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.

11.10.2025 A male Stonechat at Les Landes. Image: MD A second overcast day, today with a fresh easterly wind, making it feel much colder The Bay-breasted Warbler remained at Ouaisne today, but can be very illusive, being mainly being seen early morning at the back of the Common near the pond, which is currently dry. Also there, was a selection of other species including a few Firecrests , Goldcrests , Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits . Elsewhere, a Great White Egret was seen in flight over St Clement's Church and 19 Cattle Egrets were near to Holmegrown in Grouville. Migration via Noirmont is much reduced at the moment, but did included 52 Swallows , a House Martin , 3 Skylarks , 7 Blackbirds , 335 Meadow Pipits, 13 alba Wagtails , 162 Linnets , 117 Chaffinches , 26 Goldfinches , 70 Woodpigeons , a Snipe , a Grey Heron which landed in the large field, 5 Stonechats , 2 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest . Also seen there were 2 Peregrines , 2 Sparrowhawks , a Kestrel , a Marsh Harrier , 4 Buzzards , 4 Choughs , 4 Ravens a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Dartford Warblers . Around Grouville Marsh this morning were 5 Stonechats , 12 Chiffchaffs , 14 Blackcaps , a Firecrest , 10 Robins , a Grey Wagtail, and overflying, 14 Meadow Pipits , 11 Song Thrushes , 4 Siskins , 2 Ravens and 100 Jackdaws . At La Sente were 24 Grey Herons and 3 Ravens and up at Queen's Valley reservoir were 28 Tufted Duck , 5 Greenshanks , a Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher . Between Seymour and Le Hurel were 21 Little Egrets , 240 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Turnstones , 80 Sanderlings and 70 Crows and at La Rocque were 188 Brent Geese and 9 Grey Herons. In fields behind La Rocque were 14 Swallows , 5 Song Thrushes , a Skylark , 2 Chiffchaffs , 6 Stonechats , 75 Meadow Pipits and 2 Ravens . In Petit Port Bay were 23 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Curlews , 2 Grey Herons , 4 Little Egrets and 2 Shags , while in Beaumont Marsh were a Grey Heron , 21 Meadow Pipits , 15 Goldfinches , 50 Starlings and a Grey Wagtail . On Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Grey Wagtails and a Common Sandpiper , in Vallee des Vaux this afternoon, 3 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap , and at Sion were 2 Swallows .

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