15.05.2025 Little Egret and Oystercatcher in close formation at Corbiere this morning MD
A fine day but with a cool northeasterly wind.
Today's selection of birds passing Corbiere before 10:00, included a Summer-plumaged Black-throated Diver, 33 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Balearic Shearwaters, 20 Guillemots, 4 Fulmars, 29 Gannets, 5 Cormorants, 15 Kittiwakes, an immature Mediterranean Gull, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 38 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Whimbrels, a White Wagtail and 3 Swallows. 2 Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay.
At the Scrape were 30 Swifts, 5 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, a White Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail. Another Shelduck was at Le Pulec, also 4 Little Egrets and Stonechats feeding 3 fledged young. A Swallowtail butterfly was at Beauport Common.
23 Ravens were together at Egypt and another 5 Ravens were at Crabbe, along with 4 Swifts and 5 Swallows. At Plemont were a Puffin, 2 more Ravens, 20 Linnets and 6 Fulmars.
A visit to Les Minquiers today saw 2 Common Terns among the nesting Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls and Oystercatchers, but without any indications that they are going to breed there.
Evening update: 2
Spotted Flycatchers were seen behind the farm at Noirmont this evening.
17.07.2025 A female type Kestrel , probably a juvenile, on the lookout at Corbiere this morning. Image: MD Another grey and overcast morning, giving way to a fine afternoon in a moderate west-southwest wind It was a quieter day for seabirds at Corbiere compared to recent days, with counts including 29 Manx Shearwaters, 14 Balearic Shearwaters, a Guillemot , 55 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 28 Shags , 3 Mediterranean Gulls, a Kittiwake, 31 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 22 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Kestrel , 3 Ravens and also 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins seen. In Petit Port Bay were a Mediterranean Gull , 20 Curlews and 2 Whimbrels . Further along the southwest coast were a Stonechat , a Dartford Warbler , 3 Choughs , 4 Ravens and a Peregrine at Gorselands, and 2 Stonechats at Les Creux. c250 Black-headed Gulls were on the beach at La Haule around lunchtime. In Grouville Bay were 29 Mediterranean Gulls and 245 Black-headed Gulls and at Fliquet were a Grey Heron , a pale-phase Buzzard , a Black-headed Gull , a Kestrel and 7 Swallows .
16.07.2025 Another fine image of a Mediterranean Gull , taken recently in Grouville Bay by Romano A poor day weather-wise today with overcast conditions, rain and drizzle and occasional hill fog, all in a strong southwest wind. Today's update from Les Ecrehous include a Roseate Tern again, with c100 Sandwich Terns , good numbers of fledged juvenile Common Terns, a Whimbrel and 40 Turnstones . In a short period prior to the onset of rain early this morning, counts from Corbiere involved 25 Balearic Shearwaters , 18 Manx Shearwaters , 74 Gannets , 2 Cormorants , 12 Shags , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 51 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 14 Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Ravens . At the Scrape in St Ouen's Bay were 2 Teal , 2 Shovelers , a Grey Heron , a Moorhen , a juvenile Coot , 2 Oystercatchers , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 8 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows while in the Sandpits, were 8 Grey Herons and 23 Swifts . Near the Radisson Hotel in St Aubin's Bay were 55 Black-headed Gulls and 33 Oystercatchers .
15.07.2025 A beautiful image of a Balearic Shearwater , taken previously. Image courtesy of John Ovenden A fair to cloudy day with an increasing west-southwest wind. Passage past Corbiere this morning included a strong movement of 403 Balearic Shearwaters , 16 Manx Shearwaters , 3 Fulmars , 103 Gannets , 13 Guillemots , 66 Shags , 3 Cormorants , 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 16 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , 13 Black-headed Gulls , a Curlew and 2 Grey Seals moving west. 27 Curlews were at Petit Port. Through St Ouen's Bay, 105 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull were at La Pulente, 3 Grey Herons , 7 Little Grebes and a Common Sandpiper were in the Sandpits, 2 Teal and a juvenile Marsh Harrier were at the Scrape, a single Swift was over the Pond and 10 Little Egrets were at Le Pulec. On Les Ecrehous was a Roseate Tern for a second day, 100+ Sandwich Terns and 40 Turnstones . A Grey Wagtail was in Queen's Valley, a Common Sandpiper was pictured passing La Rocque and near the Raddison Hotel in St Aubin's Bay were 132 Black-headed Gulls and 7 Great Black-backed Gulls .
14.07.2025 . Looking a bit the worse for wear, presumably through chasing so many other birds from the Scrape in recent months, the male Shelduck of the family of five is seen there five days ago, since when they have all departed initially to the Sandpits and now onwards. Missing them already! MD Overnight rain had cleared by sunrise this morning, with some showers passing again this afternoon, with winds now firmly back in the southwest. In the Sandpits today were 2 Green Sandpipers , 8 Little Grebes , 8 Little Egrets , 53 Tufted Ducks , 3 Oystercatchers , 206 Coot , 5 Black-headed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 3 Stonechats . At St Ouen's Pond were a Grey Heron , 2 Black-headed Gulls , a Pochard , 3 Swallows and 8 House Martins while at the Scrape and surrounds were a female Shoveler , 2 Teal , a Grey Heron , a male Reed Bunting , 10+ Reed Warblers , 6 Chiffchaffs , a Swift , a juvenile Marsh Harrier and 5 Sand Martins . Seabirds off Corbiere included 51 Manx Shearwaters , 10 Balearic Shearwaters, 11 Guillemots, 11 Fulmars , 62 Gannets , 35 Shags , 6 Cormorants , 10 Mediterranean Gulls , a single Black-headed Gull , 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 16 Great Black-backed Gulls , with 32 Curlews , 2 Whimbrels , 6 Ravens , 2 Kestrels and a Buzzard also seen. At St Aubin were 82 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Redshanks and seen from Pontac were 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 123 Oystercatchers . In Grouville Bay were 16 Curlews , 440 Black-headed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Grey Herons. Some extra reports for yesterday include a Roseate Tern 30 Sandwich Terns, 100+ Common Terns hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and 3 Little Egrets on Les Ecrehous, a Common Sandpiper at Noirmont, 6 Swifts at St Aubin and 2 Greenshanks , a Turnstone and 45 Mediterranean Gulls at La Rocque. Below : A nice video clip of yesterday's Curlew Sandpipers in Grouville Bay, courtesy of Jo Bramley
13.07.2025 A beautiful image of a Curlew Sandpiper in Grouville Bay this morning, courtesy of Romano (RDC) A very warm and clear morning with scattered thunderstorms arriving from the south later this afternoon, winds from the east becoming variable. 2 Curlews Sandpipers , still mostly in breeding plumage, were the pick of today's birds in Grouville Bay. Also seen there were 5 Curlews , a Ringed Plover , 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 136 Black-headed Gulls and a Grey Seal , while on Grouville Common were 3 Cirl Buntings and 4 Greenfinches , one a juvenile. 10 Swifts were over Mont Orgueil. On St Ouen's Pond were 7 Grey Herons , a Pochard and 14 Swallows and there was a report of a Red Kite , seen near the Frances le Sueur Centre. Seen from Corbiere early morning were 11 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Guillemots , 4 Fulmars , 92 Gannets , 12 Cormorants , 15 Mediterranean Gulls, 35 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 28 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Little Egrets arriving from the West, 3 Swifts , a Peregrine and a Collared Dove , not a species often seen there! Offshore were 5+ Bottle-nosed Dolphins . At Petit Port were 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Little Egrets and a Great Black-backed Gull with 2 juveniles. Seen from Grosnez were 3 Grey Herons , 12 Swifts , 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 juvenile Stonechats , a Peregrine and a Green Sandpiper . An Ocean Sunfish passed close in. In St Aubin's Harbour were 4 Redshanks and at the Farmer's Cricket field in St Martin were an adult and a juvenile White Wagtail. A Common Sandpiper was at Grands Vaux reservoir along with 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Below : Another view of today's Curlew Sandpipers , taken by Romano.
12.07.2025 An adult Cormorant passing Corbiere this morning. Image: MD It was another hot and sunny day (27c) in an increasing east-northeast wind. New on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond today were a Teal and a Green Sandpiper . At La Pulente were 82 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Mediterranean Gulls A busier morning for birds passing Corbiere included 3 Common Scoters , 15 Manx Shearwaters , 4 Balearic Shearwaters , 96 Gannets , 5 Guillemots , 9 Cormorants , 12 Shags , a Little Gull , 94 Black-headed Gulls , 28 Mediterranean Gulls , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Turnstones , a Curlew , a Grey Heron , 5 Swifts and 2 Peregrines . 18 Curlews were at Petit Port. 32 Black-headed Gulls and 16 Mediterranean Gulls were at Le Hurel in Grouville Bay and 13 Little Egrets were at La Rocque. Evening update : At Green Island today was a Whimbrel , while at Petit Port this evening were 27 Curlews and a Whimbrel. At Noirmont Woods were a pair of Blackcaps , a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Swallowtail butterlfies.
11.07.2025 Female Marsh Harrier J95 on the rocks at Corbiere. Image: MD A hot and clear day at 31c in a light, becoming moderate, east to northeast wind. A quiet day with many birds heading for cover early on. Odds and ends passing Corbiere early included a Green Sandpiper , 3 Manx Shearwaters , a Guillemot , 68 Gannets , a Fulmar , 5 Black-headed Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 5 Swifts and a Peregrine . At Petit Port were 27 Curlews and a Whimbrel and at La Pulente were 35 Black-headed Gulls . Seen at Grosnez and Les Landes were 18 Gannets , another Green Sandpiper , a Curlew , 3 Little Egrets arriving from the North, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Stonechats , 40 Swallows , at least 16 Swifts , a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel . At Le Pulec were 7 Little Egrets , 5 Cormorants , 2 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Stonechats - two of them juveniles. At or flying over Noirmont were 4 Swifts , 14 Sand Martins , 9 Swallows , 3 Whitethroats and a juvenile Stonechat . 25 Swifts were seen over La Pouquelaye. On Grands Vaux reservoir were a Grey Heron , 2 Tufted Ducks and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In Grouville Bay this afternoon were 29 Black-headed Gulls and 17 Mediterranean Gulls , one of them a juvenile. Yesterday, a Redshank was at Le Hocq and 19 Mediterranean Gulls were at Le Hurel.
10.07.2025 A juvenile Stonechat at Kempt Tower today. Image: MD A fine and warm day with a north-east wind setting in. A visit to Les Ecrehous today saw 52 Turnstones , 50+ Oystercatchers , a Redshank , 9 Sandwich Terns ( not breeding), and good numbers of Common Terns once again. Early movement off Corbiere involved 20 Manx Shearwaters , 8 Balearic Shearwaters , 12 Guillemots , 10 Cormorants , 4 Fulmars , 101 Gannets , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Swifts and 2 Peregrines . Around the corner in Petit Port Bay were 29 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 67 Oystercatchers , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 5 Grey Herons and 7 Little Egrets which included 2 juvenile birds. In St Ouen's Bay, 21 Black-headed Gulls were at La Pulente and another 10 Black-headed Gulls plus a Mediterranean Gull were near La Saline. In the Sandpits were 238 Coot, 34 Tufted Ducks , a Pochard , 6 Little Grebes , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers , 30 Sand Martins , a Little Egret , 3 Common Sandpipers , Stonechats feeding two newly fledged juveniles and 5 Shelduck , presumably the family from the Scrape. A Sparrowhawk flew over the Scrape, but there was little else of interest there. Around Kempt Tower were a pair of Dartford Warblers , 2 juvenile Stonechats , 8+ Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 3+ Reed Warblers in song, and flying overhead, 4 Grey Herons arriving and 8 Sandwich Terns . At La Rocque this morning were 73 Mediterranean Gulls , 22 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Sandwich Terns , 6 Grey Herons , 3 White Wagtails , 2 Swifts and 2 House Martins . A male Cirl Bunting was on Grouville Common and 4 Puffins were seen off Plemont. Extra reports from yesterday : At St Ouen's Pond in the evening were a Common Sandpiper , 2 Swifts , 130 Sand Martins, 120 Swallows , a Reed Bunting , Reed Warblers feeding young and 5 Marsh Harriers including a juvenile bird. Off Plemont were 2 Puffins and at Noirmont were 2 Peregrines . Below : A recent view of Les Blanches Banques in St Ouen's Bay with the Sandpits in the background.
09.07.2025 Thanks again to Romano for this fine picture of a Black-headed Gull in Grouville Bay this week, which was colour-ringed in Belgium in 2021 and is visiting us for the third successive year. Image RDC A fine day as an anticyclone moves in, with winds variable and mostly light. In the Sandpits this morning were 2 Barnacle Geese, 42 Tufted Ducks , a Pochard , 9 Little Grebes , 187 Coot , 4 Oystercatchers , a Common Sandpiper , 10 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Stonechats , a Cetti's Warbler, 3 Grey Herons , a Little Egret and 50+ Sand Martins . On the beach in St Ouen's Bay were at least 15 Black-headed Gulls and on the Scrape were the family of 5 Shelduck , Reed Warblers still in song, a family of Chiffchaffs , a juvenile Marsh Harrier and passing overhead were 2 Choughs , 6 Sand Martins , and a Cormorant . Light morning passage of birds past Corbiere in calm conditions included a Manx Shearwater , 14 Guillemots , 2 Fulmars , 72 Gannets , 13 Cormorants , a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets , 2 Peregrines , a Marsh Harrier , 8 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 16 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Common Sandpiper , a White Wagtail , 4 Swifts and 3 Swallows , while at Petit Port were 26 Curlews and another Common Sandpiper . Passing St Catherine's this morning were 3 Common Scoters and a Whimbrel and at Grands Vaux reservoir were a Kingfisher , a Grey Heron and 2 Bullfinches . Below: A Golden-ringed Dragonfly on the pathway to the Scrape Hide this morning. Image: MD
08.07.2025 Mediterranean Gulls have returned in force already, earlier than the norm, due partly at least to their breeding sites becoming vulnerable to predators with the dry conditions making them more accessible. Thanks to Romano for this beautiful picture of one in Grouville Bay wearing a colour-ring. Image: RDC At Le Hurel this afternoon were 33 Mediterranean Gulls , including 5 ringed birds and also, 47 Black-headed Gulls . A slow trickle of birds past Corbiere this morning included 18 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Manx Shearwaters , 15 Guillemots , 19 Shags , 5 Cormorants , 35 Gannets , 15 Mediterranean Gulls including 3 juveniles, 7 Black-headed Gulls , 38 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Kittiwake , the regular female Marsh Harrier , a Little Egret and 6 Ravens . 10 Curlews were roosting at Petit Port first thing. At Noirmont later morning were 2 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , a Sand Martin and a singing male Dartford Warbler . A Swift flew over Red Houses this afternoon.
