13.01.2024 Mediterranean Gull in St Ouen's Bay, image courtesy of Romano da Costa
A steely grey day and cold at just 3c in a light east-northeast wind.
Divers were to the fore at La Coupe this morning, with 13 Great Northern Divers, a Black-throated Diver and 89 Red-throated Divers seen. Also passing were 22 Brent Geese, 4 Common Scoters, 4 Gannets, 79 Razorbills, 17 Guillemots, 7 Cormorants, a Grey Heron, 78 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls, 3 Turnstones, a Curlew and 31 Oystercatchers. 2 Sparrowhawks, a male Marsh Harrier, 17 Chaffinches and a Blackcap were also seen.
A few birds reported from La Sente included 2 Shelduck, a Brent Goose, 5 Greenshanks and 12 Redshanks. At Grouville Marsh today were another Little Bunting, 40 Reed Buntings, 4 Siskin, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Water Rails, 2 Woodcock, 2 Teal, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 22 Cattle Egrets, 60 Redwings, a Peregrine, 3 Marsh Harriers, and 40 Jackdaws. On Rue du Pont were another 12 Cattle Egrets, 2 Little Egrets and a Fieldfare.
At Beaumont Marsh were 420 Brent Geese and a Curlew and in fields by Les Mielles Apartments were another 150 Brent Geese. Yesterday, 4 Shovelers and a Peregrine were seen there. In Vallee des Vaux were 11 Siskins and 4 Bullfinches.
Yesterday evening, 40 Jackdaws were at a roost in St Ouen's Bay and 17 Long-eared Owls left their roost at an undisclosed site in St Ouen. At St Ouen's Pond were 40+ Wigeon, 20 Teal and a Water Pipit and on the Scrape were 52 Lapwings and the Hen Harrier again. A Teal was at Pont Marquet.
Below: Today's Little Bunting at Grouville Marsh image courtesy of David Buxton
04.08.2025 A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on St Ouen's Bay beach, with thanks to Jo Bramley for this nice image. JB A cloudy day with the threat of rain this evening, winds from the southwest. More early autumn migrants today, with a Cuckoo and a Hobby seen at St Ouen's Pond and Scrape. Also there, were a Teal , a juvenile Marsh Harrier , a Little Gull, a Grey Heron , 3 Sand Martins , 6 House Martins and 4 Swallows . At the Cutty Sark in St Ouen's Bay were a Wheatear , 6 Swallows and 3 Skylarks . On St Ouen's Beach were a Yellow-legged Gull , 49 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 5 Great Black-backed Gulls , 104 Herring Gulls , 35 Mediterranean Gulls and 120 Black-headed Gulls . Gulls were also moving over Corbiere this morning with 277 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 292 Herring Gulls , 67 Great Black-backed Gulls , 48 Mediterranean Gulls , and 15 Black-headed Gulls counted in four hours. Also passing Corbiere were 15 Balearic Shearwaters , 11 Manx Shearwaters , 6 Common Scoters , a Grey Heron and 95 Gannets . On the headland was a flock of 18 Choughs , 2 Ravens and a female Marsh Harrier . At Petit Port were 26 Mediterranean Gulls, and 4 Swifts were seen over Beauport. At Grouville Marsh this morning were 3 Garden Warblers , 15 Reed Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers , 15 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps , 6 Cetti's Warblers , 3 Bullfinches , a Swift , a Kingfisher , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 6 Cattle Egrets . Seen from Seymour were 47 Sandwich Terns , 8 Mediterranean Gulls , a Dunlin and a Peregrine . 3 Firecrests were seen near Le Couperon, with 2 Long-tailed Tits also there. Back to yesterday and 12 Swallows , 3 Sand Martins and 10 Linnets were at Sorel.
03.08.2025 Reed Warbler carrying food for young at the Scrape. Image: MD A cloudy day with a westerly wind. A few migrants at Noirmont this morning included a Redstart , 8 Willow Warblers , a Whitethroat , 6 Chiffchaffs and 120 Swallows . Gulls featured strongly again, with4 Yellow-legged Gulls , 146 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 94 Great Black-backed Gulls , 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 124 Black-backed Gulls and also 3 Sandwich Terns on St Ouen's Beach, while on Jubilee Hill were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 12 Great Black-backed Gulls . In the Sandpits were 45 Tufted Ducks , 14 Little Egrets , 2 Grey Herons , 10 Little Egrets , a Mediterranean Gull , a Common Sandpiper and 2 Sand Martins . On the Scrape was a Willow Warbler and in the backfields at the Pond were 72 Great Black-backed Gulls and at Le Pulec was a pair of Stonechats . Counts from Corbiere early on included 3 Common Scoters , a Balearic Shearwater, a Fulmar , 143 Gannets , 54 Shags , 8 Cormorants , 30 Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Black-headed Gulls , 93 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 39 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Ravens and a female Marsh Harrier . At Petit Port were 27 Curlews , 2 Whimbrels , 2 Sandwich Terns, 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Little Egrets . At Le Hurel were 220 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Sandwich Terns and a Great Crested Grebe . In Oaklands Lane were 6 Swallows and at Le Marais Farm were 4 Swifts , 2 Willow Warblers and 3 very young Swallows .
02.08.2025 Shags appear to have had a very good breeding season this year, with good numbers of juveniles showing. This image shows most of a flock of 49, feeding at Corbiere today, nearly all of them young birds. Image: MD A fair to fine day in a fresh Northerly wind. Seen at Noirmont this morning were a Wheatear , 3 Willow Warblers , a Whitethroat , 35 Swallows , 2 Sand Martins, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , a Grey Heron and 4 Little Egrets . On Les Ecrehous yesterday and today were a Roseate Tern , c 300 Sandwich Terns , still numbers of Common Terns, 2 Curlews ( just one today), 9 Little Egrets and 3 Sanderlings in flight. A busier day for birds moving offshore at Corbiere, saw counts of 75 Balearic Shearwaters , 91 Manx Shearwaters , 7 Fulmars , 53 Gannets , 123 Shags , 18 Cormorants , a Sandwich Tern , 36 Mediterranean Gulls , 30 Black-headed Gulls , 53 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 179 Herring Gulls including good numbers juveniles moving offshore with adults, 41 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets , 2 Peregrines and a White Wagtail . 15 Curlews were at Petit Port. 230 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls , 113 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 146 Great Black-backed Gulls , 9 Mediterranean Gulls and 4 Sanderlings were on the beach in St Ouen's Bay this afternoon. From Dawn this morning at St Ouen's Pond birds seen included a Green Sandpiper , 4 Swifts , 20 Sand Martins, 15 House Martins , 50 Swallows , 40 Reed Warblers, 25 Sedge Warblers, 10 Willow Warblers, 8 Cetti's Warblers , a male Reed Bunting in moult, a Stonechat , 4 Marsh Harriers , a Peregrine and a Raven . On Mont Matthieu were a Whitethroat , 2 Willow Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler , a Sand Martin , 20 House Martins , 30 Swallows and a Marsh Harrier . Evening update : A Melodious Warbler was at Le Pulec this afternoon. Back to yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond when 2 Swifts , 100 Sand Martins , 25 Swallows , 15 House Martins, were present.
01.08.2025 Marsh Harrier at St Ouen's Pond. Image: MD A fine day with a cool northerly wind A Great White Egret was seen flying North over Mont les Vaux this morning, but not seen again (so far). Gulls are featuring strongly at the moment and on St Ouen's Beach were a juvenile and an immature Caspian Gull , 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 250 Black-headed Gulls , 93 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 113 Great Black-backed Gulls, also 3 Sanderlings and a Ringed Plove r, and on Jubilee Hill were another immature Caspian Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull , 44 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 51 Great Black-backed Gulls . At Petit Port were a Whimbrel , 18 Curlews , 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Little Egrets . Seen from Corbiere early on were 4 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 6 Fulmars , 34 Gannets , 3 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 26 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Peregrines and a pod of at least 15 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . Around Kempt Tower and pools were a juvenile and a female Marsh Harrier together, a Whitethroat , 2 Reed Warblers , 4 Swallows , a Little Grebe and 15 Goldfinches . A single Willow Warbler was seen at Beaumont Marsh.
31.07.2025 One of yesterday's fall of Willow Warblers , a juvenile bird at Corbiere. Image: MD A fairly miserable day with some light rain this morning in generally overcast conditions, in a moderate west-northwest wind, but at least it was mild! On Les Ecrehous today, a Roseate Tern was still present, along with 90 Sandwich Terns , Common Terns still breeding and yesterday evening, 2 Willow Warblers . Today's counts at St Ouen's Pond included a Barn Owl, a juvenile Marsh Harrier with 3 adults, 35 Sedge Warblers , 20 Reed Warblers , 6 Willow Warblers , 15 House Martins , 20 Sand Martins, 30 Swallows , a Grey Heron , a Ringed Plover and a singing Skylark . At the Scrape were a Redshank , 15 Sand Martins , 6 Swallows and a juvenile Chaffinch while on Mont Matthieu were 3 juvenile White Wagtails . In the Sandpits as well as the usual plethora of Coots, were 3 Barnacle Geese , 10 Little Grebes , 30 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 12 Little Egrets , 29 Tufted Duck , a male Pochard , 3 Oystercatchers , 14 Sand Martins and a Cetti's Warbler . On the beach in St Ouen's Bay were a Caspian Gull , 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , 134 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 81 Great Black-backed Gulls . Passing Corbiere early on were a Balearic Shearwater, a Fulmar , 30 Gannets , 6 Cormorants , 29 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 22 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , a Curlew , a Grey Heron , 4 Ravens , a Swallow and a pod of 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . At St Aubin were 106 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 10 Redshanks and at La Rocque were 107 Sandwich Terns . 5 Ravens and a pair of Kestrels were at Les Platons.
30.07.2025 One of two Grasshopper Warblers, at St Ouen's Pond this morning, this one now wearing a Jersey ring! Image David Buxton A cloudy start to a fine day, becoming warm in a moderate north-west wind. As July heads towards it's close, definite signs of migration around the Island. At St Ouen's Pond from Dawn were 2 Grasshopper Warblers , 50 Sedge Warblers , 30 Reed Warblers , 8 Willow Warblers , a Blackcap , 5 Chiffchaffs , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , a Water Rail , 2 Grey Herons, a Swift , 20 Sand Martins , 20 House Martins , 25 Swallows , 3 Stonechats , a juvenile White Wagtail, 2 male Pochard , 30 Starlings , 20 Linnets , 3 Choughs , 2 Ravens , an overflying Ringed Plover and an impressive 18 Marsh Harriers out of a roost there. 5 Clouded yellow butterfies were also seen there, with another 2 seen in the Scrape area, but little else given the work carried out there today. Offshore, at Les Ecrehous were 300+ Sandwich Terns , a Roseate Tern , 50 Common Terns , 11 Little Egrets , 158 Turnstones , 20 Sanderlings , 50 Oystercatchers , a Grey Heron and a Willow Warbler . Passing Corbiere were 2 Common Scoters, 2 Fulmars , 35 Gannets , 29 Cormorants , 44 Shags , an immature Yellow-legged Gull , 4 Sandwich Terns , 76 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 39 Great Black-backed Gulls , 12 Mediterranean Gulls , 15 Black-headed Gulls , 165 Herring Gulls, 4 Swallows and also present were 5 Willow Warblers , a Peregrine and 2 Ravens . In Petit Port Bay were 23 Curlews , a Whimbrel and 10 Mediterranean Gulls while in St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were a juvenile Caspian Gull , 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 63 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , ( one wearing a Portuguese colour-ring), 78 Great Black-backed Gulls and 13 Mediterranean Gulls . The Redshank count at St Aubin had reached 10 today and by the car park at Egypte was a Dartford Warbler . Early on, a Barn Owl was seen near St Ouen's Manor. Below : The Scrape at St Ouen's Pond has received it's Summer cut, and it means that the water is now visible from the Scrape Hide again. Members of the Ornithology Section of the Societe Jersiaise joined the Rangers of the National Trust for Jersey to complete the tidy up in fine and warm conditions. Image: MD
29.07.2025 A beautiful flight shot of a Sandwich Tern on the southeast coast, courtesy of Romano. RDC A cloudy day with some light rain in a west-northwest wind A good list from St Ouen's Pond and surrounds from first light this morning included a Hobby , a Green Sandpiper , 35 Sedge Warblers , 30 Reed Warblers , 5 Willow Warblers , 6 Cetti's Warblers , 10 Chiffchaffs , 15 House Martins , 50 Sand Martins , 30 Swallows , 2 Swifts , a Grey Heron , 25 Starlings , 30 Linnets , a family of 4 Stonechats , 2 Ravens , a juvenile Mediterranean Gull , a juvenile Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , 5 Skylarks and a Grey Heron . Passing Corbiere were 2 Balearic Shearwaters , 5 Fulmars , 31 Gannets , 41 Shags , 8 Cormorants , 16 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Grey Herons . Notable on land there, were a female Marsh Harrier and a flock of 24 Ravens . In Petit Port Bay were 29 Curlews , a Whimbrel and 11 Mediterranean Gulls while at Le Pulec were 10 Little Egrets , 6 Black-headed Gulls and 28 Rock Pipits . In St Ouen's Bay this evening were a Yellow-legged Gull , 65 Great Black-backed Gulls , 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 5 Sanderlings . On Les Ecrehous today were a Roseate Tern , c 60 Sandwich Terns, many of them juveniles, a Grey Heron and 3 Willow Warblers . Seen at Noirmont were 3 Willow Warblers , 65 Swallows and 6 Black-headed Gulls , while at Elizabeth Castle were 33 Curlews , 258 Oystercatchers , 13 Cormorants and 3 Little Egrets . At Queen's Valley reservoir were 4 Greenshanks , a Tufted Duck and a Grey Heron . A Barn Owl was seen early this morning, near St John's Manor, and another Barn Owl was seen late yesterday at Mont Matthieu.
28.07.2025 A flock of Black-headed Gulls with a selection of plumages, seen in the Sandpits last week. Image: MD Cloudy to fair conditions in a moderate north-west wind. Among birds seen during a visit to Les Minquiers today were 80 Turnstones , 9 Sandwich Terns , 80 Shags, mainly immatures, 6 Cormorants , 21 Great Black-backed Gulls a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Willow Warbler . This morning's passage past Corbiere included 3 Common Scoters , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 5 Manx Shearwaters , 35 Gannets , 12 Fulmars , 84 Shags including good numbers of immatures, 2 Sandwich Terns , 40 Mediterranean Gulls , 22 Black-headed Gulls , 53 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 32 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Kittiwake , 45 Curlews heading off to a roost, a Turnstone , an immature Peregrine being chased off by an adult bird, a Raven and 12+ Bottle-nosed Dolphins , also 3 Swallows . In Petit Port Bay were 22 Mediterranean Gulls and 27 Black-headed Gulls . Seen from Dawn at St Ouen's Pond were 4 Green Sandpipers , a Swift , 30 Sand Martins , 25 Swallows , 8 House Martins , 20 Sedge Warblers , 30 Reed Warblers , 2 Willow Warblers , 10 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 6 Cetti's Warblers , a Water Rail , a singing Skylark , 2 Grey Herons , a juvenile Marsh Harrier and a family of 4 Stonechats . On the Scrape were 3 Green Sandpipers, a Grey Heron and a passing Swift, and a Common Sandpiper was in the Sandpits. On Mont Matthieu were a Willow Warbler , a Blackcap and a juvenile Marsh Harrier . North of Le Braye slip this afternoon were a Yellow-legged Gull , 72 Great Black-backed Gulls and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, At St Aubin were 140 Black-headed Gulls and 9 Redshanks and around Elizabeth Castle were 150 Oystercatchers and 2 Cormorants . An extra for yesterday was a raft of 500-600 Balearic Shearwaters seen off Grosnez from the cross channel ferry.
27.07.2025 A juvenile Goldfinch at Kempt Tower this week. Image: MD A fair to cloudy day in a moderate north-west wind Mediterranean Gull numbers continue to rise on a daily basis with another 44 seen passing Corbiere this morning. Also passing were 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 4 Manx Shearwaters , a Fulmar , 49 Gannets , 80 Shags , 12 Cormorants , a Common Scoter , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 52 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 26 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Curlews , a Turnstone and 2 Swallows . A Peregrine and a Raven also flew by. At Petit Port were a further 55 Mediterranean Gulls , 42 Black-headed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 7 Little Egrets . 2 Sandwich Terns were at the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay and 2 Peregrines were seen at Jardin d'Olivet. Evening update: At Les Landes were a Wheatear and a Swift and in St Ouen's Bay were a Yellow-legged Gull, 128 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 72 Black-backed Gulls and 10 Mediterranean Gulls . At Grands Vaux reservoir were a Grey Heron , a Common Sandpiper , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In Vallee des vaux was a Firecrest in moult and on Mont Cochon was a Goldcrest with 2 fledged young. At the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 40 Black-headed Gulls with another 3 Black-headed Gulls seen at Rozel. Extra reports for yesterday evening include 147 Black-headed Gulls at La Pulente and Barn Owls seen near Victoria Tower and Les Pres Manor in Grouville.
26.07.2025 Stock Dove in the Sandpits. Image: MD After a little drizzle first thing, it was a mainly cloudy day in a moderate west-northwest wind. a small overnight fall of migrants at St Ouen's Pond involved 20 Sedge Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers , a Whitethroat and 40 Reed Warblers and also seen from first light there, were 15 House Martins , 20 Swallows , 20 Sand Martins , a juvenile Marsh Harrie r, a Kestrel , a Sparrowhawk , a family of 4 Stonechats , 2 Grey Herons, 2 Grey Herons, a Chough and 6 Pochards flying over. At La Pulente were 6 Little Egrets , a Mediterranean Gull and a Grey Seal . On Grouville Common were a Wheatear and a male and juvenile Cirl Bunting . A Grey Heron was seen at Handois reservoir. At sea, off of Corbiere this morning, were a flock of 17 Common Scoters , an adult Roseate Tern , 4 Sandwich Terns , a Manx Shearwater , a Balearic Shearwater , 60 Gannets , a Fulmar , 11 Cormorants , 51 Shags , 35 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 63 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 25 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Whimbrel , 5 Curlews , 2 Peregrines , a juvenile Kestrel , 3 Little Egrets, 3 Swifts , a pod of 6+ Bottle-nosed Dolphins , and on the headland, 11 Rock Pipits and a Chiffchaff . In Petit Port Bay were 29 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 35+ Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Sandwich Terns and a Grey Heron . In St Ouen's Bay this evening were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 96 Great Black-backed Gulls , 67 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Mediterranean Gulls , 45 Black-headed Gulls and a German colour-ringed Ringed Plover . Yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond were a Swift , 15 House Martins , 30 Swallows , 60 Sand Martins , a Common Sandpiper , a Stonechat and a juvenile Marsh Harrier .
