Jersey Birds

04.10.2025 A juvenile Kestrel which is currently resident at Noirmont. Image: MD The tail of Storm Amy moved across Jersey this morning, leaving a showery airflow in winds from the west-northwest touching gale force 9 in gusts. The Glossy Ibis remained at Fauvic today, with 6 Teal joining it. In Grouville Bay, Brent Goose numbers had risen to 291, with 45 Sanderlings , 17 Dunlin and 5 Curlews also seen. Jus a few hardy birds passed Corbiere in the stormy conditions which included 3 Balearic Shearwaters , 9 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 28 Gannets , 13 Cormorants , 13 Shags , a Mediterranean Gull , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , with another 75 Great Black-backed Gulls roosting on the rocks in Petit Port. One Wheatear was still present at Corbiere yesterday. At Noirmont, a one hour watch of migrants saw just a single Swallow , 22 Meadow Pipits and 3 Linnets attempting to head off. Elsewhere, 3 Little Grebes and a Grey Wagtail were at La Hague reservoir in St Peter's Valley, a Grey Wagtail was on Ruelle es Ruaux and on the St Clement Trail were 2 Ravens , a Buzzard , 2 Grey Herons and 7 Meadow Pipits. At Grands Vaux reservoir 2 Kingfishers , and in Vallee des Vaux were 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs . Late reports for yesterday : At La Rocque were 9 Sandwich Terns, 14 Sanderlings , a Bar-tailed Godwit and 8 Grey Plovers and 2 Swallows were seen over Trinity Church Below : When the going gets tough...... Jersey's lifeboat passing Noirmont today!!! Image: MD

02.10.2025 Ringed Plover by Romano da Costa RDC A mainly cloudy day ahead of forecast deterioration tonight, winds from the south-southeast There was less visible migration than would be expected in the clear conditions today. Seen passing Noirmont were a Hobby , a migrant Kestrel , 2 Marsh Harriers, a male Sparrowhawk , a Peregrine , 5 Buzzards , 3 Grey Herons , 833 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails , 60 alba Wagtails , just 115 Swallows , 107 Linnets , 18 Chaffinches , 13 Goldfinches , 5 Greenfinches , 3 Song Thrushes , a juvenile Common Gull and 2 Red Admirals . On the ground were 4 Stonechats , 3 Robins , a Firecrest , 2 Chiffchaffs and 4 Dartford Warblers . Local corvids included 5 Choughs , 12 Ravens , 29 Crows and a flock of 11 Magpies . In the East, a Glossy Ibis was present again at Fauvic while in Grouville Bay were 130 dark-bellied Brent Geese and at Seymour were 31 Ringed Plovers , 2 Grey Plovers , a Sanderling and a Dunlin . A further 16 dark-bellied Brent Geese were at St Catherine's, also 50 Linnets , and a Grey Wagtail was in St Catherine's Woods, at the small reservoir. At Grouville Marsh this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 20 Blackcaps , 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Bullfinches , 2 Firecrests , 16 Long-tailed Tits , a Short-toed Treecreeper , 6 Water Rails , 2 Stonechats and 2 Grey Herons . Overflying there were a Swallow , 2 Chaffinches , 16 Goldfinches , 2 Song Thrushes , 4 Ravens and 70 Jackdaws . In Trinity, a Grey Wagtail was at la Rue de la Falaise and 45 Meadow Pipits were at Augres. 2 Grey Herons were at Grands Vaux reservoir. In Vallee des Vaux were 3 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 10 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 17 Siskins , a Short-toed Treecreeper and a Sparrowhawk . At Sorel this afternoon were 45 Linnets , 30 Meadow Pipits a Dartford Warbler and a Kestrel . In St Aubin's Bay, 90 Brent Geese were at the Gunsite and a Grey Wagtail was at Beaumont Marsh, and at Petit Port were 29 Curlews , 7 Little Egrets and 11 Great Black-backed Gulls . On Mont Matthieu were a pale-phased Buzzard , 2 Choughs and a Sparrowhawk . In St Ouen's Bay, near Sands, were 32 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin , 3 Sanderlings , 53 Mediterranean Gulls and 130 Black-headed Gulls. Below : A juvenile Marsh Harrier over Noirmont at Dawn today. Image: MD

01.10.2025 A recent Spotted Flycatcher , pictured here at Kempt Tower, with thanks to Alan Gicquel for the image. AG A cloudy morning and a fine afternoon, with just light winds from the South (19c) A good list from Grouville Marsh this morning included a Yellow-browed Warbler, 20 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 4 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Robins , 2 Firecrests , 2 Stonechats , 5 Water Rails on the ground and overhead, 76 Jackdaws , a Sparrowhawk , a Marsh Harrier , 12 Meadow Pipits , 2 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 3 Song Thrushes , a Chaffinches , 8 Linnets , 8 Goldfinches , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , and 4 Buzzards . At Le Hurel were 53 Brent Geese, 21 Sandwich Terns and 3 Great Crested Grebes and one Glossy Ibis was at Fauvic. At La Rocque was a Short-eared Owl , 300 Oystercatchers , 5 Little Egrets and in the fields behind the Harbour were 2 Stonechats , 14 Meadow Pipits, 2 Linnets , 4 Goldfinches and 8 Ravens . At La Sente were 4 Grey Herons , 41 Crows and a Raven and at Victoria Tower were 2 Chiffchaffs , 3 Firecrests and a Goldcrest . A Grey Wagtail and a Peregrine were seen at Rozel. Counts from Noirmont this morning, on a relatively quiet day, included 267 Swallows , 10 House Martins, 240 Meadow Pipits , 20 alba Wagtails , a Yellow Wagtail , a Grey Wagtail , 216 Linnets , 4 Siskins , 13 Chaffinches , 22 Goldfinches , 4 Greenfinches , 3 Skylarks , a Song Thrush , 9 Blackbirds , 6 Stonechats , 6 Dartford Warblers , 5 Chiffchaffs , 3 Grey Herons , a flight of 8 Cormorants , a Blackcap , 2 Starlings , a male Marsh Harrier, 12 Buzzards airborne at one time, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Ravens , a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Gannets , a Clouded Yellow and a Red Admiral butterfly. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Teal , 3 Water Rails , a Snipe , 2 Stonechats and 5 Chiffchaffs, 30 Linnets and a Clouded Yellow butterfly . and up at Val de la Mare reservoir were a Spotted Flycatcher , a Grey Wagtail, 3 Choughs and another Raven . On Grands Vaux reservoir were a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail and in Vallee des Vaux, were 2 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , 6 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps and a Sparrowhawk .

30.09.2025 A beautiful image of a juvenile Arctic Skua off the West coast yesterday, taken by John Ovenden JO A second day of warm and sunny conditions in a light northeast wind (19c). A Spoonbill flew North past Noirmont around midday, heading into St Aubin's Bay and other migrants seen from Noirmont today included 874 Swallows, 284 House Martins , 5 Skylarks , 5 Wheatears , 10+ Blackbirds , 3 Song Thrushes , 10+ Robins , 57 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 470 Meadow Pipits , 14 Siskins , 310 Linnets , 29 Goldfinches, 18 Chaffinches, and 3 Blue Tits . On the ground were 6 Stonechats , 10+ Chiffchaffs , and 6 Dartford Warblers , while local birds there, included a Sparrowhawk , 4 Buzzards , 7 Jackdaws and 2 Ravens , also 2 Clouded Yellows and a Red Admiral butterfly flew by. An Arctic Skua was seen chasing a Sandwich Tern off St Brelade's Bay and 3 Balearic Shearwaters were near Corbiere. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Snipe, a Stonechat and 2 Chiffchaffs . In St Ouen's Bay this evening were 39 Great Black-backed Gulls , 37 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Mediterranean Gulls . 111 Brent Geese were at St Aubin and a Willow Warbler was in Beaumont Marsh. On the South side of Grouville Marsh this morning were 18 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 8 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Bullfinches , 2 Stonechats , 5 Water Rails , 4 Song Thrushes , 15 Robins and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers , while overflying there were 42 Jackdaws , a Marsh Harrier , 18 alba Wagtails , 4 Grey Wagtails , 6 Linnets , 4 Chaffinches , 2 Siskins , 2 Skylarks and 20 Meadow Pipits . Seen from Le Hurel were 6 Great Crested Grebes, and 2 Brent Geese and in fields behind La Rocque were a Whinchat , 2 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 40 Swallows , 94 Meadow Pipits, 2 Siskins , 2 alba Wagtails and 8 Ravens . At Victoria Tower were a Swallow , 4 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap and a Goldcrest . In St Catherine's Woods were 2 Grey Wagtails and the local Buzzards . On the North coast, at Crabbe, were 5 Stonechats , 12 Meadow Pipits , a Wheatear , a Blackbird , good numbers of Robins and Chiffchaffs , a Kestrel , a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards and 3 Jackdaws . At Les Landes this morning were 6 Stonechats , 40 Linnets , 4 alba Wagtails , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Dartford Warblers and a Marsh Harrier . At Egypt Woods were 8 Ravens and a Marsh Harrier and in a Maize field at Sion were 53 alba Wagtails , a Stonechat , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Snipe and a Song Thrush .  Below : Yesterday's view looking East from Noirmont at Sunrise. Image: MD

29.09.2025 Yesterday's Spotted Flycatcher in St Ouen's Bay, image courtesy of Romano RDC A fine day, becoming warm at 19c in light northeasterly breezes. A visit to Les Ecrehous today found 10+ Chiffchaffs , 2 Robins , a Stonechat , a Blackcap , 10 Linnets , 2 alba Wagtails , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 3 Wheatears , 12 Swallows , a Ringed Plover , a Turnstone , a Peregrine , 5 Grey Herons , 2 Crows and 4 Red Admiral butterflies on the reef. Migration was more lively today at Noirmont too with counts of 739 Swallows , 272 House Martins , 7 Skylarks , 57 mostly Pied Wagtails , a Yellow Wagtail , 707 Meadow Pipits , 22 Siskins , 407 Linnets , 5 Chaffinches , 2 Wheatears , 9 Stonechats , 6 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , a Grey Heron , 3 Little Egrets , a Peregrine , 2 Ravens and 4 Dartford Warblers , while offshore were 2 distant skua sp , 51 Sandwich Terns , 27 Black-headed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Balearic Shearwaters , 52 Gannets , 9 Red Admirals and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Seen just North of Corbiere rocks were at least 2 Arctic Skuas, c40 Balearic Shearwaters and a selection of gulls and Sandwich Terns . At Fauvic were 2 Glossy Ibis and at Queen's Valley reservoir was a Great Crested Grebe . A Peregrine , a Wheatear and 2 Skylarks were seen at Gorselands and 6 Stonechats plus 2 Dartford Warblers were at Beauport. In Petit Port Bay were 15 Little Egrets and 16 Mediterranean Gulls and at the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 40 Brent Geese and 2 Sandwich Terns . In St Ouen's Bay were 29 Mediterranean Gulls , 183 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Sandwich Terns , a Dunlin , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls . On St Ouen's Pond were 3 Little Grebes , 11 Shovelers , 4 Wigeon , 14 Teal , 3 Grey Herons, at least 200 Black-headed Gulls and a Greenfinch . A Grey Wagtail has returned to Rozel Harbour and a Wheatear was at Jardin d'Olivet. Several extra reports for yesterday : In St Ouen's Bay were 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls and 9 Sandwich Terns and at the Frances le Sueur Centre in St Ouen's Bay were a Spotted Flycatcher , 10 Chiffchaffs and 2 Cetti's Warblers . At the Wetland Centre were a Reed Warbler , 5 Teal , 6 Shovelers , 2 Water Rails , 3 Chiffchaffs and 4 Cetti's Warblers and on the racecourse at Les Landes were 150 Meadow Pipits . A Kingfisher was seen at Grands Vaux reservoir. Late reports: In Vallee des Vaux this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 3 Blackcaps , 5 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , a Water Rail , an alba Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk and at the Farmer's Cricket ground were 13 Pied Wagtails, 11 White Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits and a Wheatear . The maize field by Trinity Manor held a Snipe , 19 alba Wagtails and 2 Song Thrushes roosting. Below : One of the Glossy Ibis currently in the Island, image again from Romano.

28.09.2025 Numbers of Arctic Skuas are being seen at the moment, including this light-phased bird off St Ouen's Bay this week, image courtesy of John Ovenden. A cloudy day with some light rain mid-morning, winds veering from south to west as a cold front passed (15c) A Glossy Ibis was at Fauvic again this morning, also a Grey Heron , a Whinchat and a Stonechat nearby. At Grouville Marsh south side were 40 Chiffchaffs , 15 Blackcaps , 2 Bullfinches , 6 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Stonechats , a Song Thrush , a Little Egret and 4 Water Rails , while flying over were a Yellow Wagtail , 2 alba Wagtails , 2 Siskins , 2 Greenfinches , 40 Swallows , 8 House Martins , 45 Jackdaws and a Marsh Harrier . Offshore in Grouville Bay, as viewed from Le Hurel, were 51 Brent Geese and 23 Great Crested Grebes . At La Rocque were 3 Sandwich Terns , 10 Grey Herons , 23 Little Egrets , 25 Curlews and 48 Turnstones . 18 Cattle Egrets were at Cowley Farm and a further 15 were opposite St Saviour's School. Passing offshore at Noirmont were 18 Arctic Skuas , 13 Balearic Shearwaters , 195 Sandwich Terns , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , 72 Black-headed Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull , a Razorbill , and 2 Cormorants , while on, or overflying the Noirmont headland were the first Ring Ouzel of the Autumn, 2 Stonechats , 317 Swallows , 5 House Martins , 85 Meadow Pipits , 2 Greenfinches , 13 Linnets , a Chaffinch , 2 Stonechats , 6 Dartford Warblers , a migrant Marsh Harrier , a Peregrine and 2 Choughs . In St Ouen's Bay were 12 Dunlin , 43 Ringed Plovers and 3 alba Wagtails, and at Petit Port were 33 Curlews , 11 Little Egrets and a Mediterranean Gull . In St Aubin's Bay were 68 Brent Geese and 20 Redshanks and at Elizabeth Castle were 250 Oystercatchers , 4 Curlews , and 9 Curlews . At the Farmer's Cricket Ground in St Martin were 4 Yellow Wagtails, 8 White Wagtails , 6 Pied Wagtails , 36 Meadow Pipits and a Chough . Yesterday evening, the maize field in Trinity held 500 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk . Below : Thanks go to Jo Bramley for this clip of the Glossy Ibis currently in Fauvic.

27.09.2025 Willow Warblers have mostly gone past us now on the way back to Africa, so thanks to Alan Gicquel for this nice image of one at Kempt Tower pools recently. AG A day of high cloud, feeling cold in a fresh Southerly wind There was far less by way of migration through the Island today, despite seemingly suitable conditions. Seen at Noirmont this morning were 240 Swallows , 14 House Martins , 3 Sand Martins, 34 Linnets , 4 Chaffinches , 4 Greenfinches , 2 Stonechats , a Song Thrush , a Blackcap , 5 Chiffchaffs , 3 Cormorants and a Grey Heron , while local birds included 5 Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier , a Peregrine , 2 Kestrels , 2 Choughs , 10+ Ravens and c60 Crows . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Wheatears , 50 Linnets , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 20 Meadow Pipits, a Marsh Harrier and 3 Buzzards . 20 Redshanks and 15 Turnstones were roosting at St Aubin, a Little Grebe was in the top pond at Queen's Valley and 12 Cattle Egrets were at La Lourderie, near La Rocque. 2 Little Egrets were at Rozel harbour. A Glossy Ibis was seen at Fauvic Marsh and Spotted Flycatchers were reported from the Frances le Sueur Centre in St Ouen's Bay. Some late records from Sorel yesterday, include 8 Swallows , 14 Linnets , 6 Meadow Pipits , 4 Chiffchaffs and a Buzzard . Below: Wigeon on the Scrape this week, with thanks to Jo Bramley for the short video

26.09.2025 This young Sabine's Gull was seen to the West of St Ouen's Bay recently and thanks go to John Ovenden for this glorious image. A cold feeling day with overcast skies and a moderate northeast wind (13c) Migrants passing Noirmont in the overcast conditions included a juvenile Hobby , 2,184 Swallows, 1,039 House Martins, 9 Sand Martins , 488 Meadow Pipits , 7 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , 8 alba Wagtails , 62 Linnets , 3 Chaffinches , a Wheatear , a Whitethroat , 2 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , 7 Grey Herons , along with local birds which incuded a Marsh Harrier , 3 Peregrines , 4 Buzzards , 2 Kestrels , 7 Jackdaws , 12 Ravens and a Dartford Warbler . Passing offshore were a flock of 7 Eider , 4 Arctic Skuas , 30+ Balearic Shearwaters, a Manx Shearwater , 50+ Sandwich Terns , 10 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls and 14 Gannets . In Grouville Marsh were 50 Chiffchaffs , 2 Reed Warblers , a Sedge Warbler , 5 Blackcaps , 6 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Firecrests , 2 Bullfinches , and flying over were 8 Siskins , 25 Meadow Pipits and 20 Swallows . Also seen were 4 Water Rails, 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Ravens , 55 Jackdaws and an alba Wagtail . A Great Crested Grebe was at Seymour in Grouville Bay and in fields around La Rocque were 6 Stonechats , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 5 White Wagtails , a Blackcap , 4 Chiffchaffs and overflying were 28 Swallows , 2 Siskins and 23 Meadow Pipits . 14 Cattle Egrets were in Route des Cotils. At Pontac were 220 Oystercatchers and 8 Sandwich Terns . Around St Aubin's Bay, 4 Grey Herons , 12 Curlews and 200+ Oystercatchers were at Elizabeth Castle, 35 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 25 dark-bellied Brent Geese , a Grey Heron and 11 Ravens were at St Aubin, 6 Sandwich Terns were at Small Roads and 30 Swallows flew over Beaumont Marsh. 347 Swallows were counted flying over Kempt Tower in 30 minutes, 3 Willow Warblers , a Chiffchaff , 24 Linnets , a Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Heron were at the Scrape, and 3 Ravens plus 4 Buzzards were by St Lawrence Church. Extras for yesterday include 1,500 Swallows roosting in Maize at Trinity and a Wheatear plus 7 Grey Herons seen at Sorel.

25.09.2025 Last week's Curlew Sandpipers have moved on, but not before Romano got this beautiful image in Grouville Bay RDC A fair to cloudy day, with a distinct Autumnal feel in a fresh northeast wind (17c) 2 Purple Herons flew in from the South over Beauport this morning, heading North but not seen since. Also there, were the Wryneck again, 2 Stonechats , a Whitethroat , 2 Chiffchaffs , 4 Dartford Warblers and overhead, 25 House Martins , 33 Swallows and 2 Cormorants . Counts from the Noirmont bunker this morning included 2,056 Swallows , 1,109 House Martins, a Sand Martin , 22 Siskins , 18 Chaffinches , 28 Linnets , a Skylark , a Song Thrush , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 alba Wagtails , 278 Meadow Pipits , a Wheatear , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , a Grey Heron , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 16 Ravens , 23 Cormorants and 9 Black-headed Gulls . On the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Wigeon, 4 Teal, a Redshank , a Snipe and the Yellow-crowned Bishop . At Kempt Tower were 40 Ringed Plovers , 4 Sanderlings and a Dunlin In fields around Grouville Marsh or flying over were 10 Cattle Egrets , a Redstart , 12 Blackcaps , 30 Chiffchaffs , a Sedge Warbler , 4 Cetti's Warblers , 16 Siskins , 20 Goldfinches , 15 Linnets , 3 Chaffinches , a Song Thrush , 60 Jackdaws , a Chough , 2 Ravens , 2 Marsh Harriers , a Sparrowhawk , 100 Swallows , 30 House Martins and 25 Meadow Pipits . At La Sente were 19 Grey Herons , a Yellow Warbler and a Marsh Harrier and on Grouville Common were 3 Wheatears . In Grouville Bay were 31 Ringed Plovers, 15 Dunlin and 7 Sanderlings roosting on the sea wall at the northern end. 2 Wheatears and 4 Brent Geese were also there and a further 2 Wheatears were at Seymour. In the fields behind La Rocque were 4 Stonechats , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , while flying over were 62 Swallows , 22 House Martins , a Siskin and 18 Meadow Pipits during a twenty minute count. A similar count at Victoria Tower saw 34 Swallows , 8 House Martins , 8 Meadow Pipits and a White Wagtail fly by with 14 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap and 16 Long-tailed Tits on the ground. On the Farmer's Cricket ground in St Martin were 4 Yellow Wagtails , 8 White Wagtails and 24 Meadow Pipits and in nearby Rue du Huquet were a male Redstart and House Martins still feeding young in the nest.