Jersey Birds

10.10.2026 A Song Thrush at Noirmont this morning. MD Another cold-feeling day in a fresh west-northwest wind, cloudy but mainly dry. Firstly, the death of Roger Long has been announced today. He has been a leading light in the Societe Jersiaise, and in the Ornithology Section in particular for over sixty years, and his expertise and knowledge in the field of Natural History in Jersey were second to none. We will all miss him dearly. Rest in peace Roger, I hope my punctuation is all correct!! In Grouville Bay were 13 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Knot , 168 Sanderlings , 16 Dunlin , 11 Grey Plovers , 5 Curlews , 73 Oystercatchers , 175 Brent Geese , 7 Little Egrets , 2 Sandwich Terns , 7 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls. At La Rocque today were a Golden Plover , 35 Grey Plovers , 3 Redshanks , 230 Oystercatchers , 23 Ringed Plovers , 7 Dunlin , 11 Turnstones , 9 Grey Herons , 19 Little Egrets and 2 Sandwich Terns and in Robin Bay were a Knot , 7 Turnstones , 3 Grey Plovers and 36 Oystercatchers . Offshore from Noirmont this morning were a Brent Goose , 21 Balearic Shearwaters , 36 Black-headed Gulls , 15 Mediterranean Gulls , 17 Gannets , 4 Guillemots , 6 Razorbills and a Lesser Black-backed Gull . Passing over Noirmont were 3 Song Thrushes , 70 Meadow Pipits , 4 alba Wagtails , 61 Linnets , 13 Chaffinches , 10 Greenfinches , 10 Goldfinches and 53 Woodpigeons . Also seen were a Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 9 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , 2 Dartford Warblers , a Raven and 2 Choughs . At St Ouen's Pond were a Grey Heron , 10 Shovelers , 12 Teal , a Marsh Harrier and 8 Goldfinches . In St Ouen's bay on the low tide were 39 Great Black-backed Gulls . At Petit Port this evening were 29 Curlews, 27 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and Rock Pipit. In Rue des Raises were 13 Cattle Egrets and 2 Grey Herons were at Quetivel Mill.

09.10.2026 Thanks go to Dave Warncken for this fine head-on shot of a male Sparrowhawk at St Ouen's Pond on a brighter day than today. A poor day for weather, with overcast skies and occasional rain in a near-gale westerly wind, but mild at least at 18c. Today's poor conditions did not deter seabirds this morning, with some good counts from Corbiere, which included 727 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 382 Guillemots , 89 Razorbills , 54 Gannets , 44 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Kittiwakes , 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 18 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Sandwich Tern , 14 Shags and 3 Cormorants , also a single Swallow, 4 Ravens and 2 Choughs . This afternoon, in Petit Port Bay were 21 Curlews , 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 18 Turnstones and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls . In the shelter of the Sandpits at Le Braye were 37 Cormorants , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 2 Little Grebes , 175 Coot , 64 Tufted Ducks , 8 male Pochard , 2 Grey Herons and a Cetti's Warbler . On St Ouen's Beach this afternoon were 19 Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In St Aubin's Bay were 145 Brent Geese , 2 Curlews and a Grey Heron , with 30 Meadow Pipits at Beaumont Marsh. 6 Cattle Egrets were at Mont a l'Abbe and at Grands Vaux reservoir were 6 Teal and 2 Grey Wagtails . Around La Rocque early this evening were 54 Ringed Plovers , 19 Grey Plovers , 6 Redshanks , 65 Sanderlings , 110 Dunlin , 22 Turnstones , 6 Curlew , 270 Oystercatchers , 3 Sandwich Terns , a Common Gull, 5 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons ,6 Brent Geese , 4 alba Wagtails and 2 Rock Pipits . Yesterday evening at St Aubin were 18 Redshanks and at Grands Vaux was a Barn Owl .

08.10.2026 Skylark in flight over Noirmont MD A cold-feeling day at 15c in a gusty northwest wind and occasional showers. A good mix of species seen at, or passing Noirmont this morning included 2 Golden Plovers , a Ring Ouzel , 12 Song Thrushes , 9 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting , 93 Swallows , 4 House Martins , 189 Meadow Pipits , 49 alba Wagtails , 5 Siskins , 213 Linnets , 15 Chaffinches , 16 Goldfinches , 6 Cormorants , 16 Woodpigeons , 24 Stonechats , 4 Wheatears , 4 Chiffchaffs , a pale-phased Buzzard , a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs , while offshore were 61 Gannets , 19 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 14 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull . A flock of 70+ Woodpigeons was seen in flight over Mont Les Vaux. On Beauport Common were a Wheatear , a Stonechat , a Dartford Warbler , and 100 Linnets , while passing overhead were a Skylark , a Grey Wagtail and an alba Wagtail . At St Ouen's Pond were 29 Teal , 4 Shovelers , a Snipe , 3 Grey Herons and 2 Marsh Harriers and on the Scrape were 17 Teal , a Grey Heron and a pair of Stonechat . At Petit Port this evening were 18 Curlews , 37 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher . Seen over Victoria Tower in one hour from first light were 4 Song Thrushes , 5 Swallows , 3 House Martins , 12 Meadow Pipits , 3 Linnets , 2 Chaffinches , a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards and 2 Ravens , while on the ground there, were 2 Firecrests , and 3 Chiffchaffs . At Grouville Golf Course were a Hobby and 14 Swallows . In St Catherine's Woods were a Bullfinch , a Grey Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker . Between Archirondel and St Catherine's were 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets , a Kestrel and 2 Buzzards . In Grouville Marsh this morning were 45 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 3 Siskins , 4 Water Rails and a Bullfinch , and passing over were 8 Song Thrushes, 12 Swallows , 7 House Martins , 8 Meadow Pipits , 4 Goldfinches , and 2 Chaffinches . In Grouville Bay were 178 Brent Geese and 25 Linnets . On Grands Vaux reservoir were a Grey Wagtail and 3 Teal , while in Great Union Road in St Helier was a party of 7+ Long-tailed Tits. Back to yesterday , when on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 6 Snipe and a male Wigeon

07.10.2026 Yesterday's Norwegian colour-ringed Rock Pipit, pictured in St Ouen's Bay by Jo Bramley. A dramatic change in the weather today, with heavy rain overnight and all morning and a temperature of just 15c in a strong northerly wind. Cattle Egrets continue their claims for the East and centre of the Island, with 50+ at Le Catillon in Grouville and another 5 near the Motor Mall. Despite the very poor conditions, some birds were moving over Noirmont, mainly heading north into the Island. Through the morning, 4 Brent Geese , 36 House Martins , 3 Swallows , 19 Song Thrushes , 102 Meadow Pipits , and 22 Linnets , with 2 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , 2 Blue Tits , 2 Marsh Harriers and a Dartford Warbler seen on the ground and 15 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Razorbills and a Cormorant passing offshore. On Grouville Common were 4 Stonechats and a Swallow and 17 Grey Herons and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were at La Sente. On Grands Vaux were 5 Teal and 2 Grey Herons and a Grey Wagtail was at the General Hospital in St Helier. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape, which now has some water in it, were 7 Teal and a Grey Heron and at Kempt Tower were 27 Ringed Plovers . Several Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls were feeding on St Ouen's Bay this afternoon. In Petit Port Bay were 14 Curlews , 56 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 6 Great Black-backed Gulls and 11 Little Egrets .

06.10.2026 A great image of a Knot in Grouville Bay, taken by Jo Bramley. It was a cloudier day than of recent, but still dry in a fresh Easterly wind and warm at 22c. An Osprey flew East through St Aubin's Bay this evening, being seen at both the Gunsite and at First Tower. Also seen in the Bay today were 67 Brent Geese , including 18 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 56 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Sandwich Terns , a Grey Heron and a Little Egret . At Grouville Marsh from Dawn were 40 Swallows and 70 Jackdaws out of roost, 25 Blackcaps , 10 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 10 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Siskins , a Stonechat , 5 Song Thrushes , 6 Water Rails , a Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 5 Teal , and in Vallee des Vaux were a Siskin , 2 Song Thrushes , 3 Short-toed Treecreepers and 2 Firecrests . Visible migrants flying past Noirmont this morning included 126 Swallows , 7 House Martins , 3 Skylarks , 5 Song Thrushes , 12 Starlings , 355 Meadow Pipits , 26 alba Wagtails , a Snipe , 354 Linnets , 50 Chaffinches , 61 Greenfinches , a Siskin , 7 Goldfinches and a Grey Heron . Also on the headland were 6 Stonechats , a Blackcap , 2 Chiffchaffs , 4 Dartford Warblers , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Marsh Harriers , 4 Buzzards and 6 Ravens . In St Ouen's Bay, were 280 Black-headed Gulls, 107 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Sandwich Terns , 9 Ringed Plovers and a colour-ringed Rock Pipit . At Le Pulec were 2 Stonechats and at Corbiere were 2 Wheatears . In Petit Port Bay were 17 Mediterranean Gulls , 23 Great Black-backed Gulls , 22 Ringed Plovers , a Turnstone and a Little Egret .  Below : Thanks to Romano for this record shot of the colour-ringed Rock Pipit in St Ouen's Bay today, which was ringed in Norway!

05.10.2026 A Whinchat at Noirmont today MD Another fine and warm day in a light northeast wind (22c) Counts from Noirmont through the morning, included 223 Swallows , 12 House Martins , 10 Skylarks , 2 Song Thrushes , 401 Meadow Pipits , 28 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 209 Linnets , 24 Greenfinches , 53 Chaffinches , 8 Goldfinches , a Whinchat , 15 Stonechats , 6 Dartford Warblers , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Sparrowhawks , 4 Buzzards , a Black-headed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull . On Ouaisne Common this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 15 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , and a Cetti's Warbler . Flying over there, were 3 Song Thrushes , 16 Woodpigeons , 20 Meadow Pipits , 3 Chaffinches , 2 Siskins , 4 alba Wagtails and 2 Ravens . At Beauport were 3 Stonechats , 3 Jays , a flock of 100 Linnets and a Skylark flying over. At Les Landes were 6 Stonechats . At St Ouen's Pond this morning were 2 Grey Herons , 7 Teal , a Swallow , a Snipe , a Grey Wagtail and a Marsh Harrier and around Kempt Tower pools were a Wheatear and a Stonechat . 11 Brent Geese , 13 Oystercatchers and a Little Egret were at St Aubin and in the Fisherman's Harbour in St Helier were 18 Grey Herons and 6 Little Egrets . A Greenland Wheatear which was taken into care, having flown into a window in St Helier, was safely released in Grouville Bay today. On Grands Vaux reservoir were 7 Teal and at Le Catillon were 32 Cattle Egrets. In and over Grouville Marsh were 4 Water Rails, a Marsh Harrier , 5 House Martins and 12 Swallows . On Les Ecrehous today were 7 Little Egrets , a Wheatear , a Chiffchaff , 4 Linnets , 2 Swallows , a Blackbird and a Robin . Roosting at Grouville Marsh this evening were 40 Swallows and 70 Jackdaws .

04.10.2026 There was a good arrival of Stonechats at Noirmont today, with at least 22 present. This image of a male was taken at Noirmont by MD A fine and warm day (23c), winds from the North-east. Seen from a seawatch at Corbiere this morning were 268 Balearic Shearwaters , 9 Guillemots , and 18 Mediterranean Gulls , with good numbers of Tuna in the area. A Wheatear was on the headland. A busy morning for birds at and over Noirmont involved 170 Swallows , 28 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting , 2 Grey Wagtails , 76 alba Wagtails , 968 Meadow Pipits , a Song Thrush , 1,026 Linnets, 105 Chaffinches , 38 Greenfinches , 16 Goldfinches , a Wheatear , 22 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 6 Dartford Warblers , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , 2 Sparrowhawks , 4 Buzzards , 18 Magpies , 3 Ravens , and also a Clouded Yellow butterfly. 7 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull were seen offshore. At Grouville Marsh from first light were 60 Swallows and 100 Jackdaws out of roost, 2 Marsh Harriers , a Reed Warbler , 15 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 10 Cetti's Warblers , 14 Siskins , a Grey Wagtail, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a fall of 90+ Blackcaps , 5 Water Rails , a Sparrowhawk , and 15 Robins . Flying over there, were 24 Song Thrushes, 3 alba Wagtails , small numbers of Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits, a Skylark , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Buzzards . On Grouville Common were 3 Stonechats , with 3 Skylarks and 2 Choughs flying over. In Grouville Bay on the low tide were 74 Brent Geese , 19 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Knot , 3 Grey Plovers , a Greenshank , 11 Dunlin , 128 Sanderlings , 7 Curlews , 11 Little Egrets, 155 Black-headed Gulls and 8 Sandwich Terns . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 6 Teal , a Grey Heron , a Grey Wagtail , a Chiffchaff and 4 Buzzards , while in Beechfield Lane in St Helier were a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Buzzard and in Oaklands Lane were a Song Thrush and a Red Squirrel .

03.10.2026 A super shot of a juvenile Merlin at St Ouen's Pond Scrape, taken by Susan Renouf A dry day with high cloud, still warm at 20c in a light east-northeast wind. Autumn migrants continue to appear now. Today's birds at and passing Noirmont include a Mistle Thrush , 35 Song Thrushes, 8 Blackbirds , 3 Skylarks , 19 Swallows , 209 Meadow Pipits, 26 alba Wagtails , 3 Grey Wagtails , 41 Chaffinches , 151 Linnets , 2 Goldfinches , 16 Greenfinches , an unidentified Bunting sp, a Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs , 4 Stonechats , 8 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Blue Tits , 3 Dartford Warblers , a Peregrine , 3 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Grey Herons , 2 Cormorants , 5 Ravens , a Jay , 2 Marsh Harriers , and a Great Spotted Woodpecker , also, offshore were 4 Common Scoters a Mediterranean Gull and 5 Black-headed Gulls . 18 Song Thrushes were seen flying over Vallee des Vaux too. At La Rocque were 17 Little Egrets, 11 Grey Herons , 37 Turnstones , 9 Grey Plovers , 7 Sanderlings , a Redshank and 150 Oystercatchers , and at Seymour in Grouville Bay later were 90+ Oystercatchers , 8 Grey Plovers , a Curlew , 16 Bar-tailed Godwits , 30+ Little Egrets , a Common Gull , a few Sandwich Terns and Turnstones . In St Ouen's Bay were 59 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 24 Mediterranean Gulls and 19 Black-headed Gulls and at Le Pulec were 60 Oystercatchers , 3 Little Egrets and 4 Curlews . In Petit Port Bay were 22 Curlews , 12 Little Egrets , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-backed Gulls and 67 Oystercatchers . On Les Landes were 2 Marsh Harriers , a Kestrel , 40+ Meadow Pipits , 15 Goldfinches , 30 Linnets , 9 Robins , 3 Swallows , 3 Blue Tits , 2 Choughs and a Raven . At Mont a l'Abbe were 6 Cattle Egrets , and in the Jersey Zoo were 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Short-toed Treecreeper. Below: The view from Noirmont at Dawn this morning MD.

02.10.2026 Female Sparrowhawk over Noirmont MD A fine and warm day in a light southerly wind (21c) Autumn migrants are begining to appear as October gets under way. c20 Siskins flew over Mont les Vaux this afternoon, and the first Autumn Merlin was on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond. Moving over Noirmont from first light were 82 Swallows , 2 House Martins , 7 Skylarks , a Yellow Wagtai l, 2 Grey Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 511 Meadow Pipits , 178 Linnets , 56 Chaffinches , 32 Goldfinches , 11 Greenfinches , and passing offshore were a Balearic Shearwater , 26 Black-headed Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Sandwich Terns . On Noirmont headland were 5 Stonechats , a Willow Warbler , 2 Chiffchaffs , 5 Robins , 6 Blackbirds , 5 Dartford Warblers, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Buzzards , a Jay and 5 Ravens . On the north side of St Ouen's Pond were 2 Reed Buntings , a Reed Warbler , a Wheatear , 4 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , a Firecrest , 15 Cetti's Warbler s, 6 Water Rails , 3 Song Thrushes , 8 Robins , a family of 5 Swallows including recently fledged young, 2 Peregrines , a pale-phased Buzzard , 8 Marsh Harriers , 9 Teal , 6 Shovelers and 20 Meadow Pipits . A visit to Les Ecrehous today saw 8 Little Egrets , 50+ Oystercatchers , 14 Turnstones , 3 Curlews , a Ringed Plover , a Grey Heron , 10 Linnets , 10+ Rock Pipits , 3 Chiffchaffs and 3 Grey Seals , with a Grey Wagtail at Rozel Harbour. In Grouville Bay were 77 Brent Geese , 2 Great Crested Grebes and 15 Bottle-nosed Dolphins , and at La Rocque were a Knot , a Redshank , 53 Turnstones , 5 Grey Herons , 16 Little Egrets . At Sorel were 2 Stonechats , 8 Goldfinches , 15 Meadow Pipits , 2 Ravens and 36 Choughs . At St John's Manor were 11 Cattle Egrets and at Grands Vaux were 13 Cormorants , 7 Teal , a Marsh Harrier , a Common Sandpiper and a Peregrine .