04.09.2024  This Dotterel, probably the same bird first seen on 28th August, was still present at Les Landes today, but difficult to track down. Thanks to Alan Gicquel for this stunning image  AG


Overcast conditions this morning with showers in a light west-northwest wind and a brighter afternoon.


The occasional showers, heavy at times, did much to stir up the birds today, with passing migrants being brought to ground as the showers passed. Noirmont fared well today and a morning-long visible migration watch saw 31 Wheatears, 5 Whinchats, 6 Redstarts, 7 Stonechats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 105 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Tree Pipits, 6 White Wagtails, 10+ Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, 12 Whitethroats, 4 Dartford Warblers, 15 Robins, a Swift, 485 Swallows, 47 Sand Martins, 35 House Martins, 7 Greenfinches, 8 Linnets, 2 Peregrines, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Cormorants, 22 Gannets, 4 Sandwich Terns, 3 Jays, 6 Jackdaws and 2 Ravens.


Passing Grosnez were 23 Balearic Shearwaters, a Guillemot and 3 Mediterranean Gulls, while on Les Landes were a Dotterel, a Snipe, 2 Golden Plovers, 7 Wheatears, 36 Meadow Pipits and a Willow Warbler.


On the north side of St Ouen's Pond were a Wheatear, 2 Sand Martins and just a few Swallows and another 7 Wheatears were at the Pond. On the Scrape were 3 Teal, 2 Shovelers, 2 Water Rails, a Redshank, 5 Green Sandpipers which dropped in briefly and a Reed Warbler. Swallows seen on the move over St Peter were likely to have been the same birds which passed over Noirmont and a Willow Warbler was at Les Ormes Golf Club


At Petit Port were 21 Mediterranean Gulls, 56 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 35 Curlews and 6 Common Sandpipers were at Le Pulec. A further 5 Wheatears were on Grouville Common and 4 more Wheatears were by Le Hocq Tower, also a Green-veined White butterfly.


Yesterday evening, at Le Fevre Farm in St Martin, 2 House Martin's nests were still active with young and along the northwest coast eastwards from Plemont were 5 adult Fulmars with as yet, unfledged young.


by Michael Dryden 2 February 2026
02.02.2026 Black-necked Grebe at La Rocque today. Image: MD A cold and mainly overcast day, with rain this afternoon (8c) A good mix of species at La Rocque early morning included 3 Great Northern Divers , 2 Black-throated Divers , 4 Black-necked Grebes , 2 Slavonian Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe , 5 Red-breasted Mergansers , 100+ Brent Geese , 460 Black-headed Gulls, 22 Common Gulls, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and among many waders, one Knot . Seen from Seymour were 10 Common Gulls , 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 150 Grey Plovers, 17 Curlews , 50 Turnstones and hundreds of both Sanderlings and Dunlin . At La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 350 Brent Geese , a Shoveler , 74 Redshanks , 5 Common Gulls , 100 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , a Yellow - legged Gull , 17 Grey Herons , 2 Cattle Egrets and 21 Redwings . 8 Cattle Egrets were at Grouville Marsh. A further 47 Cattle Egrets were at Rue Parcq. Around St Ouen's Pond were 52 Shovelers , 8 Pochard , 5 Wigeon , 5 Tufted Duck , 5 Teal , 2 Little Grebes , 170 Brent Geese , 2 Snipe , 53 Lapwings , 2 Grey Herons , 35 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , a Common Gull , a Water Rail , 235 Stock Doves and a Sparrowhawk . By the square tower were 31 Ringed Plovers , 8 Dunlin and a Skylark . At West Park in St Aubin's Bay were 2 Curlews , 12 Oystercatchers , 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Little Egret . Below : Sunrise at Seymour Tower. MD
by Michael Dryden 1 February 2026
01.02.2026 White-fronted Goose by Romano. RDC A mainly dry but cloudy day in a south becoming southwest wind (10c) Seawatching from Le Pulec was a little more productive today than of late and seen in three hours were an an adult pale-phase Arctic Skua, a Black-throated Diver , 4 Red-throated Divers , 12 Razorbills , a Brent Goose , 9 Fulmars , 82 Gannets , 41 Shags , 3 Cormorants , 115 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull , 24 Great Black-backed Gulls and 21 Curlews , with a Pied Wagtail , 20 Rock Pipits and a Buzzard also passing by. On the beach in St Ouen's Bay were 56 Mediterranean Gulls and at Kempt Tower was the Snow Bunting. Around St Ouen's Pond were a White-fronted Goose , 10 Pochard , 38 Shoveler , 120 Brent Geese , 5 Grey Herons , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 56 Lapwings , 8 Snipe , a Water Pipit . 200 Stock Doves and 2 Little Grebes and at the Scrape were 3 Wigeon , 11 Skylarks and 5 Chiffchaffs . 2 Shelduck were at Petit Port. At St Aubin were 20 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 160 dark-bellied Brent , a Mediterranean Gull, and a Great Crested Grebe and on the Airport football pitch were 41 Mediterranean Gulls . In Beaumont Marsh were 12 Redwings, 9 Song Thrushes, 56 Starlings and 2 Little Egrets. La Sente held 500 Brent Geese, a Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Snipe, 28 Common Gulls, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 30 Redwings, 50 Cattle Egrets, 18 Grey Herons , 52 Redshanks , 4 Greenshanks , 4 Curlews , 25 Pied Wagtails , and 4 Ravens . 33 Cattle Egrets were at Parcq Farm and on Grouville Common were 3 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap and 2 Stonechats .
by Michael Dryden 31 January 2026
31.01.2026 Male Marsh Harrier at St Ouen's Pond. Image: MD Overnight rain cleared at Sunrise leaving a fair to cloudy day in a south-west wind. On St Ouen's Pond this morning were 10 Pochard , 39 Shoveler , a Tufted Duck , 16 Teal , 2 Grey Herons, 4 Marsh Harriers and a Water Pipit . In the fields behind the Pond were 60 Lapwings and 113 Brent Geese . The Snow Bunting was seen again by the sea wall at Kempt Tower. Passing Le Pulec early on were 70 Gannets , 2 Fulmars , 3 Razorbills , 19 Shags , 155 Kittiwakes , 3 Mediterranean Gulls , 21 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Curlews and 2 Ravens . A Water Pipit was on the rocks there. In Petit Port Bay this afternoon were 42 Curlews , 19 Grey Plovers , 58 Turnstones , 183 Oystercatchers , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Little Egret, 38 Brent Geese and 2 Cormorants . At Beaumont Marsh were 3 Buzzards , a Curlew , a Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail and 4 Little Egrets . 6 Tufted Duck were on Queen's Valley reservoir.
by Michael Dryden 30 January 2026
30.01.2026 Turnstone at Le Pulec Image: MD High cloud this morning gave way to heavy rain by lunchtime, mild in an increasing southerly wind. At La Sente in the middle of the day were 2 Shoveler , a Wigeon , 125 Brent Geese, 52 Curlews , 7 Greenshanks , 42 Redshanks , 6 Grey Herons and 8 Pied Wagtails . In Beaumont Marsh were 100 Black-headed Gulls , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 pale-bellied Brent Geese , a Grey Heron and a Pied Wagtail . A little early morning passage past Grosnez saw 142 Gannets , 42 Fulmars , 4 Razorbills , 5 auk sp , 12 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Ravens and a Peregrine carrying prey, in one hour. At Petit Port were 35 Curlews , 11 Grey Plovers , 10 Turnstones and 3 Cormorants and at St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Shelduck , 5 Wigeon , 5 Snipe , 30 Lapwings , 6 Grey Herons , a Water Rail, a Cetti's Warbler and in the backfields was a Merlin. The Snow Bunting was see by the Cutty Sark. A very early, or late, breeding record was of 2 Barn Owl nestlings in the East of the Island.
by Michael Dryden 29 January 2026
29.01.2026 A beautiful image of a Black-throated Diver at La Rocque, with thanks to photographer Dave Warncken An unpleasant day to follow yesterday's fine conditions, with an overcast morning and a wet afternoon and evening, feeling cold at 7c in an increasing southeast wind On St Ouen's Pond this morning were 2 Shelduck , 5 Wigeon , 19 Teal , 48 Shoveler , 5 Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe and a Grey Heron , while in the backfields were 107 Brent Geese , 35 Lapwings , 220 Stock Doves and 30+ Starlings . Little was moving past Corbiere first thing, with just 10 Gannets , a Fulmar , 2 Brent Geese , 3 Cormorants , 8 Shags and 21 Great Black-backed Gulls seen in one hour. At Petit Port later were 31 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Gull , 32 Curlews , 14 Grey Plovers and 3 Purple Sandpipers plus the usual Oystercatchers . Around Goose Green / Beaumont Marsh were 56 Black-headed Gulls , 30 Redwings , 10 Siskins , 18 Meadow Pipits , a Pied Wagtail and 3 Little Egrets. Scattered reports from elsewhere included 5 Cattle Egrets in Rue des Alleurs, Grouville, 40 Redwings and a Song Thrush in Rue de la Clochette, St Martin and 1 Grey Wagtail and a Little Egret in Rozel. The result of the Wader Count , held on the 20th January are now available in the Resources Section of the website.
by Michael Dryden 28 January 2026
28.01.2026 A Short-toed Treecreeper at Pont Marquet today. Image: MD It was a respite day today, with clear skies, a moderate southerly breeze and a mild 10c A little early morning seabird passage past Corbiere soon petered out, but in ninety minutes, included 112 Gannets, 4 Fulmars , 2 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 3 auk sp , 145 Kittiwakes , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, a Common Gull and 9 Cormorants . In Petit Port Bay were 23 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , a Purple Sandpiper , 4 Curlews , 17 Grey Plovers , 9 Turnstones , a Yellow-legged Gull , 5 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , a Cormorant , a Shag , 8 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher . At La Rocque were 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and at Rue Parcq were 26 Cattle Egrets . On Grouville Common were a Water Rail, 11 Redwings , 3 Stonechats , 6 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps . In spring-like conditions, birds at Pont Marquet included 2 Buzzards , 20 Redwings , 8 Song Thrushes ( two in song), 10 Blackbirds , 12 Robins , 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers , 6 Short-toed Treecreepers , 5 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , a Blackcap , a Chiffchaff , 10+ Great Tits , 3 Blue Tits and 13 Chaffinches . At Noirmont was a Dartford Warbler and a Meadow Pipit , also a Peacock butterfly and another Peacock was in a garden, in St John.
by Michael Dryden 27 January 2026
27.01.2026 A Ringed Plover at roost, image with thanks to Romano RDC A cloudy day, but dry until this evening in an increasingly gusty southerly wind (10c) Not much is changing in terms of comings and goings at the moment. On St Ouen's Pond today were 2 Shelduck , 68 Teal , 51 Shoveler , 15 Pochard , a Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe , 180 Brent Geese for their morning wash, and 60 Lapwings . The Snow Bunting was at it's usual location near Kempt Tower along with 2 Stonechats . In a field on Mont Matthieu were c40 Black-headed Gulls and 20 Mediterranean Gulls . Passing Corbiere through the morning were a Great Northern Diver , a Red-throated Diver , 22 Guillemots , a Razorbill , 6 auk sp , 3 Fulmars , 68 Gannets , 36 Shags , 5 Cormorants , 80 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 16 Mediterranean Gulls and 23 Rock Pipits , with 6 Purple Sandpipers flying in towards Petit Port. At Petit Port were 23 Brent Geese, 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Great Black-backed Gulls , 28 Curlews , 18 Grey Plovers , 22 Turnstones and 2 Purple Sandpipers . In La Sente were 577 Brent Geese , a Wigeon , 83 Redshanks , 7 Greenshanks , a Turnstone , 13 Curlews , 12 Grey Herons , 5 Little Egrets , 2 Cattle Egrets, 38 Redwings , a Song Thrush , c 200 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Common Gulls, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and 4 Ravens . At Holme Grown were a further 67 Cattle Egrets . In St Catherine's Woods were a Merlin , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Redwings , 3 Firecrests , a Bullfinch , a Short-toed Treecreeper, and a Grey Wagtail with a Peregrine seen near La Crete. Another Grey Wagtail visited it's regular garden at Greve de Lecq. At Beaumont today were c500 Brent Geese including 3 pale-bellied Brent , 90 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Mediterranean Gulls , a Grey Heron , 12 Redwings and a Pied Wagtail . On Millbrook Reservoir in Waterworks Valley were 5 Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe , 2 Grey Herons , 2 Cormorants and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, and at Dannemarche Reservoir was another Grey Heron.
by Michael Dryden 26 January 2026
26.01.2026 Purple Sandpiper at Corbiere this morning. Image: MD A dry morning in light southerly winds, with rain and increasing winds arriving this afternoon. (10c) Seawatching from Corbiere through the morning saw 2 Black-throated Divers, 7 Brent Geese , 3 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 7 distant auk sp , 4 Fulmars , 192 Gannets, a Great Crested Grebe , 79 Shags , 17 Cormorants , 3 Grey Herons , 79 Mediterranean Gulls , 15 Kittiwakes , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 68 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , a Curlew , 10 Purple Sandpipers , 38 Rock Pipits and also, 2 Harbour Porpoise and a loose pod of 32 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . At Petit Port were 42 Mediterranean Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 19 Grey Plovers , 3 Purple Sandpipers , 44 Turnstones and 38 Curlews . On the East coast, passing La Coupe were 4 Great Northern Divers , 2 Black-throated Divers , 8 Red-throated Divers, 6 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls, 3 Mediterranean Gulls , a Black-headed Gull and 3 Gannets, and in St Catherine's Bay were 5 Brent Geese , 3 Great Crested Grebes and a Grey Wagtail . In St Catherine's Woods were a Firecrest , 2 Blackcaps , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Buzzards . In Bouley Bay were 10 Fulmars , 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Peregrines . At La Sente were 350 Brent Geese , a Wigeon , 3 Grey Herons , 7 Little Egrets , 2 Cattle Egrets , 7 Greenshanks and 44 Redshanks . At Beaumont Marsh were 520 Brent Geese , 35 Redwings , 3 Pied Wagtails and a Marsh Harrier . Around St Ouen's Pond were 74 Brent Geese, 14 Pochard , 49 Shoveler , 2 Shelduck , 5 Wigeon , 4 Tufted Duck , 2 Little Grebes , a Grey Heron , 2 Snipe , 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff . On Sands Slip were 37 Ringed Plovers , 22 Dunlin , 22 Sanderling and 2 Oystercatchers .
by Michael Dryden 25 January 2026
25.01.2026 Great Crested Grebe stretching. Seymour today. Image: MD. Rain until late morning, becoming cloudy in a fresh south-southeast , becoming west wind. In or passing Grouville Bay, as viewed from Seymour Slip this morning, were 8 Great Northern Divers , a Black-throated Diver , a Red-throated Diver , 6 Great Crested Grebes , 3 Black-necked Grebes , 2 Slavonian Grebes , 22 Red-breasted Mergansers , 10 Cormorants , 17 Shags , 3 Gannets , a Mediterranean Gull and a Peregrine , which was disturbing waders from the rocks at La Rocque, which included 180 Grey Plovers , 20 Ringed Plovers , 17 Turnstones and a mixed flock of c200 Dunlin and Sanderling . Seen at La Rocque were a Great Crested Grebe , a Black-necked Grebe and 2 Slavonian Grebes . At La Sente were 380 Brent Geese , 150 Black-headed Gulls , a Teal , 68 Redshanks , 4 Greenshanks , a Common Gull, 4 Curlews and 23 Pied Wagtails . 3 Cattle Egrets were near to Holme Grown. 17 Cattle Egrets and a Grey Wagtail were at Cowley Farm and 30 Coot were in Grouville Marsh. The Snow Bunting was at Kempt Tower and in Petit Port Bay were 40 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Shelduck , 2 Grey Herons , 25 Turnstones and a Kingfisher . At Chateau Clairval were 3 Teal , a Grey Heron , 4 Cattle Egrets and a Yellow-legged Gull, and 26 Redshanks were roosting at St Aubin. In fields by St John village were c 1000 Woodpigeons and 50 Stock Doves . The figures from the Brent Goose count , taken on 20th January, are now available on the Resources page. Below : Thanks go to Jo Bramley for this video of Bullfinches feeding in the Zoo. Strange noises in the background may refer to inmates!
by Michael Dryden 24 January 2026
24.01.2024 Male Marsh Harrier taking flight at the Wetland Centre. Image: MD Another wild day, mainly dry in a strong south-southwest wind, gusting to gale force at times. Seen from the shelter of the Wetland Centre this morning were 2 Shelduck , 57 Teal , 51 Shoveler , 14 Pochard , 3 Tufted Duck , a Snipe , a Little Grebe , 2 Grey Herons and 2 Stonechats while in the backfields were 250 Brent Geese , 43 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 70 Lapwings . On Kempt Tower pools were 6 Tufted Duck and in the car park, a male Stonechat. By La Tour Caree were 33 Ringed Plovers, 11 Dunlin and 4 Sanderlings . At Petit Port and Le Grouet were 51 Mediterranean Gulls , 9 Black-headed Gulls , a Great Black-backed Gull , 32 Turnstones , 3 Purple Sandpipers , 2 Grey Plovers , 38 Oystercatchers and 4 Shags . Seen earlier at Le Pulec were 12 Gannets , a Razorbill , 24 Shags , 4 Cormorants and 11 Great Black-backed Gulls , with c300 Oystercatchers roosting in Stinky Bay. At L'Etacq were 6 Curlews , 42 Oystercatchers , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 5 Great Black-backed Gulls and 5 Meadow Pipits . 13 Mediterranean Gulls and 7 Black-headed Gulls were roosting on the Airport football pitch and 450 Brent Geese plus a Curlew were in Beaumont Marsh. Seen between Beauport and Les Creux were a Redwing , a Firecrest , a Stonechat , 6 Ravens and 83 Herring Gulls were in a ploughed field there. Counts at La Sente included 280 Brent Geese, a Wigeon , 74 Redshanks , 4 Grey Herons , 3 Little Egrets , 14 Cattle Egrets , a Common Gull and a Mediterranean Gull . Below : Dramatic times at Le Pulec on this morning's high tide. Image: MD
More posts