Jersey Birds

05.06.2026 Black-winged Stilts continue to fend off passing predators from their chosen spot on St Ouen's Pond MD A cold and often cloudy day in a fresh westerly wind. A bird survey of St Ouen's Pond and surrounds today found a good range of species on offer, including 2 Black-winged Stilts , a singing Marsh Warbler , a singing Savi's Warbler , a Sedge Warbler , Reed Warblers and Cetti's Warblers feeding young, a Whitethroat , Blackcap , Chiffchaffs , 10 Tufted Ducks , 2 male Shovelers , pairs of Stonechats North of the Pond and in the backfields ( with young) also a Skylark . Over the Pond were 12 Swifts , 4 House Martins, 10 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . On the Scrape, the Shoveler pair were down to 7 young today while in the Scrape field were 9 Lapwings (5 young) and 2 Oystercatchers plus a Curlew in the backfields and another singing Skylark . In the Sandpits were 100 Swifts , 45 Sand Martins including fledged young, 15 House Martins , a Grey Heron , 62 Coot , 8 Tufted Ducks , Stonechats with 3 young, 2 pairs of Whitethroats , 3 pairs of Cetti's Warblers , Reed Warblers , 2 juvenile White Wagtails and 2 Choughs . A quiet start to the day at Corbiere saw 6 Manx Shearwaters , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 5 Common Scoters , 15 Guillemots , 38 Gannets , 4 Fulmars , 2 Kittiwakes , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Raven and a Marsh Harrier , in two hours. 3 Shelduck were at Petit Port again. Passing Grosnez were 2 Barnacle Geese , (probably those seen at the Pond recently), 2 Shelducks , several Guillemots , 2 Razorbills , Gannets , 4 Swifts , 2 Ravens and a Marsh Harrier , while at Plemont were a Swift , 5 Swallows , 6 Fulmars , 4 Oystercatchers and 3 Jackdaws . At Le Pulec were Shelducks , still with 2 young, 4 Little Egrets, 18 Oystercatchers , 4 Curlews , a Peregrine and a Raven . 2 summer-plumaged Cattle Egrets were at Beaumont Marsh, also a Buzzard, and at Le Hocq were 3 Kestrels . This evening, a flock of 35 Cattle Egrets was seen migrating north over St Ouen's Bay.

04.06.2026 An adult Gannet enjoying the wind strength today at Corbiere. MD A day of blustery showers and a strong and gusty (F6) west-southwest wind. On the Pond today were the 2 Black-winged Stilts , and at the Scrape were the 9 Lapwings ( 5 juveniles), 2 Shelduck and the 2 Oystercatchers which are trying again. Overhead were 15 Swifts , 10 House Martins , 20 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . Passing Corbiere this morning were 165 Balearic Shearwaters , 88 Manx Shearwaters , 7 Fulmars , 72 Gannets , 15 Guillemots , 41 Shag , 4 Kittiwakes , 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , mainly heading off to the West, 58 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Swallows , 4 Ravens and a Peregrine . 3 Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay, hopefully with a 4th bird sitting tight. At the other end of St Ouen's Bay, Shelduck with just 2 young were at Le Pulec, also a Curlew , while offshore were 40 Manx Shearwaters , 12 Balearic Shearwaters , 50 Guillemots and 45 Gannets . Extras for yesterday were singing Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler in a small reed bed near St Saviour's Hospital and a Grey Heron , 4 Tufted Ducks and 2 Swifts at Grands Vaux reservoir.

03.06.2026 A proud female Shoveler with her brood, on the Scrape today MD Another disturbed day, with periods of rain and strong southwest winds, feeling cold at a maximum 18c Despite the conditions, the Savi's Warbler was in song again this morning on the north side of St Ouen's Pond, where a Whitethroat , a singing Skylark , and 3 Stonechats were also present. On St Ouen's Pond were the 2 Black-winged Stilts , 3 male Shovelers , 14 Tufted Ducks , a Little Grebe , and feeding in the unpleasant conditions were 15 Swifts , 10 House Martins , 10 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . At and around the Scrape were one of the Black-winged Stilts feeding, 4 Shelducks , a family of Shovelers which included 8 chicks, 5 juvenile Lapwings , two of which were fledged plus 4 adult Lapwings paying close attention them, 2 Oystercatchers , but with no sign of their two chicks, a Grey Heron and another singing Skylark . Corbiere was much less busy than in recent days and in two hours, 30 Manx Shearwaters , 21 Balearic Shearwaters . 7 Guillemots , 14 Gannets , a Fulmar and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew by. A pair of Shelduck was in Petit Port Bay, also 65 Oystercatchers .

02.06.2026 A recent image of Shearwaters rafting off of Corbiere, with thanks to John Ovenden for the image JO A disturbed day with heavy overnight rain replaced by overcast conditions in an increasing west-southwest wind reaching a Force 5 this afternoon. On a positive note, little had changed at St Ouen's Pond today, meaning that the Savi's Warbler was still singing on the north side of the Pond and the pair of Black-winged Stilt were still present on the Pond itself. Also seen around the area were 2 Oystercatchers , a Whitethroat , good numbers of Reed Warblers , 5 Swifts and a few House Martins , Sand Martins and Swallows feeding there. At Le Pulec, Shelduck now have 4 young, always a risky business with a strong wind blowing. 3 Grey Seals were present there too. Passing a windy Corbiere from first light were 210 Manx Shearwaters, 104 Balearic Shearwaters , 15 Guillemots , 45 Gannets , 8 Fulmars , 4 Cormorants , 24 Shags , 2 Shelducks , a Summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull , 4 Sandwich Terns , 3 Kittiwakes , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 21 Great Black-backed Gulls . One Shelduck was visible in Petit Port Bay.

01.06.2026 Black-winged Stilt in hot pursuit of a passing Marsh Harrier at the Pond. Thanks go to Romano for the image RDC A fair to cloudy day with winds now firmly back in the southwest. The interest level remains high at St Ouen's Pond, with the 2 Black-winged Stilts still present and yesterday's Savi's Warbler singing again in the reeds on the north side of the Pond. Also on the Pond, Lapwings have two young juveniles, with 3 male Shovelers , 7 Tufted Ducks , 2 Oystercatchers , 6 Swifts , 4 House Martins , 5 Swallows , 3 Stonechats and a passing Peregrine also seen. A Skylark was singing to the North of the Pond where a Whitethroat and a male Stonechat were also present. A Dartford Warbler was seen on the walk alongside the Airport. Another 2 Swifts were flying over Plemont. A visit to Les Ecrehous saw 3 Manx Shearwaters , a Gannet and 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins en route, while on the reef were a Grey Plover, 7 Turnstones , 4 Whimbrels , a Little Egret , 3 Sandwich Terns , numerous Common Terns and 2 Rock Pipits . This morning's counts from Corbiere included 351 Manx Shearwaters , 50 Balearic Shearwaters , 34 Guillemots , a Razorbill , 10 Fulmars , 40 Gannets , 7 Common Scoters , 3 Kittiwakes , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 39 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Swallows . 4 Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay again. Below : Thanks again to Romano for this record shot of the Savi's Warbler at St Ouen's Pond. RDC

31.05.2026 It was a good day for shearwater movement along the south coast, with 460 seen from Corbiere in four hours this morning Thanks go to John Ovenden for this nice image of Manx and a Balearic Shearwater passing through St Ouen's Bay. JO A poor start to the day with overcast conditions and a little light rain in a westerly wind, becoming fine this afternoon. At St Ouen's Pond this morning were 2 Black-winged Stilts again, a Lapwing with 2 young juveniles, a Grey Heron , 12 Tufted Duck and 3 Shoveler , while in the reedbed on the north side of the Pond was a singing, but not visible, Savi's Warbler and in the willows there, a flock of c15 Long-tailed Tits - mainly young birds. Feeding overhead were 4 Swifts , 4 House Martins and a few Swallows and Sand Martins . On the Scrape was another family of 4 Lapwings and a family of 4 Oystercatchers . One of the Black-winged Stilts also paid a brief visit there. Seawatching from Corbiere was steady this morning with counts of 345 Manx Shearwaters, 118 Balearic Shearwaters , 10 Fulmars , 36 Gannets , 7 Guillemots , 2 Sandwich Terns , 2 Kittiwakes and a Shelduck . Reed Warblers were in song at Grands Vaux reservoir, while at Grouville Marsh Cetti's Warblers were feeding newly fledged young. A late record just to hand is of 2 Storm Petrels , seen from a boat in St Ouen's Bay on the 23rd May.

30.05.2026 An adult Lapwing over the Scrape today. Image: MD A cloudy and cool morning with a brighter afternoon in a northerly wind. At St Ouen's Pond, the 2 Black-winged Stilts were still present and very active. Lapwings have also been active in chasing off all comers for sometime, and the reason became apparent today with 2 half-sized juveniles appearing on the edge of the Pond, adding to the family at the Scrape which now have 3 juveniles showing. None are yet fledged though, so fingers are still firmly crossed. The Oystercatcher pair near the Scrape have also produced 2 chicks today. Also on the Pond were a pair of Shelduck , 2 male Shovelers , 4 Tufted Ducks , a Grey Heron and overhead, 4 Swifts . Skylarks were in song to the north of the Pond. Counts continue at Corbiere and today between sunrise and 9 am, recorded 148 Manx Shearwaters, 75 Balearic Shearwaters , 7 Guillemots , 22 Gannets , 45 Fulmars , 23 Shags , 2 Cormorants , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Kittiwakes , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 38 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Peregrine and a flock of 5 waders at great distance in the haze. 2 pairs of Shelducks were present in Petit Port Bay. Below : One of the young Lapwings which are currently on the Scrape. MD

29.05.2026 . Male Tufted Duck on the South Canal, in a shower of rain yesterday. MD A much cooler day as the westerlies return. Cloudy with a moderate northwest wind. At St Ouen's Pond, two Black-winged Stilts are still present, but elusive at times. Also on the Pond today were 3 male Shovelers , 7 Tufted Ducks , a Grey Heron and overhead, 4 Swifts . On the Scrape were 5 Lapwings including the young juvenile bird, and a Shelduck . North of the Pond was a Skylark carrying food for young, with another Skylark near to the Watersplash. On St Ouen's Beach this afternoon were 62 Great Black-backed Gulls , 17 Lesser Black-backed gulls and 42 Herring Gulls . At Le Pulec were 173 Herring Gulls and a Shelduck, and near Faulkner's Fisheries at L'Etacq were a further 84 Herring Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Little Egret . Shearwater numbers are increasing day on day at the moment, with counts of 156 Balearic Shearwaters and 25 Manx Shearwaters passing Corbiere in ninety minutes from Sunrise this morning. Also passing Corbiere were 12 Guillemots , 11 Fulmars , 30 Gannets , 2 Shelducks , 26 Shags , 3 Cormorants , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 24 Great Black-backed Gulls , also a Peregrine . A Grey Seal was feeding east of the Lighthouse too. A pair of Shelduck was in Petit Port again. At the Desalination Plant at La Rosiere were a 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls nests, 12 Herring Gull nests, Whitethroat , a Dartford Warbler , 50+ Crows , 2 Choughs and 7 Jackdaws . At Plemont this morning were a Razorbill , a Marsh Harrier, 4 Swifts , 8 Linnets , a pair of Dartford Warblers feeding 2 young, a Greenfinch with young, a Little Egret and a juvenile Raven . In St Catherine's Woods were a family of 4 Moorhens , Mallards with 9 new young, 10 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Firecrests , 2 Short-toed Treecreepers , 2 singing Song Thrushes and good numbers of both Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs . At a small reedbed in meadows by Grouville Church were 6 pairs of Reed Warblers , a Cetti's Warbler and a Marsh Harrier .

28.05.2026 With only a couple of pairs of Lapwings present and the usual predation, hope was almost gone for any young birds surviving this year - until today when one appeared, fairly well grown, on the Scrape and being protected by all four adults! Fingers crossed. Image: today's single juvenile in two different poses MD A slightly different day from the recent, with morning showers keeping the temperature to a mere 30c in a light easterly wind. While things are quiet around the Island with breeding in full swing, seabird numbers are slowly improving with counts from Corbiere this morning including 87 Balearic Shearwaters, 76 Manx Shearwaters , 5 Fulmars , a Common Scoter , a Shelduck , 15 Gannets , 17 Guillemots , 32 Shags , 7 Cormorants , 4 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Kittiwakes, 52 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, with 2 Ravens and 2 Swifts also seen. Off Plemont were 8 Razorbills , a Puffin carrying food, 7 Balearic Shearwaters and a Bottle-nosed Dolphin with a Raven , 2 Swifts and 8 Linnets also there. 2 Shelduck were at Petit Port. A Black-winged Stilt was seen briefly, dropping down onto St Ouen's Pond and on the Scrape at were 4 Lapwings guarding a juvenile bird, 4 Shelduck , 2 Oystercatchers , a Grey Heron , 5 Swifts and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Also at the Pond were 14 Tufted Ducks , 2 Grey Herons , 25 Reed Warblers , 2 Stonechats , and at Sunset Nurseries were a singing Cetti's Warbler , 6 pairs of Reed Warblers including 2 pairs collecting food. At Pontac was a pair of Shelduck and on the Parade in St Helier were White Wagtails feeding 2 juveniles.