Jersey Birds

06.09.2026 Two juvenile Mute Swans over Noirmont this morning MD A fair start, then showers as a front moved north, becoming fair again and very warm at 28c in a south-southeast wind. A different selection of species was on offer today as time moves on. Seen at Noirmont were 2 juvenile Mute Swans arriving high from the East, 4 Pintails , a flock of 16 high flying Herons , a Snipe , 108 Yellow Wagtails , 4 White Wagtails , 52 House Martins , 42 Swallows , a Whinchat , 3 Wheatears , a Stonechat , 2 Willow Warblers , 6 Dartford Warblers, 2 Blackcaps , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Peregrine , 2 Kestrels , a Sparrowhawk , 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers , 3 Buzzards , 2 Ravens , 3 Jackdaws and offshore, 13 Sandwich Terns , 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 17 Gannets . At Beauport this evening were 3 Swifts . With widescale reports of large numbers of Purple Herons moving over the low countries, this morning's flock off Noirmont, another V of 19 Herons over St Catherine's and a single bird over Samares today, may well have involved some Purple Herons amongst them, but too far away to be sure. A wide list from St Ouen's Pond this morning, included 70 Swallows , 3 Sand Martins , 3 Willow Warblers , 3 Blackcaps , 8 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 4 Water Rails , 2 Grey Herons , a Snipe , 5 Green Sandpipers , 4 Common Sandpipers , 6 Shovelers , 8 Teal , 2 Kestrels , a Whinchat , a Wheatear and a Cattle Egret . Another 3 Cattle Egrets flew over St Helier, also 37 House Martins and a Sparrowhawk . In St Ouen's Bay were a Juvenile Caspian Gull , a Yellow-legged Gull, 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 22 Great Black-backed Gulls . 54 Sandwich Terns were at Le Port this evening. At Trinity Manor this morning was a Barn Owl and at Grands Vaux this afternoon were 2 Green Sandpipers , 4 Common Sandpipers , 3 Teal , a Kingfisher and a Grey Heron . A Bullfinch was in song at Samares this morning.

05.09.2026 Wrynecks have been very scarce so far this Autumn, so this beauty was very welcome at St Ouen's Pond this morning. Image courtesy of David Buxton. A fine and clear day, becoming warm this afternoon in moderate north-westerly winds. On the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn this morning were the Wryneck , 15 Reed Warblers , 20 Sedge Warblers , 8 Willow Warblers , 8 Chiffchaffs , 6 Blackcaps , 8 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Water Rails , 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Sandpipers , 6 Shovelers , and a Grey Heron . A possible Caspian Gull was on the Pond, also 2 Little Grebes , a Common Sandpiper , and overhead, 30 Swallows , 15 House Martin s, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Choughs . Feeding in the backfields there later, were 100+ Swallows and 10 Chaffinches . At the Scrape were a Whinchat , a Wheatear , a family of 4 Stonechats , 7 Linnets , 5 Stock Doves and 2 Meadow Pipits . On Mont Matthieu were a Whinchat and a Willow Warbler . Some signs of visible migration via Noirmont this morning included 404 Swallows , 40 Sand Martins , 6 House Martins , 6 Yellow Wagtails, 3 White Wagtails , a Meadow Pipit , and passing through were 35 Wheatears , 4 Whitethroats and a Swallowtail butterfly. Offshore passage involved 447 Sandwich Terns , 18 Mediterranean Gulls , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Manx Shearwaters and 45 Gannets . Local birds at Noirmont included a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , 7 Buzzards and 5 Dartford Warblers . On Beauport Common were 5 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats . At Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 150 Linnets , 45 Swallows and 8 Stonechats . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 3 Green Sandpipers , 6 Common Sandpipers and a Teal , with another Wheatear seen at Augres, Trinity.

04.09.2026 Among the many gulls with colour-rings on at the moment, is this locally ringed Herring Gull , in St Ouen's Bay. It was ringed as a nestling at Noirmont in 1998 by the late Bob Burrow. Although the plastic ring is now delaminated, the metal one is faring well. 28 years old ! Thanks to Romano for the picture, probably the last survivor of Bob's birds. An overcast to cloudy day in a fresh to strong south-southwest wind, still very mild at 22c. Although very little visible migration was taking place at Noirmont today, seabirds were passing there in good numbers. Seen through this morning were 4 Arctic Skuas, 288 Balearic Shearwaters , 7 Manx Shearwaters, 84 Gannets , 44 Sandwich Terns, a Mediterranean Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 10 Great Black-backed Gulls . 5 Swallows , a Wheatear and 3 Robins were also seen. In St Ouen's Bay were 2 juvenile Caspian Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull , 155 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 130 Great Black-backed Gulls , 25 Mediterranean Gulls and 60 Sandwich Terns . On St Ouen's Pond were a Little Grebe and a Common Sandpiper and roosting infields behind the Pond were 105 Great Black-backed Gulls . On the Scrape, which is rapidly drying out again, were 13 Stock Doves, a Stonechat and 8 Swallows flying overhead. At Petit Port were 34 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 3 Common Sandpipers , 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Sandwich Tern s, 39 Great Black-backe d Gulls , a Yellow-legged Gull , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Seal . In St Aubin's Bay, 150+ Oystercatchers , a Grey Heron and 16 Curlews were at Elizabeth Castle, a Little Egret was in La Collette Marina and a Gannet was fishing in the Bay. A Jay , scarce of late, was seen on Mont Millais. Seen from Seymour, in Grouville Bay, were 19 Sanderlings , 4 Dunlin , 6 Turnstones , 17 Ringed Plovers , 2 Sandwich Terns , and a Peregrine chasing the waders, while at Grouville Marsh were 4 Cattle Egrets and a Raven . At La Sente were 22 Grey Herons and at Grands Vaux reservoir, also low on water now, were 3 Green Sandpipers , 4 Common Sandpipers and 2 Teal .

03.09.2026 Another colour-ringed bird, this time Mediterranean Gull white 3FJ8, one of our regular wintering birds at Petit Port. MD An overcast but dry day in a fresh west-southwest wind. A bumper day for seabirds, passing Corbiere, included 342 Balearic Shearwaters , 12 Manx Shearwaters , 205 Gannets , 3 Fulmars , 515 Sandwich Terns , 53 Mediterranean Gulls , 140 Lesser Blackbacked Gulls , 120 Great Black-backed Gulls , 13 Black-headed Gulls , 20 Shag , 10 Cormorants , 145 Herring Gulls , also 2 Turnstones , a Peregrine , 4 Wheatears and 7 Swallows . In Petit Port Bay were 103 Sandwich Terns , 26 Curlews , 55 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Sandpiper and a Turnstone . At St Ouen's Pond were a Hobby chasing dragonflies, 6 Teal , 2 Shovelers , a Green Sandpiper , 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear . In St Ouen's Bay were 6 Caspian Gulls , 12 Yellow-legged Gulls , 288 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 117 Great Black-backed Gulls , 67 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Sandpiper , and 32 Sandwich Terns . Near La Tour Carre were 14 Ringed Plovers , with a Wheatear seen at Le Pulec. At Grouville Marsh from Dawn were 4 Cattle Egrets , a Common Gull, 12 Willow Warblers , 10 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps and 2 Reed Warblers . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Green Sandpipers , and 5 Common Sandpipers . At St Aubin were 13 Redshanks and 5 Little Egrets and on Mont Millais were 7 Swallows and 10 Long-tailed Tits .

02.09.2026 Colour-ringed birds continue to appear on the Island. This Sandwich Tern ( Red HL2)was ringed in Belgium, but breeds in the Netherlands. It was seen at Petit Port today, and was also recorded at the same location, at the same time last year. MD A fair morning, becoming cloudy this afternoon, with a moderate south-southwest wind. Seen on the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn were 500 Swallows , 15 Sand Martins , 60 Yellow Wagtails out of a roost, a Barn Owl , 30 Sedge Warblers , 8 Reed Warblers , 4 Willow Warblers , 5 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps , 8 Robins , 5 Marsh Harriers, 3 Teal , a Kingfisher, a Green Sandpiper , and 3 Common Sandpipers . Flying over were 2 Dunlin , a Greenshank , a Snipe , a Raven , 2 Choughs , a pale-phase Buzzard and this afternoon, a Hobby . At the Scrape were 3 Yellow Wagtails , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Swallows and 2 Meadow Pipits , also the 3 Bar-headed Geese that have been around the area for the last few days. In and around the Sandpits were a Short-eared Owl , a Tree Pipit , 55 Tufted Ducks , 4 Pochard , 2 Great Crested Grebes and 14 Little Grebes . In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 3 juvenile Caspian Gulls , 12 Yellow-legged Gulls , 376 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 215 Great Black-backed Gulls , 45 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Gull , 36 Sandwich Terns and 3 Ringed Plovers . At Noirmont this morning were 2 Common Redstarts , a Whinchat , a Wheatear , a Whitethroat , a Willow Warbler , and a Chiffchaff , while flying over were a Grey Heron , 62 Swallows , a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 18 Linnets , with 3 Balearic Shearwaters , 29 Gannets , 3 Sandwich Terns and 19 Mediterranean Gulls offshore. At Petit Port were 56 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Sandwich Terns , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Great Black-backed Gulls, a small number of Curlews and 7 Little Egrets . At St Catherine's early on were 2 Firecrests , a Short-toed Treecreeper , several families of both Great and Blue Tits , 13 House Martins , 6 Swallows and 2 Sparrowhawks . At Grands Vaux were 2 Teal , a Grey Heron , 7 Common Sandpipers and 3 Green Sandpipers and in Vallee des Vaux were 3 Firecrests , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , a Willow Warbler and 21 Long-tailed Tits . A Sparrowhawk was on Mont Millais. Yesterday evening, at St Ouen's Pond were a Barn Owl , 500 Swallows , 15 Sand Martins and 60 Yellow Wagtails , while at St John's Manor was a Barn Owl with another Barn Owl seen at Trinity Manor.

01.09.2026 A recent image of a Black Tern resting on a pot marker off the west coast. Thanks for the great image go to John A fair day with some high cloud and a westerly wind (21c) There was a good arrival of migrants overnight. At Noirmont this morning were 10 Wheatears , 2 Whinchats , 5 Common Redstarts , 2 Stonechats , a Spotted Flycatchers , 9 Whitethroats , 15 Willow Warblers , a Chiffchaff , and 2 Blackcaps . Passing overhead were 19 Tree Pipits , 18 Yellow Wagtails , 3 White Wagtails , 108 Swallows , 70 Sand Martins , 2 House Martins , a Marsh Harrier and 8 Ringed Plovers . Also in the area were a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 5 Buzzards , another Marsh Harrier , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 3 Dartford Warblers and 3 Ravens , also a Swallowtail and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Passing offshore were 4 Balearic Shearwaters , 9 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 12 Sandwich Terns . Seen at Beauport were 2 Tree Pipits, a Whitethroat and a Stonechat . Around St Ouen's Pond from first light this morning were a fall of Sedge Warblers overnight, with 55 counted, 10 Reed Warblers , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Willow Warblers , 3 Blackcaps , 8 Chiffchaffs , a Wheatear , 2 Stonechats , a Spotted Flycatcher , 20 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Teal , a Shoveler , 3 Water Rails , a Grey Heron, a Common Sandpiper , a Green Sandpiper , a pale-phase Buzzard , 4 Marsh Harriers , 80 Swallows , 35 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins . 2 Wheatears were at the Scrape. At Le Pulec were 190 Oystercatchers , 36 Curlews , 15 Little Egrets and several hundred gulls offshore. A walk round at Les Landes saw 31 Swallows , 6 White Wagtails , 30 Meadow Pipits , 5 Stonechats , 9 Wheatears , 9 Linnets and a Raven . In Vallee des Vaux were 10 Firecrests , 3 Willow Warblers , 2 Blackcaps , 6 Chiffchaffs and a Peregrine in flight. At Grands Vaux reservoir were 4 Green Sandpipers , 5 Common Sandpipers and a Teal . Yesterday evening, on the North side of St Ouen's Pond were a Common Sandpiper , 3 Reed Warblers , 250 Swallows , 5 Sand Martins and 5 Marsh Harriers . In a field west of The Windmill were 900 Herring Gulls , and small numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls .

31.08.2026 Adult and juvenile Sandwich Terns at Petit Port this morning. MD A day of strong and gusty west-northwest winds, with the odd heavy shower for good measure. Some lively passage past Corbiere in the gusty conditions, included 229 Balearic Shearwaters , 31 Manx Shearwaters , 136 Gannets , 26 Sandwich Terns , 163 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls , 250 Herring Gulls, mainly juveniles, 80 Mediterranean Gulls , 21 Shags and 3 Cormorants . In Petit Port Bay were 63 Mediterranean Gulls , 16 Black-headed Gulls , 29 Sandwich Terns , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls , 27 Curlews , a Little Egret and a juvenile Grey Heron . On St Ouen's Pond were 2 Little Grebes , a Tufted Duck, a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper , 15+ Swallows , 10 House Martins and 10 Sand Martins . The Scrape now has a good amount of water on it, so just waiting for the birds now! Seen there this morning were a Common Sandpiper , a Wheatear and a White Wagtail , also 3 Clouded Yellow butterflies. In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , 65 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 50 Great Black-backed Gulls , 108 Sandwich Terns a Common Sandpiper, 20 roosting Ringed Plovers and 60+ Starlings . At Noirmont were 5 Whinchats , 4 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats . At La Rocque were 280 Sandwich Terns , 40 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Turnstones , 8 Little Egrets , 2 White Wagtails and a Wheatear . Yesterday evening, in Grouville Bay were 11 Sanderlings , 20 Ringed Plovers and a female Greenland Wheatear .  Thanks again to Jo Bramley for her video of a Green Sandpiper at Grands Vaux JB

30.08.2026 Gulls with colour rings on are proliferating on the Island at the moment. This Mediterranean Gull was a new bird for us, preening at Petit Port after a long flight from Hungary! MD A cloudy morning was followed by a front carrying heavy rain this afternoon, which cleared through quickly. Winds were from the Southwest. In Grouville Bay, late morning, were 6 Whimbrels , 60 Ringed Plovers , 12 Turnstones , 17 Sanderlings , 7 Dunlin and 120 Sandwich Terns , while at La Rocque were 12 Little Egrets , 45 Black-headed Gulls , 79 Sandwich Terns and 4 Turnstones . At La Sente were 22 Grey Herons , 32 Black-headed Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a White Wagtail and 2 Ravens . On Grands Vaux reservoir were 3 Green Sandpipers, 8 Common Sandpipers , a Kingfisher , a Grey Heron and 2 Bullfinches and at Sorel were 15 Swallows , 2 Stonechats , a Willow Warbler , 4 Buzzards , 2 Ravens and 26 Choughs . A Wheatear was seen on a roof near to Pontac Little was moving overhead at Noirmont this morning, with just 2 Yellow Wagtails and 9 Swallows seen, also a Wheatear on the ground, but offshore were 82 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Manx Shearwaters , 116 Gannets , 68 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 15 Great Black-backed Gulls, 150 Herring Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Grey Herons , with a Peregrine , 6 Ravens and 2 Buzzards on the headland. On St Ouen's Pond were 4 Teal 8 Shovelers , 7 Tufted Ducks , 22 Black-headed Gulls , 30 Swallows , 5 Sand Martins and 3 House Martins and in St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 3 juvenile Caspian Gulls , 60 Sandwich Terns and a Common Sandpiper . In Petit Port Bay on the falling tide were 91 Mediterranean Gulls , 36 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Common Sandpipers. Yesterday afternoon, a flock of 11 Ravens was at Sorel. Below : This Marsh Harrier was picture in urban St Brelade yesterday, with thanks to Stephen de Gruchy for the image.

29.08.2026 Adult and juvenile Firecrests being ringed today. Many thanks to David Buxton for the images. A morning of much needed rain, becoming drier this afternoon in a strong and gusty westerly wind. Seabirds passing Noirmont this morning in the pouring rain, included 81 Balearic Shearwaters , 40 Manx Shearwaters , a Guillemot , a Fulmar , 77 Gannets , 43 Sandwich Terns , 95 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 23 Great Black-backed Gulls and 6 Mediterranean Gulls, with a Grey Seal close in below the headland. Just 3 Swallows headed off and a Chiffchaff was singing strongly there. On St Ouen's Pond was another Black Tern , 21 Black-headed Gulls , 3 Teal , a Shoveler , 7 Tufted Ducks , a Yellow Wagtail , 50 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins and 3 House Martins . At Petit Port were 60 Mediterranean Gulls, 10 Great Black-backed Gulls , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 6 Sandwich Terns , one Common Tern , 4 Turnstones and 5 Curlews . 20 Curlews and 15 Little Egrets were at Le Pulec. In a very windy St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 9 Caspian Gulls , 6 Yellow-legged Gulls , 275 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 68 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull, 44 Mediterranean Gulls , 15 Dunlin , a Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plovers . At La Sente this morning were 12 Grey Herons , 75 Mediterranean Gulls , 124 Black-headed Gulls , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls and 31 Herring Gulls . On Grands Vaux reservooir were 2 Teal , 2 Green Sandpipers and 5 Common Sandpipers , and in Vallee des Vaux were 8 Firecrests including a juvenile bird, a Goldcrest , 5 Chiffchaffs , a Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcaps . Evening update : On a day full of gulls , in the backfields of St Ouen's Pond this evening were 6 Caspian Gulls, 3 Y ellow-legged Gulls , 377 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 254 Great Black-backed Gulls , and a Common Gull and at Petit Port were 13 Caspian Gulls , 4 Yellow-legged Gulls , 380 Herring Gulls, 123 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 22 Great Black-backed Gulls , a record count of Caspian Gulls (19) for the Island between these two sites.In Grouville Bay were 110 Sandwich Terns and a Wheatear .