Jersey Birds

15.10.2026 The male Sparrowhawk which is currently frequenting the St Ouen's Pond area. Image: MD An overcast but dry day, in a moderate southwest wind, still mild at 18c Another varied day for species at, or passing Noirmont. Yesterday's Wryneck was still present near the gun bunker, but could be elusive at times. Flying over or arriving were a Ring Ouzel, 91 Song Thrushes , 11 Blackbirds , 34 Skylarks , 392 Woodpigeons , 3 Swallows , 261 Chaffinches , 163 Linnets , 22 Greenfinches , 17 Goldfinches , 10 Siskins , 16 alba Wagtails , 73 Meadow Pipits , 6 Starlings , 6 Stonechats , 45 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , and 2 Grey Herons . Local birds included 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens , 10 Jackdaws and 2 Choughs . At La Rocque were a Knot , 8 Bar-tailed Godwits , 10 Redshanks , a Golden Plover , 35 Grey Plovers , 37 Ringed Plovers , 31 Curlews , 6 Dunlin , 80 Turnstones , 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 4 Sandwich Terns and 6 Swallows . In St Aubin's Bay were 190 Brent Geese and 4 Grey Herons and at Five Oaks were 2 Cattle Egrets . In Les Ormes Valley this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 6 Blackcaps , 4 Firecrests , a Sparrowhawk and 8 Long-tailed Tits , while flying over were 58 Song Thrushes with another 25+ on the ground, 2 Blackbirds , a Skylark , 14 Chaffinches , 2 Siskins , 2 Greenfinches , 5 Goldfinches , 8 Meadow Pipits and 2 Choughs . On Ouaisne Common were a late Willow Warbler , 6 Firecrests , 20 Long-tailed Tits , 18 Chiffchaffs , and 8 Blackcaps . Flying over there, were 120 Woodpigeons , a Siskin , 4 Chaffinches , 6 Meadow Pipits , 2 Choughs and 4 Jackdaws . At Trinity Manor were 14 Cattle Egrets. A Cetti's Warbler was calling at Millais Farm in St Ouen. At Gorselands this morning were 45 Linnets , 28 Chaffinches , and 4 Dartford Warblers , while off Corbiere were 100+ Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Gannets , 20 auk sp and 2 Purple Sandpipers . In Petit Port were 41 Mediterranean Gulls, 13 Turnstones , and 5 Little Egrets . by La Tour Carre in St Ouen's bay were 32 Ringed Plovers . On Grands Vaux this evening were 7 Teal and on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were a male Wigeon , 3 Shovelers , 7 Teal , 4 Water Rails and a Kingfisher . Below: Waders on the beach in Grouville Bay, video courtesy of Jo Bramley

14.10.2026 A beautiful Wryneck at Noirmont today. Image: MD A far better day than of late, with just some high cloud and good visibility, 18c A good selection of species seen over Noirmont, included a Hobby , a Merlin , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , 2 Marsh Harriers , 4 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , 47 Swallows , 510 Woodpigeons , 89 alba Wagtails , 462 Meadow Pipits , 23 Skylarks , 9 Song Thrushes , 18 Blackbirds , mostly arriving, 2 Grey Wagtails , 221 Linnets , 172 Chaffinches , 3 Siskins , 30 Goldfinches , 20 Greenfinches , 73 Starlings , 3 Stock Doves , a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets, 2 Choughs , 4 Ravens , and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . On the ground were a late Wryneck , a Wheatear , 12+ Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 5 Blue Tits and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Passing Beauport were 23 Swallows with c100 Linnets and 40 Starlings in fields there. Passing Victoria Tower were 5 Song Thrushes , 39 Chaffinches , 23 Goldfinches , 7 Linnets , a Siskin , 34 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail , also 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrests . In Grouville Marsh this morning were 20 Blackcaps , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 15 Chiffchaffs , 4 Firecrests , 14 Siskins , a Reed Bunting , 15 Song Thrushes , 4 Stonechats , 8 Water Rails , 3 Bullfinches and a Sparrowhawk , while flying over were a pale-phase Buzzard , 6 other Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier , a Skylark , 2 Linnets , 2 Chaffinches , 10 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail , 5 alba Wagtails , 13 Cattle Egrets and 2 Choughs . At La Rocque were a Knot , a Golden Plover , 33 Grey Plovers , 98 Turnstones , 8 Redshanks , 240 Oystercatchers , 30 Little Egrets and 15 Grey Herons . In St Aubin's Bay, 28 Brent Geese included at least 24 pale-bellied Brent Geese , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 7 Little Egrets , plus 18 Redshanks at St Aubin. A Firecrest was seen in St Andrew's Park. At Grands Vaux were 7 Teal and a Grey Wagtail . 14 Cattle Egrets were at Trinity Manor. At Le Pulec were 2 Stonechats , 2 Pied Wagtails , 12 Rock Pipits , a Peregrine , 12 Little Egrets , 250 Oystercatchers , 13 Black-headed Gulls , 117 Herring Gulls , 28 Shags and 11 Cormorants . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Shoveler , 4 Snipe , 2 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler . In Le Braye Sandpits were 48 Tufted Duck , 4 Pochard , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 12 Little Grebes , 11 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Grey Herons , a Little Egret , 105 Coot and a Stonechat . A Chiffchaff and 20 Long-tailed Tits were at Millais Farm. Below : more images of today's Wryneck MD

13.10.2026 An immature Pintail over the Scrape this morning MD A weak cold front passed through the Island this morning bring a period of rain in a fresh southwest wind. A Common Quail was seen and photographed near St Andrews Park this morning, not high on the list of likely birds, given the date. Prior to the arrival of the rain this morning, birds seen at or passing Noirmont included a Song Thrush , 179 Meadow Pipits , 11 alba Wagtails , 241 Linnets , 11 Greenfinches , 8 Chaffinches , 2 Goldfinches , 8 Stonechats, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 15 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Buzzard , 3 Cormorants and 2 Choughs . c100 Linnets were still present at Beauport. On St Ouen's Pond were 32 Teal , 7 Shovelers, a Grey Heron , 11 alba Wagtails , a Kingfisher , 2 Stonechats , and flying over, 33 Black-headed Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls , and at the Scrape, were an overflying Pintail , 2 Snipe , 2 Sparrowhawks , 10 Stock Doves , 30 Meadow Pipits and 17 Choughs , also flying over in a flock. A feeding party of birds off Corbiere, included several Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Gannets and 3 Balearic Shearwaters . 30 Starlings were seen nearby there too. Cattle Egrets were seen at scattered locations included 7 at Trinity Manor, 2 at St John's Manor and 4 near Motor Mall. On Grands Vaux reservoir were 8 Teal and 2 Grey Herons.

12.10.2026 Thanks go to Tony Morin for this nice image of a Spoonbill at La Rocque today A day of early rain, then overcast conditions in a gusty southerly wind (15c) Gulls found today's conditions to their liking. Counts from Corbiere included 201 Great Black-backed Gulls , 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 175 Mediterranean Gulls , 78 Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Gull , plus c100 Herring Gulls . Also passing Corbiere were 19 Balearic Shearwaters, 22 Razorbills , 5 Guillemots , 6 auk sp , 2 Common Scoters , 68 Gannets , 28 Shags , 2 Grey Herons , 3 Purple Sandpipers and 20 Turnstones . In Petit Port Bay were another 31 Great Black-backed Gulls and 60 Mediterranean Gulls . At the Gunsite, in St Aubin's Bay were 178 Brent Geese , 55 of them pale-bellied Brent, 65 Black-headed Gulls , 15 Oystercatchers . 3 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Pied Wagtails and a Little Egret . A Spoonbill was seen and photographed at La Rocque ( above). There was no visible migration over Noirmont, but in the large field were 52 Meadow Pipits , 6 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff and 2 Dartford Warbler . At St Ouen's Pond were 21 Teal , 3 Shovelers and a Grey Heron and on the Scrape were a Stonechat and a Snipe . In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 88 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 54 Mediterranean Gulls , and a Wheatear was by the Cutty Sark. At Grands Vaux were 7 Teal , and at Grouville Marsh were 13 Cattle Egrets .

11.10.2026 Buzzard over Noirmont MD A cloudy day with good visibility and a far lighter wind that of late, from the southwest. Visible migration over Victoria Tower included a Ring Ouzel , 14 Song Thrushes , 3 Swallows , 103 Chaffinches , 10 Greenfinches , 61 Linnets , 28 Goldfinches , 6 Siskins , 21 Meadow Pipits , 8 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail and 75 Woodpigeons . In a similar vein, passing over Noirmont were a Merlin , 4 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 705 Meadow Pipits , 20 alba Wagtails , 208 Woodpigeons , 2 Stock Doves , 640 Linnets , 78 Chaffinches , 12 Greenfinches , 53 Goldfinches , 2 Starlings , a Grey Heron , a Marsh Harrier , 4 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs , while on the ground were 8 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , 18 Long-tailed Tits , 7 Blue Tits and 3 Dartford Warblers . Offshore were 53 Razorbills/Guillemots , 6 Gannets , 13 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In Grouville Marsh this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 20 Blackcaps , 4 Firecrests , 4 Siskins , 12 Cetti's Warblers , 6 Stonechats , 4 Blackbirds , 8 Song Thrushes , 20 Long-tailed Tits , good numbers of both Great Tits and Blue Tits , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers , 2 Bullfinches , 90 Jackdaws , 8 Water Rails , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Marsh Harriers , and flying over there, were 25 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 8 Chaffinches , 15 Meadow Pipits and a Grey Heron . In Grouville Bay and at La Rocque were a Golden Plover , 31 Grey Plovers , 19 Ringed Plovers , 10 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Knot , 77 Turnstones , 32 Dunlin , 120 Sanderlings , 13 Redshanks , 16 Grey Herons , 18 Little Egrets including a regular Welsh colour-ringed bird, a Common Gull , 5 Sandwich Terns , 250 Black-headed Gulls , 170 Brent Geese , two of them pale-bellied Brent, and 2 Grey Seals . At Rue des Fonds were 38 Cattle Egrets . Good numbers of Balearic Shearwaters and auks were passing Corbiere early on, while in St Aubin's Bay were 73 Brent Geese , 30 of them pale - bellied Brent, 3 Grey Herons , 3 Curlews , and 15 Redshanks plus 4 Turnstones at the St Aubin roost. At Grands Vaux were a Grey Heron , 2 Teal and 2 Bullfinches . Up at Les Landes were 2 Marsh Harriers , a Buzzard , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , 42 Meadow Pipits , 15 Goldfinches , 2 Greenfinches , 2 Stonechats and 2 Ravens . Yesterday , in Grouville Marsh were 2 Swallows , 90 Jackdaws , 10 Chiffchaffs , 4 Water Rails , 2 Marsh Harriers , and at Grands Vaux were 7 Teal .

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 .