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12.06.2025 Marsh Harrier by the Wetland Centre Image: MD
A thundery trough brought plenty of rain this morning, before clearing to a fine and warm afternoon.
Seen from Corbiere, mainly before the rain arrived were 10 Balearic Shearwaters, 29 Manx Shearwaters, a Guillemot, 9 Cormorants, 15 Shags, a Fulmar, 19 Gannets and a Grey Heron, also a Grey Seal and a Bottle-nosed Dolphin. The first signs of returning birds included 5 Curlew and 2 Redshank at Petit Port where the pair of Shelduck were still present.
Black-headed Gulls are also reappearing, with 2 at St Aubin and 6 in Grouville Bay, following on from 2 seen at Long Beach yesterday. Also in Grouville Bay today was a pair of Shelduck, with a Grey Heron seen there yesterday. In Grouville Marsh were both Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler.
At the Scrape in St Ouen's Bay were 6 Lapwings plus one juvenile, also the family of Shelduck . A pair of Little Grebe was on Kempt Tower pools. During the period of heaviest rain this morning, 50 Sand Martins and 15 Swallows were sitting it out at St Ouen's Pond, and 5 Swifts were still attempting to feed overhead. 30 Swifts were seen at Elizabeth Castle and a juvenile Long-eared Owl was heard in the grounds of Government House.
Several extra reports for yesterday included 11 pairs of Common Terns at Les Minquiers, although gull predation is an issue there, a Whimbrel, 22 Turnstones and 2 Sandwich Terns also there. A pair of White Wagtail were feeding 2 young at the Farmer's Cricket Ground.
Farther afield, a record count of 58 Roseate Terns was had at Ile de la Colomberie, near St Malo, but none seem to be at our Common Tern colonies so far.
10.11.2025 The male Yellow-crowned Bishop is still here, frequenting the reedbeds on the south canal at the Scrape. Thanks to Frank le Quesne for the brilliant photo. Seen in Grouville Bay this morning were 260 Sanderling , 48 Dunlin , 137 Grey Plover , 21 Ringed Plover , a Bar-tailed Godwit and 28 Turnstone while at La Hocq were 2 Chough . At St Aubins were 29 Redshank , 2 Turnstone , 65 Black-headed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull . St Ouen's Pond held 25 Shoveler , 3 Little Grebe , 2 Snipe , 2 Cormorant and 2 Marsh Harrier .
09.11.2025 A Reed Bunting in the sunshine at St Ouen's Pond, thanks to Tom Frazer for the lovely photo. Seen at La Rocque this morning were the first 8 Red-breasted Merganser of the winter, 215 Oystercatcher , 78 Turnstone , 70 Dunlin , 65 Grey Plover , 2 Redshank , a Great Crested Grebe , 2 Sandwich Tern and 3 Pied Wagtail . It was quiet up at Victoria Tower with 234 Starling , 20 Redwing , 4 Song Thrush , 2 Blackbird , 3 Skylark , 141 Woodpigeon , 18 Stock Dove , a Snipe , 174 Chaffinch , 4 Brambling , 14 Siskin , 13 Greenfinch , 7 Goldfinch , 13 Meadow Pipit , 2 Pied Wagtail passing over while on the ground were 2 Blackcap , 4 Chiffchaff , 5 Goldcrest and 2 Firecrest . At Grouville Marsh were 35 Chiffchaff , 15 Blackcap , 12 Firecrest , a Goldcrest , 6 Reed Bunting , 14 Siskin , 8 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Bullfinch , 3 Stonechat , 2 Grey Wagtail , 30 Chaffinch , 2 Brambling , 45 Jackdaw , a Skylark , 5 Redwing , 6 Song Thrush and a Sparrowhawk while in fields near to the Parish Hall were 200 Chaffinch , 3 Brambling , 3 Reed Bunting , 15 Goldfinch and 2 Stonechat . At St Ouen's Pond scrape were 68 Lapwing , a Kingfisher , 6 Reed Bunting , 2 Stonechat and 7 Marsh Harrier while on the beach nearby were 28 Ringed Plover , 8 Great Black-backed Gull and 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull with another 75 passing Corbiere earlier. In Vallee des Vaux this afternoon were a Fieldfare , 30 Redwing , 4 Goldcrest , 2 Firecrest and a Grey Wagtail with 2 Woodcock seen near Surville Manor.
08.11.2025 The Yellow-browed Warbler at Ouaisne this morning, thanks to Dave Buxton. It was quieter on the visible migration front today but seen passing over Victoria Tower were 83 Song Thrush , 79 Redwing , 12 Blackbird , 9 Skylark , 52 Starling , a Redpoll , 192 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 28 Greenfinch , 18 Linnet , 4 Siskin , a Reed Bunting , 3 Pied Wagtail , 39 Woodpigeon , 11 Stock Dove and 4 Brent Geese while on the ground were a Black Redstart , 3 Chiffchaff , a Blackcap and 2 Goldcrest . Down at Ouaisne were a Yellow-browed Warbler , 20 Chiffchaff , 25 Goldcrest , 6 Firecrest , 2 Blackcap , 2 Song Thrush , 2 Redwing and 2 Woodcock while flying over were 450 Woodpigeon , 140 Siskin , 20 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 2 Skylark , 2 Raven , 2 Marsh Harrier and a pale Buzzard . Seen in the Sandpits were 25 Tufted Duck , 6 Pochard , 35 Coot , 2 Little Grebe , a Grey Heron , 2 Stonechat and 2 Marsh Harrier while nearby at St Ouens Pond were 29 Shoveler , 11 Teal , 3 Little Grebe , 4 Lapwing , 3 Snipe , a Water Rail , a Grey Heron , 6 Marsh Harrier , 30 Starling , 2 Blackcap and 3 Reed Bunting and a t Corbiere were 38 Curlew , 3 Purple Sandpiper and 7 Brent Geese . A Kingfisher was seen again in Queen's Valley and at Beaumont Marsh were 5 Brent Geese , 2 Snipe and a Grey Wagtail .
07.11.2025 Just some of the 101 Cattle Egret in St Clement this morning! Thanks to Alan Gicquel for the photo. It was a fruitful morning over Victoria Tower again with 3,137 Redwing , 63 Song Thrush , 11 Blackbird , 5 Skylark , a Serin , 1,069 Chaffinch , 19 Brambling , 140 Siskin , 8 Linnet , a Grey Wagtail , 15 Stock Dove , 2 Grey Heron and a Cormorant while on the ground were 3 Chiffchaff , 2 Blackcap , a Firecrest and 4 Goldcrest . A great count of 101 Cattle Egret were in fields along Causie lane and 933 Brent Geese were in Grouville Bay. At Grouville Marsh this morning were 45 Chiffchaff , 10 Firecrest , 2 Goldcrest , 2 Grey Wagtail , 16 Siskin , 4 Bullfinch , 20 Song Thrush , 10 Blackbird , 8 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Reed Bunting , a Woodcock , 4 Stonechat , 6 Water Rail and 4 Teal while flying over were 850 Redwing , 130 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 8 Skylark , a Snipe , a Greenshank and 2 Marsh Harrier . In fields near to the Parish hall were 150 Chaffinch and 20 Goldfinch . At Petit Port were 44 Mediterranean Gull , a Kingfisher , a Grey Heron and 11 Little Egret with 52 Turnstone , a Purple Sandpiper and a Black Redstart at Corbiere. A check of St Aubins found 24 Redshank and a Grey Wagtail and a Goldcrest was picked up after flying into the windows of the RBC building on the Esplande, but was happily released after a short rest.
06.11.2025 One of today's Skylarks , flying over the bunker at Noirmont. Image: MD A day of varying amounts of cloud, but feeling warm at 16c in a moderate southerly wind After yesterday's relatively quiet scene, visible migrants were back in numbers this morning. Seen from Victoria Tower were 3,861 Redwings , 2 Mistle Thrushes , 8 Song Thrushes , 3 Blackbirds , 2 Skylarks , 3,186 Starlings, 146 Chaffinches , 5 Bramblings , 37 Siskins , 36 Linnets , 6 Goldfinches , 102 Woodpigeons , 2 Pied Wagtails , 3 Meadow Pipits , 4 Goldcrests and a Firecrest . It always amazes, how different the species mix can be between Victoria Tower and Noirmont, less than ten miles apart. Today's counts at Noirmont included 3,677 Woodpigeons , 16 Stock Doves, a Woodlark , 32 Skylarks , 303 Starlings , 44 Song Thrushes, just a single Redwing , a Mistle Thrush , 4 Blackbirds , 3 Stonechats , a Lapwing , 1,192 Chaffinches , 9 Siskins , 3 Bramblings , 5 Goldfinches , 17 Greenfinches , 10 Linnets , 68 Meadow Pipits , 5 Pied Wagtails , 2 arriving Blue Tits , a Dartford Warbler , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , also a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Buzzards and 8 Ravens . In Les Ormes Valley from Dawn, were a late Swallow , 2 Firecrests , 5 Goldcrests , 6 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 2 Bullfinches , a Water Rail, 60 Song Thrushes , 35 Redwings , 15 Blackbirds , 130 Starlings , 4 Skylarks , a Fieldfare , 8 Siskins , 5 Bramblings , 120 Chaffinches , 2 Meadow Pipits , 2 Linnets ,, also 17 Black-headed Gulls, a Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier . On Ouaisne Common were a Woodcock , 3 Firecrests , 5 Goldcrests , 25 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , 3 Song Thrushes , a Skylark , a Siskin , 8 Ravens and a Marsh Harrier . At St Catherine's were 105 Brent Geese and a Grey Seal, and In Grouville Bay were 800 Brent Geese including one pale-bellied bird , these counts including a good number of juveniles. On Grouville Common were q flock of 30 Starlings , 2 Stonechats , 4 Pied Wagtails , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 2 Firecrests and 2 Long-tailed Tits .
05.11.2025 A Goldcrest at Pont Marquet this week. Image: MD A cloud and grey day, mild in a fresh to strong southeast wind. Early movement over Victoria Tower this morning included 296 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds , 280 Starlings , 274 Chaffinches , 4 Bramblings , 4 Goldfinches , and 123 Siskins , with 6 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests and 4 Chiffchaffs also there. A quieter morning at Noirmont saw a Great Northern Diver flying over the headland, and among the more regular species were 1,130 Woodpigeons, 2 Skylarks , 255 Chaffinches , 18 Goldfinches , 2 Linnets , 14 Redwings , 2 Song Thrushes , 60 Meadow Pipits , 7 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , 5 Ravens , 2 Choughs and a Grey Heron . 29 Shovelers were on St Ouen's Pond and 2 Teal plus a Grey Heron were at Kempt Tower pools. At the Scrape were 13 Marsh Harriers and a Grey Heron . At Petit Port were 27 Curlews and a Mediterranean Gull and in Beaumont Marsh were 4 Brent Geese , 4 Ravens , a Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails . This evening , Redwings were in flight over La Pouquelaye and yesterday evening, Redwings were heard in flight over both Noirmont and Vallee des Vaux.
04.11.2025 A Firecrest at Pont Marquet yesterday. Image: MD Cloudy conditions through the day today, with a fresh to strong south-southeasterly wind, but mild at 15c Despite the strong headwind, there was some good passage of birds through the morning at Noirmont, with counts of one Swallow , 9,125 Woodpigeons , 565 Starlings , 726 Chaffinches , 49 Goldfinches , 8 Greenfnches , 3 Linnets , 24 Meadow Pipits , a Pied Wagtail , a Grey Wagtail and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were a 4 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , a kettle of 8 Buzzards , a female Marsh Harrier , 2 Choughs and 4 Ravens . In St Aubin's Bay were 720 Brent Geese and at Beaumont Marsh were 4 Brent Geese , 60 Starlings , a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk . At Petit Port were 26 Curlews , 8 Turnstones , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 8 Great Black-backed Gulls while at Corbiere were 8 Purple Sandpipers , 5 Turnstones , 13 Mediterranean Gulls and 266 Herring Gulls . In Longueville Marsh in St Clement were 2 Siskins , 15 Chiffchaffs , a Cetti's Warbler, a Firecrest , a Goldcrest and a Water Rail and in Vallee des Vaux were a Redwing , 2 Song Thrushes , 2 Firecrests , 4 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs . Below : If you haven't visited the Kempt Tower pools for a while, a good job has been done on opening up the views on the YOC Hide pond, seen here, yesterday, as viewed from the stand-up hide. Image MD
03.11.2025 Woodpigeons heading off into the rising sun at Noirmont this morning. Image: MD A day of high cloud, with just an isolated shower in a strong and gusty southwest wind. Mild at 16c Early morning migration over Noirmont was dominated by Woodpigeons , with 5,020 counted in the first ninety minutes of daylight. Other species also heading off included 6 Stock Doves , 12 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 30 Meadow Pipits , 182 Chaffinches , 16 Siskins , 24 Goldfinches , 3 Linnets , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were a single Brent Goose , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk and 11 Ravens with a Goldcrest calling on the ground. Passing Victoria Tower early were 5 Swallows , 237 Chaffinches , 11 Goldfinches , 2 Song Thrushes , 58 Woodpigeons , 14 Stock Doves , 3 Meadow Pipits, with 2 Goldcrests also seen. On Grouville Common was a Wheatear and in Grouville Bay were 675 Brent Geese including one pale-belled Brent , and at Holmegrown were 76 Cattle Egrets . In Grouville Marsh were a Reed Bunting , 2 Blackcaps , 12 Chiffchaffs , 4 Goldcrests , 4 Cetti's Warblers , a Grey Wagtail , a Sparrowhawk, 70 Jackdaws and a Water Rail . At La Rocque were 97 Grey Plovers , 82 Sanderlings , 10 Dunlin , 3 Redshanks , 32 Turnstones and 16 Curlews . In Vallee des Vaux were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , a Grey Wagtail, a Siskin and 6 Greenfinches . In Petit Port Bay were 15 Curlews , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Turnstones and hundreds of Herring Gulls . Earlier, on the patch at Corbiere were 15 Mediterranean Gulls, 26 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake , 6 Gannets , and a few Razorbills . On St Ouen's Pond were 27 Shovelers and 4 Little Grebes . At Pont Marquet, on the Railway Walk were at least 5 Firecrests and 3 Goldcrests . Yesterday evening Barn Owls were in Vallee des Vaux and on Trinity Hill and a late report from Friday (31st) was of a Wheatear on Les Landes.
02.11.2025 A young Arctic Tern on a very windy St Catherine's Breakwater today, image courtesy of David Buxton Another very blustery day with frequent showers this morning, winds from the West and strong. Seawatching from Corbiere this morning saw 91 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 24 Gannets , 45 Shags , 10 Cormorants , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 12 Black-headed Gulls , 29 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Kittiwakes , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Heron . The patch north of Corbiere light attracted over 200 Gulls , mainly Mediterranean Gulls and Black-headed Gulls , also a few Gannets and auks . At Le Pulec this afternoon were over 500 Herring Gulls , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls, 600 Oystercatchers , 53 Curlews , 19 Shags and 11 Little Egrets . In Petit Port Bay were 29 Curlews , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Black-headed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Lapwing and 7 Teal and at Noirmont were 12 Stonechats . In the relative calm of Vallee des Vaux this morning, were a Short-toed Treecreeper which was ringed and released, 2 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 6 Long-tailed Tits , 7 Greenfinches , a Siskin , 2 Redwings and a Sparrowhawk . Below : A video of today's Arctic Tern , with sound that confirms it was very windy there! Thanks again to David DB
01.11.2025 Two Barnacle Geese in flight with an Australian Wood Duck over the Scrape! No doubt, of very dubious provenance, but a very nice image taken by John Ovenden, nevertheless. Image: JO A Woodcock was seen standing on Mont Cochon before first light. In the fields behind La Rocque Harbour were 84 Cattle Egrets and flying over there, were a Snipe , a Skylark , 14 Meadow Pipits and 6 Chaffinches and in the fields around Grouville Parish Hall were 120 Goldfinches , 4 Linnets , a Reed Bunting , 6 Meadow Pipits , 100 Chaffinches , a Chiffchaff , a Stonechat , 2 Siskins , and a Skylark . In Grouville Marsh were a Reed Bunting , 6 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail . A thirty minute count of visible migrants over Victoria Tower saw 5 Bramblings , 3 Siskins , 2 Goldfinches , a Starling , a Grey Wagtail , 131 Chaffinches , 8 Redwings , 2 Song Thrushes , a Blackbird and on the ground, 2 Goldcrests . A similar exercise at Noirmont counted 2 Skylarks , 51 Woodpigeons , 52 Meadow Pipits , 85 Starlings , 2 Pied Wagtails , 32 Chaffinches and 3 Linnets , while on the ground there were a Mistle Thrush , 3 Song Thrushes, and a Peregrine flew over. Seabirds off Corbiere, mainly on the patch by the lighthouse, included 149 Razorbills , 38 Gannets , 104 Mediterranean Gulls , 60 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 12 Great Black-backed Gulls . A Grey Wagtail and 12 Meadow Pipits flew over. In Petit Port Bay were a Kingfisher , 4 Brent Geese , 24 Curlews , 8 Turnstones , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 11 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Grey Herons , 3 Little Egrets and a Sparrowhawk . On the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 31 Teal and 4 Marsh Harriers and a presumed escaped Australian Wood Duc k flew over with two Barnacle Geese . In a garden in Vallee des Vaux this afternoon were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps and 4 Redwings at Dusk. Below : The feeding area North of Corbiere Lighthouse on the rising tide today.
