Jersey Birds

13.10.2025 Today was the first "thrush" day this Autumn, including Fieldfares in numbers . This picture is from a previous year's arrival. Image: MD A cold feeling day, with overcast conditions in a fresh, sometimes strong east-northeast wind Visible migration over Noirmont included a Ring Ouzel, 4 Fieldfares , 18 Redwings , 7 Blackbirds and 21 Song Thrushes , also 312 Swallows , a Sand Martin , 8 House Martins , 4 Skylarks , 29 Starlings , a Grey Wagtail, 45 Pied Wagtails, 168 Meadow Pipits , a Wheatear , a Reed Bunting , 205 Chaffinches , 218 Linnets , 6 Greenfinches , a Brambling , 34 Goldfinches , 21 Woodpigeons , and a Cormorant . On the ground were 6 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs . 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern passed offshore and also there were 2 Peregrines , 2 Kestrels , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Buzzards , 4 Choughs , 4 Ravens and 30 Crows . 5 Redwings , 35 Fieldfares , 6 Stonechats and 3 Choughs were seen at Beauport. A Wheatear and 2 Stonechats were at Gorselands . Counts at Victoria Tower included 299 Swallows , 23 Song Thrushes , 6 Blackbirds , 419 Chaffinches , 8 Greenfinches , 176 Meadow Pipits, 7 Pied Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails, 6 Chiffchaffs , a Goldcrerst , a Blackcap , a Cattle Egret and a Grey Heron . At or passing over Ouaisne from mid-morning were 52 Fieldfares , 26 Redwings , 8 Song Thrushes , 70 Chiffchaffs , 10 Robins , 2 Firecrests , 10 Goldcrests , 30 Blue Tits , 17 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Grey Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 25 Chaffinches , a Brambling and a Sparrowhawk and over Les Creux were 4 Lapwings moving East. In Les Ormes Valley from early were 15 Song Thrushes , 2 Swallows , 40 Chiffchaffs , 12 Blackcaps , 22 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Firecrests , 15 Goldcrests , 4 Skylarks , 2 Bullfinches , a Siskin , 30 Chaffinches , 6 Meadow Pipits and a Marsh Harrier . At Sands in St Ouen's Bay were 11 Meadow Pipits and 2 Grey Herons , while on the Pond were a Wigeon , a female Pintail , 25 Shovelers and 2 Grey Herons . 455 Brent Geese were at St Aubin and 300 Black-headed Gulls were at Le Dicq. Seen at La Rocque were 39 Curlews , 37 Turnstones , 13 Redshanks , 9 Grey Plovers and a Bar-tailed Godwit and at Causie Lane in St Clement were 3 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron . 46 Cattle Egrets were by Holmegrown. 2 Swallows were ween at Le Bourg. A visit to the Zoo saw 7 Swallows , a Short-toed Treecreeper, a Firecrest , a Goldcrest , a Long-tailed Tit , a Blackcap , a Grey Wagtail , a Chiffchaff , a Water Rail, a Blackbird , a Siskin and a Chaffinch . This afternoon, a trickle of Swallows , Meadow Pipits and a Grey Heron were over Red House heading towards Noirmont.

12.10.2025 A local resident Kestrel at Noirmont this week. Image: MD A cloudy morning and a fair to fine afternoon in a moderate easterly wind (15c) Despite the searches this morning, the Bay-breasted Warbler has not been located today, and given last night's clear conditions, it is quite possible that it has now moved on. Seen at Ouaisne were a Kingfisher , 2 Pied Wagtails , 2 Skylarks , 30 Swallows , a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Firecrests , several Long-tailed Tits and 5 Chiffchaffs . A busier day for migrants at Noirmont included 345 Swallows , 2 Sand Martins , 4 House Martins , 5 Skylarks , a Blackbird , 803 Linnets , 203 Chaffinches , 7 Goldfinches , 265 Meadow Pipits , 33 alba Wagtails , 12 Woodpigeons , 2 Peregrines , 2 Sparrowhawks , a Kestrel , 8 Stonechats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 2 Choughs and 2 Ravens , also 2 Red Admirals . At Petit Port were 39 Curlews , 3 Turnstones , a Kingfisher , 147 Oystercatchers and 12 Little Egrets and between First Tower and Bel Royal in St Aubin's Bay were 82 Brent Geese . A Kingfisher was at Le Perquage, Beaumont and seen from the Wetland Centre at St Ouen's Pond were 22 Shovelers , a Mediterranean Gull , 2 Stonechats , 2 Wheatears and 20 alba Wagtails . In Robin Bay at La Rocque were 42 Grey Plovers, a Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstones , 66 Oystercatchers , 3 Wheatears , a Pied Wagtail and 10 Swallows and a further 5 Swallows were over Le Bourg Slip. By the Grouville Parish Depot were 7 Cattle Egrets and a Swallow was at Woodlands Farm. Elsewhere, A Kingfisher was seen in Rue de la Scelleterie in St Lawrence, there was a report of a late Honey Buzzard from La Rue de la Douaire in St John and at Le Don Laurens were 14 Grey Herons , 11 Little Egrets , 2 Swallows , 200 Linnets and 7 Ravens . This evening, on Queen's Valley reservoir were 57 Tufted Duck, another Kingfisher , 3 Ravens , 7 Firecrests , 11 Cormorants , 289 Herring Gulls, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Heron and in St Ouen's Bay were 36 Mediterranean Gulls .

10.10.2025 Yesterday's "mega" is now confirmed as a first winter Bay-breasted Warbler , a first record for the Channel Islands. Thanks go to David Buxton who first found it and ringed it at Ouaisne, also providing this image of it in the hand. DB A grey day today, under the anticyclone, feeling cold in a light northeast wind (15c) At Ouaisne early on today, the Bay-breasted Warble r was seen and heard at the same location in trees at the back of the common. Also present there were 35 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps , 4 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , 16 Long-tailed Tits , 5 Siskins , a Bullfinch , 5 Song Thrushes , a Grey Wagtail, an alba Wagtail , 10 Robins , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and flying over, a Curlew and 2 Ravens . Seen at a very grey Noirmont were a Brambling , 16 Chaffinches , 24 Linnets , 21 Goldfinches , 108 Meadow Pipits , 8 alba Wagtails , 2 Swallows , 7 Song Thrushes , 3 Blackbirds , 4 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a passing Brent Goose , a Cormorant , a Sparrowhawk , a Marsh Harrier , a Grey Heron and a Red Admiral . A Great White Egret was standing in a field near Grouville Church this morning, 47 Cattle Egrets were opposite Holme Grown in Grouville and a further 7 Cattle Egrets were at Mont a l'Abbe. In St Aubin's Bay were 320 Brent Geese , 2 Grey Herons and 15 Linnets and at beaumont Marsh were 7 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtails, 2 Firecrests , a Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker . In Grouville Bay were 18 Turnstones , 110 Black-headed Gulls were at Seymour, 8 alba Wagtails were at Le Hurel, and 4 Ravens plus 2 Chiffchaffs were at La Sente. Near La Rocque, 16 Grey Plovers and 50 Oystercatchers were in Robin Bay while at La Lourderie were 15 Grey Herons , 3 Swallows and a Marsh Harrier . In St Ouen's Bay, 43 Ringed Plovers were at Sands, 12 Little Egrets , a Grey Heron , 150 Oystercatchers and 43 Cormorants were at Le Pulec and on Mont Matthieu were 25+ Swallows , a Chough , a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard . A garden in Vallee des Vaux this afternoon held 25 Chiffchaffs , 6 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests and 14 Long-tailed Tits , with a Marsh Harrier flying over too. Evening update: In the Sandpits this evening were 73 Tufted Duck , 3 Pochard , and 12 Little Grebes and at Kempt Tower was a Wheatear . Another Wheatear was seen in Grouville Bay. Below : Thanks go to all who assisted in confirming the identification of the Bay-breasted Warbler , which is seen here in a screen grab of a video of it's release by David. Image: MD

09.10.2025 A surprise arrival in ringing nets at Ouaisne this morning was this juvenile American warbler sp . The jury is still out on it's identification but seems to be coming down in favour of Bay-breasted Warbler . If confirmed it will be the first record of the species in the Channel Islands. Image: MD A fair to cloudy day in a light northwesterly wind. As well as the star of the show above, also seen at Ouaisne were 35 Chiffchaffs , 30 Blackcaps , 6 Firecrests , 3 Siskins , a Song Thrush , 5 Grey Heron , 10 Robins , and flying over, 2 Choughs , 2 Ravens , 3 Skylarks and a few Chaffinches. Visible migrants seen at Noirmont included 52 Swallows , 5 House Martins , 6 Skylarks , 5 Song Thrushes , 5 Blackbirds , a fall of up to 25 Stonechats , 3 Wheatears , 2 Grey Wagtails , a Yellow Wagtail , 75 alba Wagtails , a Grey Heron , 609 Linnets , 56 Chaffinches , 5 Greenfinches , 42 Goldfinches , 8 Siskins , 296 Meadow Pipits , 2 Sparrowhawks and 9 Red Admiral butterflies. Passing Victoria Tower early were 13 Song Thrushes , 22 Swallows , 65 Chaffinches , 29 Goldfinches , 21 Siskins , 8 Greenfinches , 49 Meadow Pipits , 5 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail, a Blackcap , 11 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests and 2 Grey Herons. At La Rocque were 25 Grey Plovers , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 236 Oystercatchers , 10 Turnstones , 6 Sandwich Terns , 185 Black-headed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls and a Wheatear . 35 Little Egrets were between Pontac and Rocqueberg. At Le Hurel were 363 Brent Geese and 5 Great Crested Grebes . At Beauport were 13 Stonechats , 2 Wheatears , 4 Pied Wagtails , 50 Meadow Pipits , 2 Skylarks , 2 Dartford Warblers and a Great Spotted woodpecker . On the breakwater at Elizabeth Castle during the high tide were c 300 Oystercatchers and 18 Great Black-backed Gulls . In St Ouen's Bay were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 21 Great Black-backed Gulls. Further images of today's warbler, showing the wing formula and head pattern. When released it flew off strongly before settling in a nearby tree and spending some time preening in semi cover MD

08.10.2025 Wheatears are becoming scarcer as October moves on. This one put in an appearance at Noirmont today Image: MD A fair day with light east-northeasterly winds (18c) There were less migrants to be seen at Noirmont today, but still a steady trickle passing through. Counts included 74 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 5 Song Thrushes , 4 Blackbirds , the first Reed Bunting of the Autumn there, 225 Meadow Pipits , 17 alba Wagtails , 3 Grey Wagtails , 376 Linnets , 56 Chaffinches , 15 Greenfinches , 49 Goldfinches , a Wheatear , 3 Stonechats , 94 Woodpigeons , a Chiffchaff , a Firecrest , 2 Choughs , 8 Jackdaws , 2 Ravens , a Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk , while passing offshore were 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Gannets , 2 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull. Butterflies passing included 4 Red Admirals and a Clouded Yellow . At St Aubin were a Whimbrel , a Curlew , a Little Egret and 2 Grey Herons, and 2 Wheatears and 2 Ravens were on Elizabeth Castle. In St Ouen's Bay Sandpits were 65 Tufted Ducks, 20 Little Grebes, 3 Pochard , a Little Egret and 19 Cormorants. In the St Helier Marina this evening were a Peregrine , also 42 alba Wagtails at a roost. Seen at the Wetland centre were 5 Teal, 6 Shovelers, a Wheatear, and 2 Stonechats , on Mont Matthieu were a Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaffs , and in Les Ormes Valley were 4 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests , 15 Chiffchaffs , 4 Blackcaps , 2 Bullfinches and 2 Ravens . At Ouaisne were 12 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests and 3 Blackcaps . On Grouville Common were 6 Cirl Buntings , 11 Linnets , 2 Blackbirds and 2 Goldcrests , while at La Sente were 14 Grey Herons , 3 Long-tailed Tits and 4 Ravens . 6 Cattle Egrets were in Rue du Puits and in Rue du Huquet in St Martin were 23 Cattle Egrets and a Sparrowhawk . At Bouley Bay were a Peregrine and a Little Egret . 3 alba Wagtails were at La Rocque.

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

06.10.2025 The much overlooked Dunnock , is actually a very smart looking birds if seen well. This one posed at Noirmont recently. Image: MD An overcast day, feeling cooler in a moderate west-northwest wind (15c) Brent Geese numbers are increasing daily at the moment, with 347 in Grouville Bay and a further 210 seen in St Aubin's Bay today. Other birds seen in St Aubin's Bay included 2 Curlews , 2 Grey Herons, 30 Linnets and a Raven . Numbers of common migrants on the move were on the up today, and seen at Noirmont were 119 Swallows , 2 House Martins , 28 Skylarks , 1,268 Meadow Pipits , 81 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 1,110 Linnets , 4 Greenfinches , 159 Goldfinches , 3 Siskins , 27 Chaffinches , a Grey Heron , 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , also 4 Red Admirals . On the ground, apart from the many Meadow Pipits coming and going, it was quiet with 2 Stonechats , 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Dartfotd Warblers of note, and a Peregrine plus a juvenile Marsh Harrier and 2 Kestrels in the air. Seen from the South end of Grouville Marsh were 45 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 36 Siskins , 2 Bullfinches , 6 Water Rails , 3 Marsh Harriers , a Sparrowhawk , 86 Jackdaws and 2 Ravens . Flying over there, were 3 Chaffinches , 20 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtails and a Skylark and in the fields behind La Rocque were 4 Chiffchaffs , a Stonechat , 8 Long-tailed Tits , and a Firecrest , while overflying were 62 Swallows , 18 Meadow Pipits , 5 Linnets , a Skylark and a Grey Heron and at La Rocque were 5 Pied Wagtails , 2 Swallows and 4 Rock Pipits . In Grouville Bay were 19 Curlews , 4 Bar-tailed Godwits , 3 Grey Plovers , 10 Sanderlings , 7 Great Crested Grebes and 14 Little Egrets . Cattle Egrets scattered around the East side of the Island included 31 near Holme Grown, 4 behind Seymour, 3 at Le Catillon and another 2 at Le Pres Manor. In St Ouen's Bay Sandpits were 29 Tufted Duck , 4 Pochard and 17 Little Grebes , while on or around the Pond were 14 Shovelers , 9 Teal , a Little Grebe , a Lapwing , a Wheatear , a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Stonechats . Late evening update : Yesterday's marsh tern sp reappeared at St Ouen's Pond at Dusk and will be looked for again this morning. Also at the Pond this evening were a Reed Warbler , 5 Chiffchaffs , 5 Cetti's Warblers , a Reed Bunting, 4 Water Rails , 2 Stonechats, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 alba Wagtails and 12 Marsh Harriers . At La Sente were 14 Grey Herons, 9 Ravens and 15 alba Wagtails and at La Rocque were 14 Grey Plovers , 2 Redshanks , 23 Turnstones , 3 Curlews , 120 Oystercatchers and large numbers of gulls flying off to roost. Yesterday evening, on Val de la Mar reservoir were 4 Barnacle Geese, and at Noirmont were 6 Swallows and a House Martin .

05.10.2025 Swallows are at a premium at the moment, given the weather of the last week. This one is seen passing Noirmont. Image: MD A fair to cloudy day with a fresh to strong west-northwest wind. The Glossy Ibis remained at Fauvic for another day today and Cattle Egrets included 3 at Grouville Marsh and 4 near Holme Grown in Grouville. On St Ouen's Pond this evening were a Black Tern , 32 Shovelers and 12 Teal . Seawatching at Corbiere this morning, following yesterday's blasting winds, saw 103 Balearic Shearwaters , 6 Manx Shearwaters , 45 Gannets , 2 Guillemots , 6 Razorbills , 19 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Peregrines , while a similar watch at Grosnez saw 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Manx Shearwaters, 49 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 102 Gannets , 12 Cormorants , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 31 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull , a Kittiwake and a Mediterranean Gull, also 4 alba Wagtails and another 2 Peregrines . A late morning visit to Noirmont saw 13 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 420 Meadow Pipits , 23 alba Wagtails , 88 Linnets , 2 Goldfinches and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the move. At Beauport were 20 Meadow Pipits, 9 Pied Wagtails , and a Sparrowhawk . A Wheatear was in the car park at Le Braye in st Ouen's Bay, and 6 Swallows flew over there too. 6 Pochard were in the Sandpits. In the Zoo today were a Kingfisher , a Grey Wagtail and a Water Rail and in Vallee des Vaux were 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , 2 Short-toed Treecreepers with 2 Grey Wagtails, a Siskin and a Raven flying over.  In Beaumont Marsh was a Stonechat and at the Happy Hens were 7 Ravens and a juvenile Marsh Harrier.

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