Jersey Birds

18.10.2025 A Woodlark over Noirmont this morning in the "no wings' mode. Image: MD A day of high clouds ahead of the forecast deterioration in the weather tonight. Winds were fresh and gusty form the southeast. It was a busy morning at Noirmont with migrants heading off in the clear conditions. Counts morning-long included 3 Woodlarks , 2 Skylarks , 53 Swallows , 13 Song Thrushes , 6 Blackbirds , 7 Stonechats , 1,479 Chaffinches , 152 Siskins , 226 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches , a Greenfinch , 73 Wood Pigeons , 5 Stock Doves, 123 Meadow Pipits , 8 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail, 7 Starlings , 6 unidentified wader sp, also a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Kestrels , 4 Buzzards , 2 Choughs and 4 Ravens . On the ground were 4 Goldcrests , a Chiffchaff and 2 Dartford Warblers . A Swallow was seen at Portelet too. Early morning counts at Victoria Tower included 233 Starlings , 11 Swallows , 12 Redwings , 5 Song Thrushes , 4 Blackbirds , 669 Chaffinches , 3 Bramblings , 81 Siskins , 33 Meadow Pipits , 11 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 8 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , 18 Goldcrests and 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . At the Wetland Center in St Ouen's Bay were 33 Shovelers , 2 Teal , 4 Wigeon , a Snipe and a Grey Heron and on the Scrape were, briefly, were 19 Stock Doves . In Petit Port Bay were 32 Curlews , 170 Oystercatchers , 4 1st winter Caspian Gulls , 56 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls and 37 Herring Gulls, with all birds being disturbed from roost the several times by a combination of Fishermen walking out on the rocks despite the warning notices, kayakers and a swimmer! At Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 5 Stonechats , 27 Starlings , a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels . On the small Pond in St Peter's Valley opposite Granite Products were a Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail . Elsewhere, 34 Cattle Egrets were near to Holmegrown at Fauvic again and 3 Ravens were at Rozel Harbour. Below : Sunrise at Noirmont this morning. Image: MD

16.10.2025 One of many Ravens currently on the Island, seen here passing Noirmont. Image: MD A fair to cloudy day, still in an east-northeasterly wind and feeling cool at 15c The pick of migrants passing Noirmont this morning was a Yellowhammer, once a scarce resident on the Island, now only a rare migrant. Linnets again made up the bulk of visible migrants there with 1,087 counted. Also passing were a Merlin , 41 Swallows , 4 Skylarks , a Fieldfare , 20 Song Thrushes , 24 Blackbirds , 6 Stonechats , 2 Bramblings , 334 Chaffinches , 24 Goldfinches , a Grey Wagtai l, 41 Pied Wagtails, 229 Meadow Pipits , 13 Stock Doves , 25 Woodpigeons , a Goldcrest , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , 6 Robins , 2 Cormorants and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, with 2 Common Scoter passing offshore. Local birds included 2 Dartford Warblers , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Kestrels , Buzzards , 2 Choughs , 4 Ravens and 75 Crows in a single flock. Also passing were 4 Red Admirals . The first 2 Woodlarks of the Autumn passed Victoria Tower early morning. Also seen there, were 102 Swallows , 4 Redwings , 23 Song Thrushes , 676 Chaffinches , 114 Linnets , 77 Goldfinches , 37 Siskins , 11 Greenfinches , 69 Meadow Pipits, 12 Pied Wagtails, 3 Snipe , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 49 Black-headed Gulls , a Grey Heron and on the ground were 11 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 19 Goldcrests and 3 Firecrests . In Grouville Bay were 3 Wigeon , 550 Brent Geese , 165 Sanderlings , 44 Dunlin , 26 Grey Plovers , a Redshank , a Bar-tailed Godwit and 22 Curlews , while at Holmegrown were 39 Cattle Egrets . A Little Egret and 2 Kestrels were at Rozel Harbour. A Ring Ouzel put in a brief appearance at Petit Port this afternoon, where 8 Teal , 28 Curlews , a Lapwing , a Kingfisher , a Common Gull and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls were present and 8 Ringed Plovers plus 6 Turnstones were roosting close by, at Le Grouet. 300 Brent Geese were in St Aubin's Bay this afternoon. Below : Two "record shots" of today's Yellowhammer in the gloom at Noirmont. Images: MD

15.10.2025 Linnets were moving over Noirmont in good numbers this morning, with a few dropping in for food en-route, including these two. Image: MD Another mainly gloomy day, with the continuing east-northeast wind and feeling cool at 15c. Early morning passage past Victoria Tower included 132 Redwings , 18 Fieldfares , a Mistle Thrush , 34 Song Thrushes , 2 Blackbirds , 21 Swallows , 152 Chaffinches , 4 Greenfinches , 32 Goldfinches , 11 Pied Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , 33 Meadow Pipits , a Cattle Egret, a Grey Heron , 24 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Chiffchaffs and 6 Goldcrests . A short watch early on, from Vallee des Vaux saw a Fieldfare , 12 Redwings , 10 Song Thrushes, 3 Siskins , 18 Chaffinches and 5 Woodpigeons . Seen morning-long at or passing over Noirmont were 4 Mute Swans of unknown origin, a Merlin , 78 Swallows , 7 Skylarks , 92 Song Thrushes , a Mistle Thrush , a Fieldfare , 2 Redwings , 23 Blackbirds , 2 Wheatears , 6 Stonechats , 1,480 Linnets , 284 Chaffinches , 27 Goldfinches , 4 Greenfinches , 88 Pied Wagtails , 109 Meadow Pipits , 17 Starlings , 66 Woodpigeons , a Firecrest , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Dartford Warble r, 5 Cormorants , 2 Peregrines , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Kestrels including a migrant bird, 2 Choughs , 2 Ravens and a Red Admiral . At La Crete quarry were a Peregrine and 3 Ravens , and at Fauvic were 22 Cattle Egrets . On Grouville Common were a Wheatear , 2 Stonechats , 4 Cirl Buntings , 2 Pied Wagtails and 9 Meadow Pipits . 2 Little Egrets were at Rozel. At the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 150 Brent Geese and a Great Crested Grebe . In St Ouen's Bay were 6 Ringed Plovers , 36 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed gulls , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 7 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Gull and a Wheatear and on the Scrape were 3 Lapwings . In Petit Port Bay were 27 Curlews , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 120 Oystercatchers , 4 Little Egrets and 17 Crows . At Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel . Below : A distant view of four Mute Swans passing North of Noirmont in this morning's gloom. Image: MD

14.10.2025 This Chiffchaff , one of 56 trapped and released by David yesterday, was already wearing an English ring. Image: DB A fair to cloudy day with good visibility in a fresh East-northeast wind. The current conditions are encouraging some good migration over the Island. Redwings and Song Thrushes were heard over Vallee des Vaux last night and seen early this morning at Victoria Tower were 334 Redwings, 81 Fieldfares , 17 Song Thrushe s,2 Stonechats3 Blackbirds , a Skylark , 28 Swallows , 54 Starlings , 238 Chaffinches , 34 Goldfinches , 33 Linnets , 20 Siskins , 74 Meadow Pipits , 13 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail, 10 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Cormorants . In similar vein, birds at and over Noirmont included 41 Fieldfares , 14 Redwings , 38 Song Thrushes , 11 Blackbirds , 26 Swallows , 4 House Martins , 10 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting, 36 Starlings , 21 Woodpigeons , 7 Pied Wagtails , 132 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail, 338 Linnets , 13 Siskins , 307 Chaffinches , 28 Goldfinches , 3 Greenfinches , 3 Wheatears , 9 Stonechats , a Snipe , 3 Dartford Warblers , 2 Jays , 4 Choughs , 6 Ravens , a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 6 Buzzards , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 3 Chiffchaffs , 8 Robins , 11 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Red Admirals . Further Redwings included 30+ over Rue des Charrieres in St Peter, with 2 Stonechats also there, 5 Redwings over Grantez and 6 Redwings over Beauport. In Les Ormes Valley this morning were 15 Chiffchaffs , 14 Blackcaps , 15 Robins , 10 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 18 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Bullfinches , 20 Song Thrushes , 12 Fieldfares , 32 Redwings , 2 Siskins , 9 Skylarks , 25 Chaffinches , a Linnet, 2 Stonechats and 10 Meadow Pipits . Later morning, at Ouaisne, were 20 Chiffchaffs , 4 Blackcaps , 16 Long-tailed Tits , 5 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 6 Linnets , 3 Choughs and a Grey Heron . At the Wetland Centre were a Green Sandpiper , 26 Teal , 23 Shovelers , 8 Grey Herons , a Reed Bunting , 4 Marsh Harriers , 12 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Mute Swans . A Wheatear was seen at Les Landes. At La Rocque were 353 Brent Geese , 12 Little Egrets , a Grey Heron , 150 Oystercatchers , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 95 Starlings . A Common Sandpiper was at Queen's Valley reservoir. At Mont a L'Abbe were 4 Cattle Egrets .

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.

12.10.2025 A local resident Kestrel at Noirmont this week. Image: MD A cloudy morning and a fair to fine afternoon in a moderate easterly wind (15c) Despite the searches this morning, the Bay-breasted Warbler has not been located today, and given last night's clear conditions, it is quite possible that it has now moved on. Seen at Ouaisne were a Kingfisher , 2 Pied Wagtails , 2 Skylarks , 30 Swallows , a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Firecrests , several Long-tailed Tits and 5 Chiffchaffs . A busier day for migrants at Noirmont included 345 Swallows , 2 Sand Martins , 4 House Martins , 5 Skylarks , a Blackbird , 803 Linnets , 203 Chaffinches , 7 Goldfinches , 265 Meadow Pipits , 33 alba Wagtails , 12 Woodpigeons , 2 Peregrines , 2 Sparrowhawks , a Kestrel , 8 Stonechats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 2 Choughs and 2 Ravens , also 2 Red Admirals . At Petit Port were 39 Curlews , 3 Turnstones , a Kingfisher , 147 Oystercatchers and 12 Little Egrets and between First Tower and Bel Royal in St Aubin's Bay were 82 Brent Geese . A Kingfisher was at Le Perquage, Beaumont and seen from the Wetland Centre at St Ouen's Pond were 22 Shovelers , a Mediterranean Gull , 2 Stonechats , 2 Wheatears and 20 alba Wagtails . In Robin Bay at La Rocque were 42 Grey Plovers, a Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstones , 66 Oystercatchers , 3 Wheatears , a Pied Wagtail and 10 Swallows and a further 5 Swallows were over Le Bourg Slip. By the Grouville Parish Depot were 7 Cattle Egrets and a Swallow was at Woodlands Farm. Elsewhere, A Kingfisher was seen in Rue de la Scelleterie in St Lawrence, there was a report of a late Honey Buzzard from La Rue de la Douaire in St John and at Le Don Laurens were 14 Grey Herons , 11 Little Egrets , 2 Swallows , 200 Linnets and 7 Ravens . This evening, on Queen's Valley reservoir were 57 Tufted Duck, another Kingfisher , 3 Ravens , 7 Firecrests , 11 Cormorants , 289 Herring Gulls, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Heron and in St Ouen's Bay were 36 Mediterranean Gulls .

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