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07.10.2025 Swallows were around in better numbers today, as the clear-out of Summer migrants continues. This one was pictured passing over Noirmont this morning. Image: MD
A clear day, as an anticyclone moves back in, and feeling warm at 19c in a light southerly wind.
An early search for the mystery marsh tern at St Ouen's Pond proved fruitless, with just 2 Little Grebes, 3 Teal, 16 Shovelers, 3 Water Rails and 2 Stonechats seen. Likewise, on the East of the Island, the Glossy Ibis was not located at Fauvic, with 3 Teal and 2 Swallows seen there.
Some steady visible migration past Noirmont included 611 Swallows, 67 House Martins, 11 Skylarks, 7 Song Thrushes, 8 arriving Blackbirds, 71 alba Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 340 Meadow Pipits, a Wheatear, 3 Stonechats, 318 Linnets, 41 Chaffinches, a Siskin, 135 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches, and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull. Also seen from Noirmont were 4 Red Admiral butterflies, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 7 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Choughs, 4 Jays, 12 Ravens and a few marauding parties of Magpies, with 50+ Crows over Portlelet. At Beauport were 3 Stonechats and at Beaumont Marsh were a Grey Wagtail, a White Wagtail and Goldcrest. 18 Redshanks were at St Aubin this morning.
In St Ouen's Bay, 45 Ringed Plovers were at Sands , 7 Grey Herons and 10 Little Egrets were at La Pulente and on the Scrape were 24 Linnets, a Stonechat, a Marsh Harrier bathing, a late Willow Warbler and 3 Clouded Yellow butterflies. An Arctic Skua was seen off Corbiere. At Les Landes were 6 Stonechats, 24 Meadow Pipits, 3 Buzzards, a Kestrel, 16 Choughs and another Clouded Yellow.
Around the South end of Grouville Marsh today were 20 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, a Firecrest, 10 Water Rails and 22 Cattle Egrets, while flying over there were 15 Meadow Pipits, 13 Swallows, 3 Siskins, a Chaffinch, 4 Song Thrushes, 2 Blackbirds, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Buzzards, 4 Ravens and 92 Jackdaws leaving a roost there, also a Clouded Yellow was seen there with another at La Rocque.. Behind Seymour were 16 Cattle Egrets and 2 Grey Herons, at Rue du Pont, La Rocque, were up to 300 Swallows on a wire, a Kestrel and nearby, a Whitethroat. In Robin Bay were 14 Little Egrets and 40 Oystercatchers and at Pontac were 18 Little Egrets and c100 Oystercatchers. In Grouville Bay, at the North end, were 17 Brent Geese, 29 Curlews and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits with a Great Crested Grebe in Queen's Valley and 23 Ravens, 9 Buzzards, a Marsh Harrier and 15 Swallows in flight behind Woodlands Apartments, also in Grouville Bay.
A Grey Heron was on Mont au Pretre, despite a lack of open water there, and a Grey Wagtail was at Grands Vaux.
Evening update: A visit to Les Ecrehous today saw a Water Rail ( the 3rd record for the reef), a Curlew, a Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Grey Herons, a Chiffchaff, 10+ Rock Pipits, and passing overhead, 6 Swallows, 12 Linnets and 10+ alba Wagtails. Butterflies included a Red Admiral and a Peacock and several Grey Seals were present too. At West Park this evening were 242 Brent Geese and seen at La Rocque this evening were 220 Sanderlings, 14 Redshanks, 37 Turnstones, 17 Grey Plovers, 2 Grey Herons and c250 Oystercatchers.
It is Harvest Moon time, with nocturnal migration normally at a reduced level, especially on clear nights, such as last night, due to the birds being more visible to predators. This image was taken pre-Dawn today in St Ouen's Bay. Image: MD
