-breasted Mergansers , 2 Great Crested Grebes , a Slavonian Grebe and a Mediterranean Gull and behind Seymour were 7 Little Egrets. At La Sente were 9 Grey Herons , 5 Cattle Egrets and 7 Little Egrets . A further 2 Little Egrets were at Fauvic Marsh. At Haie Fleurie in St Martin were 16 Cattle Egrets and at nearby Fliquet was a pale-phase Buzzard . 2 Peregrines were at La Crete. In St Catherine's Woods were a Grey Heron , a Grey Wagtail , 3 Goldcrests and a Sparrowhawk . A Dartford Warbler was seen at Beauport and in Les Creux Country Park were 13 Long-tailed Tits . In Beaumont Marsh were 450 Brent Geese , a Grey Wagtail and a Raven . Back to yesterday evening and Redwings were calling over Gorey.
by Michael Dryden 13 December 2025
13.12.2025 Long-tailed Tit at Kempt Tower. Image: MD A decent day for a change, with mainly clear skies in a light east-southeast wind and a temperature of 12c A nice surprise today was the reappearance of the Snow Bunting in St Ouen's Bay, still near to Kempt Tower. Also in the area were 3 Stonechats . On St Ouen's Pond was a Bittern and a Water Pipit . A decent amount of movement offshore at Corbiere, in the light winds, included a Great Skua , a late Balearic Shearwater, 16 Common Scoters , 5 Fulmars , 19 Gannets , 280 Razorbills , 10 Guillemots , 28 Cormorants , 2 Brent Geese , 147 Kittiwakes , 54 Mediterranan Gulls , 5 Common Gulls , 25 Black-headed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 26 Great Black-backed Gulls , and 47 Curlews . a Black Redstart was also present and a Peregrine was hunting the area. At Petit Port were 28 Turnstones , 4 Brent Geese and 4 Little Egrets . Another Peregrine was seen at grosnez. Around La Rocque were a Slavonian Grebe , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 275 Sanderlings , c 300 Dunlin , 73 Turnstones , 37 Grey Plovers , 41 Redshanks , 87 Brent Geese , 8 Red-breasted Mergansers , 13 Grey Herons , 11 Little Egrets and 120 Oystercatchers . At Seymour were 280 Brent Geese , 17 Ringed Plovers and 7 Pied Wagtails . 420 Brent Geese were in Beaumont Marsh and 2 Cattle Egrets were on Mont a l'Abbe. At the Orchard near Trinity Church were 13 Fieldfares , 23 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes , 8 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , 2 Siskins , 2 Woodcocks , a Sparrowhawk and 6 Raven which flew overhead. 320 Herring Gulls were in a field on Rue de Brabant in Trinity and a Chough was seen on a roof at Les Hamonnets in St John.
by Michael Dryden 12 December 2025
12.12.2025 Thanks go to Romano for this great image of a Pied Wagtail which was at Le Pulec this week, wearing a colour ring from the Isle of Man . Early rain soon cleared to a cloudy day with a fresh westerly wind. A Bittern was seen again at St Ouen's Pond this morning, where 3 Snipe and a pair of Stonechat were also present. 45 Brent Geese were in the fields behind the Pond too. This morning's counts from Corbiere included 615 Razorbills , 63 Guillemots , a Red-throated Diver , 3 Fulmars , 52 Gannets , 48 Kittiwakes , 9 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls and 76 Great Black-backed Gulls , with a Grey Seal also there. At St Aubin were 33 Redshanks , 18 Turnstones and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese while in Beaumont Marsh were a Siberian Chiffchaff , 40 Chiffchaffs , 12 Goldcrests , 8 Firecrests , 4 Blackcaps , 2 Siskins , 2 Redwings , a singing Song Thrush , a Grey Heron and 8 Snipe . Seen between Seymour and La Rocque were 17 Redshanks , 2 Greenshanks , 8 Ringed Plovers, 130 Grey Plovers , 11 Grey Herons , 7 Little Egrets , 80 Sanderlings , 45 Turnstones and 250 dark-bellied Brent Geese . 13 Cattle Egrets were at La Sente and in French Harbour were 3 Brent Geese . Around Beauport and Les Creux were 7 Redwings , a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrests , a Dartford Warbler , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 6 Long - tailed Tits .
by Michael Dryden 11 December 2025
11.12.2025 A first-winter Common Gull at Corbiere Image: MD There was feel of Winter about today's weather, with overcast skies and some hill fog, feeling cooler in a fresh south-southest wind Auks were seen in greater numbers than of late at Corbiere this morning, with 1,048 Razorbills and 30 Guillemots counted in three hours. Also passing Corbiere were a Great Northern Diver , a Red-throated Diver , a Fulmar , 45 Gannets , 4 Brent Geese , 81 Shags , 9 Cormorants , 171 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 61 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls , 33 Mediterranean Gulls , 9 Black-headed Gulls and 150 Herring Gulls . At La Rocque were 2 Great Northern Divers , a Great Crested Grebe , 366 Dunlin , 260 Sanderlings , 159 Grey Plovers , 22 Ringed Plovers , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 44 Redshanks , 84 Turnstones , a Red-breasted Merganser , a Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Black Redstart . 32 Cattle Egrets were by Holme Grown at Fauvic, 12 Grey Herons were at La Sente and on Grouville Common were 45 Redwings , 4 Chiffchaffs , 2 Goldcrests and 3 Stonechats . A further 16 Cattle Egrets were at Maufant while at Le Catillon were 36 Common Gulls and one Mediterranean Gull . In St Ouen's Bay, 50 Brent Geese , 53 Shovelers , a Wigeon , 2 Teal , a Little Grebe , 16 Lapwings , a Water Pipit and a Chiffchaff were seen from the Wetland Centre and 2 Bitterns were reported from the Scrape. At Le Pulec were 11 Little Egrets , 250 Oystercatchers , 9 Curlews , 7 Great Black-backed Gulls , 40 Cormorants and 14 Shags . In Beaumont Marsh were 320 Brent Geese, a Little Egret , a Grey Heron , 3 Snipe , a Grey Wagtail and 6 Meadow Pipits . Elsewhere, 22 Fieldfares , 10 Redwings , 2 Woodcock , 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were at an orchard near to Trinity Church, a Bullfinch visited a garden at Rue de Huquet in St Martin and in Rue des Jutize at Grouville were 250 Chaffinches , 14 Reed Buntings and 60 Redwings . In Vallee des Vaux were 14 Redwings , 2 Goldcrests , a singing Song Thrush and 2 Woodcock . A late report for St Ouen's Pond yesterday evening with a roost of 24 Marsh Harriers there, also 15 Reed Buntings , 6 Chiffchaffs , 10 Cetti's Warblers , 3 Stonechats , a Firecrest , a Snipe and 6 Water Rails seen and heard there. Below : Thanks go to George Louis for this short video of Brent Geese arriving into Goose Green ( Beaumont Marsh) today.
by Michael Dryden 10 December 2025
10.12.2025 With no reports of the Snow Bunting near Kempt Tower for two days, possibly a last chance to show it here ( but hopefully not). Image: MD A fair day with medium to high cloud, mild again at 14c in a moderate southwest wind. Another steady day for birds passing Corbiere through the morning, resulted in counts of 6 Brent Geese, 125 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 85 Gannets , a Fulmar , 49 Shag , 10 Cormorants , 107 Kittiwakes , 50 Mediterranean Gulls , 38 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Gull, 88 Great Black-backed Gulls and 187 Herring Gulls . Passing La Coupe this morning were a Great Skua , 15 Razorbills , 3 Kittiwakes and a Mediterranean Gull. Seen in Beaumont Marsh today were 67 Brent Geese, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Snipe, a Grey Wagtail, an alba Wagtail , 2 Siskins , 25 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , 6 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Redwings , 3 Blackcaps , a Raven and an overflying Mediterranean Gull . At the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 245 Brent Geese and a Pied Wagtail and at St Aubin were 33 Redshanks , a Turnstone and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese . In Waterworks Valley, a Little Grebe and a Coot were on Millbrook reservoir while on Dannemarche reservoir were 2 Tufted Duck , a Grey Heron , 5 Coot , a Grey Wagtail , 4 Long-tailed Tits , 4 Goldcrests , a Short-toed Treecreeper and a Buzzard . 5 Pied Wagtails were at Noirmont. On the North Coast, at Crabbe, were a Stonechat , a Brambling , 120 Chaffinches , a Skylark , 15 Goldfinches , 4 Linnets , 20 Reed Buntings , 3 Song Thrushes , 5 Meadow Pipits, a Dartford Warbler , 3 Choughs , a Kestrel , a Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier . At Les Landes were a Peregrine , a Kestrel and a Stonechat and in Rue des Chasses, St John, was a flock of 50 Stock Doves . 2 Pied Wagtails were at Longbeach in Grouville Bay. In St Ouen's Bay, a Water Pipit was at the Wetland Centre, 10 Pochard and 6 Little Grebes were in the Sandpits, a Snipe , 5 Chiffchaffs , a Cetti's Warbler , 2 Long-tailed Tits and a Marsh Harrier were at Kempt Tower pools, while at Le Pulec were 9 Little Egrets and c 200 Oystercatchers .
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