Jersey Birds

28.10.2025 Woodpigeons diving for cover at Noirmont yesterday, due to the presence of two Peregrines ! Image: MD A mainly dry, but cloudy, day, mild at 15c in a fresh to strong westerly wind. The Woodpigeon migration season is starting to kick in across the Island and today 400 were seen at La rocque and another 350 at Beauport. A good passage of seabirds was seen from Grosnez this morning. Counts from there included 2 Balearic Shearwaters , a Manx Shearwater , one Fulmar , 185 Razorbills , 130 Gannets , 12 Sandwich Terns , a Little Gull , 391 Kittiwakes , 43 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 23 Great Black-backed Gulls , 282 Herring Gulls , mainly young birds, also 21 Shags , a Little Egret a Raven and a Kestrel . At L'Etacq were a Peregrine , 3 Ravens , 2 Choughs and 6 Rock Pipits and at the Wetland centre were 12 Shovelers . Seen from the GaP Hide at the Sandpits were a bathing Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 150 Coot , c100 Tufted Duck , 23 Little Grebes , 5 Pochard and 4 Grey Herons . On the East side of the island, 15 Cattle Egrets were at the Happy Hens and 35 Cattle Egrets were by Holme Grown. At La Sente were 2 Grey Herons , 40 Stock Doves , 2 Stonechats and 5 Ravens and in Queen's Valley were a Kingfisher , 3 Teal , 5 Greenshanks , 2 Grey Herons , 32 Tufted Duck , 2 Grey Wagtails and a Firecrest . 7 Grey Herons were behind the Seymour Inn and at the south end of Grouville Marsh were 3 Stonechats , 25 Chiffchaffs , 2 Cetti's Warblers , a Bullfinch and 2 Marsh Harriers . At Le Hocq were 40 Curlews , 19 Brent Geese i ncluding 7 juveniles, 30 Oystercatchers and a Sandwich Tern and in Robin Bay were 23 Sanderlings , 18 Turnstones , 25 Grey Plovers, 3 Brent Geese and 15 Oystercatchers . In fields around La Coupe were 22 Common Gulls , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , 126 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests , and flying over were 3 Song Thrushes , 6 Siskins , and a few Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits . 3 Cattle Egrets were at Rozel Manor. 2 Cormorants were feeding at Bouley Bay and 2 Choughs were at Sion. In Vallee des Vaux were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests and 3 Chiffchaffs . On the Farmer's Cricket Ground were 26 Pied Wagtails , 2 White Wagtails , 15 Meadow Pipits and 6 Goldfinches .

27.10.2025 One of two immature Peregrines which were operating at Noirmont today. Image: MD Early rain soon cleared, leaving a cloudy day with a strong west-northwest wind. Another windy morning at Corbiere saw a Merlin , 587 Razorbills , 16 Guillemots , 6 Common Scoters , one Manx Shearwater , 44 Gannets , 67 Kittiwakes , 23 Mediterranean Gulls , 14 Black-headed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 15 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Kestrels , in a three hour period. On St Ouen's Pond were 22 Shovelers and a Little Grebe . There was little by way of passerine migration via Noirmont, which was not surprising given the conditions, but among the few birds seen were 122 Woodpigeon , 4 Song Thrushes , 2 Blackbirds , a Redwing , 19 Linnets , 2 Goldfinches , 2 Chaffinches , 2 Pied wagtails, 3 Meadow Pipits , 2 Peregrines , a Buzzard , a Raven , also 3 Red Admiral butterflies. Among the birds in Grouville Bay were 1,207 Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 8 Ringed Plovers , 48 Sanderlings , 6 Redshanks , a Common Gull, 40 Linnets , 20 alba Wagtails , 6 Meadow Pipits and a Stonechat ,and 32 Cattle Egrets were by Holme Grown. In fields behind La Rocque were a Cattle Egret, 2 Common Gulls , 3 Stonechats , 5 Meadow Pipits , a Chiffchaff , a Song Thrush and a Siskin . In the fields by Grouville Parish Hall were 50 Goldfinches , 35 Chaffinches and 3 Meadow Pipits . At the top end of Queen's Valley reservoir was a Kingfisher and 7 Greenshanks were roosting farther down the reservoir. 10 Cattle Egrets were at Rozel Manor and at La Coupe were 4 Common Gulls , 2 Goldcrests , and a Sparrowhawk , while at Victoria Tower were 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest with a few Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Goldfinches passing overhead. At the Farmer's Cricket ground in St Martin were 22 Pied Wagtails , 2 White Wagtails and 12 Meadow Pits and at the pond in the Government House grounds were a Grey Heron and a Buzzard .

26.10.2025 Immature Gannets passing Grosnez this morning. Image: MD A mainly dry, but cloudy day in a brisk northwest wind. A Bittern was seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning. Seawatching from Corbiere saw a Sabine's Gull, 13 Little Gulls , 75 Mediterranean Gulls , 51 Black-headed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 52 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 93 Gannets , 105 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 2 Common Scoters , 3 Brent Geese , a Peregrine and 7 Chaffinches . In similar mode, counts from Grosnez included 2 Brent Geese , 2 Balearic Shearwaters , 124 Gannets , 87 Razorbills , 38 Little Gulls , 101 Black-headed Gulls , 91 Mediterranean Gulls, 105 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 13 Great Black-backed Gulls , 128 Herring Gulls , 22 Shags , 4 Ravens and 5 Meadow Pipits . A Wheatear was on Les Blanches Banques and at Petit Port were 31 Curlews and 180 Oystercatchers while at St Aubin were 28 Redshanks and 5 Turnstones . Cattle Egrets seen today included 50 + at La Petit Sente, with 1 Swallow also seen there, 2 at Mont a L'Abbe, 4 near Rozel Manor and 3 in Rue des Alleurs. At La Sente this morning were 6 Swallows , 9 Starlings , a Kestrel and 4 Ravens and at Le Petit Pre were 2 Buzzards , a Stonechat and 6 Long-tailed Tits . In Robin Bay at La Rocque were 42 Grey Plovers , 95 Oystercatchers , a Dunlin , 2 Little Egrets and 6 Swallows , with Curlews far out and 6 Little Egrets were at Le Hocq Lane.

25.10.2025 Formerly an extreme rarity in Jersey, Caspian Gulls are now being seen on a more regular basis, mainly on the West of the Island. This first winter individual was pictured recently at Petit Port by Romano. RDC Early morning showers soon cleared to leave a cool and mainly cloudy day in a fresh northwest wind. Seabirds were moving past Corbiere again this morning, although not in such great numbers as yesterday. Seen in three hours from sunrise were a Balearic Shearwater , 2 Common Scoters, a Brent Goose, 13 Cormorants, 93 Gannets, 279 Razorbills, 3 Guillemots, 55 Kittiwakes, 53 Mediterranean Gulls, 75 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 12 Great Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were an arriving Peregrine , 2 Stonechats , 2 Pied Wagtails and 18 Meadow Pipits. At Petit Port were 27 Curlews , a Kingfisher , 17 Ringed Plovers , 5 Little Egrets and 17 Great Black-backed Gulls . A few migrants seen later morning at Noirmont included 10 Swallows, 242 Woodpigeons , on the first day of significant movement for this species, 3 Stock Doves , 3 Starlings , a Pied Wagtail , 44 Meadow Pipits, 52 Linnets , 14 Goldfinches , 6 Chaffinches , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Goldcrest , a Chiffchaff , a Dartford Warbler , 2 Little Egrets and 3 Red Admiral butterflies. On Beauport Common were 6 Stonechats , a Black Redstart and 4 Linnets and by St Brelade's Church was a Grey Wagtail . Another Black Redstart and a Blackcap were in a garden on Route de la Haule. On St Ouen's Pond were 37 Shovelers and in a field behind the Pond were 9 alba Wagtails . 29 Cattle Egrets were at Grouville Marsh and 2 Little Egrets were at Rozel Harbour. At St Catherine's were 3 Cormorants , up to 20 Long-tailed Tits and a few Blue Tits feeding on Hawthorn berries. Evening Update: In Vallee des Vaux were 2 Siskins, a Grey Wagtail, a Redwing, a Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , a Bullfinch and 8 Greenfinches and at Ronez were a Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , a Chiffchaff and a Grey Wagtail . Below : Corbiere Lighthouse on this morning's high tide. Image: MD

24.10.2025 Great Northern Diver passing Corbiere this morning. Image: MD Another day of squally showers in a strong west to northwest wind It was a good day for seabirds passing Corbiere, relocating West after the recent storm. Morning-long counts there included a Great Northern Diver , a Pomarine Skua , 2 Arctic Skuas , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 4 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Common Scoters , 110 Gannets , 716 Razorbills , 24 Guillemots , 233 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 38 Great Black-backed Gulls, 112 Kittiwakes , 43 Mediterranean Gulls , 35 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Common Gulls , 7 Cormorants , and 8 Shags , also 2 alba Wagtails overhead. 55 Great Black-backed Gulls and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on rocks in Petit Port Bay. On Grouville Common were 3 Wheatears , 3 Swallows , 12 Pied Wagtails, 4 White Wagtails , 16 Linnets and 12 Meadow Pipits . Seen from the Wetland Centre at St Ouen's Pond were 33 Teal and 32 Shovelers . Garden birds in Vallee des Vaux included 6 Chiffchaffs , 3 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , a Grey Wagtail , a Redwing , 2 Song Thrushes and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers . Below : More images of that Great Northern Diver ! Image: MD

23.10.2025 Suitable for a day like today- a Water Rail on the Scrape a few days back. Image: MD Storm Benjamin brought plenty of rain overnight, then gale force winds from the West-northwest. Despite the conditions, a few hardy birds were still flying today. Seen from Noirmont this morning were a Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 102 Starlings , 144 Meadow Pipits , 6 Pied Wagtails , 47 Linnets , 10 Goldfinches , 7 Chaffinches , a Song Thrush , a Redwing , 2 Blue Tits , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , and on the ground, mainly heard rather than seen, were a Stonechat , a Firecrest , a Goldcrest and a Dartford Warbler . Offshore were 8 Gannets , 35 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Cormorant . In Causie Lane, St Clement, were a Great White Egret and 2 Little Egrets, and over Gorey were 2 Swallows . At La Lourderie were 10 Cattle Egrets and a Raven , and a Kingfisher was near the Parish church in St Brelade's Bay.

22.10.2025 This Willow Warbler , of the East European race acredula , was ringed and released in Vallee des Vaux yesterday, a very late date for the species to still be in these latitudes. Many thanks go to David Buxton for the image. DB A pleasant morning in light westerly winds, was replaced by heavy rain and an increasing southeast wind, ahead of gales forecast for tonight. Counts from Noirmont through this morning involved 33 Swallows , 2 House Martins , 20 Skylarks , 31 Starlings , a Brambling , 521 Chaffinches, 436 Linnets , 112 Goldfinches , 6 Siskins , 62 Pied Wagtails , 288 Meadow Pipits , over 30 Blackbirds , 11 Song Thrushes , 20+ Stonechats , 48 Woodpigeons , 3 Stock Doves, 7 Dartford Warblers , 2 Blackcaps , 2 Firecrests , 4 Blue Tits , 2 Grey Herons , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , a pale-phased Buzzard and 7 Red Admiral butterflies. Passing offshore there, were a distant Diver sp , 8 Common Scoters , 10 Brent Geese , 3 Razorbills , 11 auk sp , 21 Mediterranean Gulls , 54 Black-headed Gulls , 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 20 Gannets and 2 Cormorants . Passing Victoria Tower first thing were 3 Swallows , 63 Starlings , 7 Song Thrushes , 2 Redwings , 69 Chaffinches , 18 Linnets , 17 Goldfinches , 5 Siskins , 17 Meadow Pipits , 4 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail , 7 Stock Doves , and a Grey Heron , with 2 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap and 3 Goldcrests on the ground. In Les Ormes Valley this morning were the first Woodcock of the Autumn, 6 Redpolls , 8 Blackcaps , 20 Chiffchaffs , 5 Firecrests , 12 Goldcrests , 8 Redwings , 6 Song Thrushes , 6 Blackbirds , 2 Water Rails , 10 Robins , a Bullfinch , and 14 Long-tailed Tits , while passing overhead were a Sparrowhawk , 12 Siskins , 60 Chaffinches , 3 Greenfinches , 5 Skylarks , 3 Starlings , a Reed Bunting , 4 Meadow Pipits , and an alba Wagtail . On Ouaisne Common were 50 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Firecrests, 3 Siskins, a Dartford Warbler, a Water Rail and a Sparrowhawk. Another Dartford Warbler was seen at Beauport. At Les Landes were 2 Marsh Harriers , a Buzzard , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , 40 Meadow Pipits , 4 Stonechats , a Swallow , a Greenfinch , a Raven , 5 Choughs , and 96 Crows - more a massacre than a murder! 122 Oystercatchers , a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets and 27 Cormorants were at Le Pulec. On the East of the Island, 33 Cattle Egrets were near Holme Grown and at Fauvic were 5 Teal , 5 Swallows , 2 Stonechats , a Wheatear and at La Lourderie, near La Rocque, were another 14 Cattle Egrets. 2 Stonechats were at Mont a L'Abbe.

21.10.2025 Many thanks go to Susan Renouf for this fine image of the Bittern which was on the Scrape yesterday. SR A day of squally showers, lessening in the afternoon, with a fresh to strong west-southwest wind, but mild at 15c After a few days with little by way of visible migration, Noirmont was busy throughout this morning, especially with the smaller passerines. Counts included 20 Swallows , a House Martin , 11 Skylarks, 6 Song Thrushes , 4 Blackbirds , a Merlin , a Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 152 Pied Wagtails , 564 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail , 14 Starlings , 752 Chaffinches, 764 Linnets, 220 Goldfinches, 58 Siskins , 10 Greenfinches , 8 Stonechats , a Firecrest , a Goldcrest , a Long-tailed Tit and 2 Dartford Warblers . Passing offshore were 9 Razorbills , 6 Gannets and 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Early morning passage past Victoria Tower involved 7 Swallows , 4 Song Thrushes , 239 Chaffinches , 22 Linnets , 10 Meadow Pipits , a Pied Wagtail , 3 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldcrests . In St Ouen's Bay Sandpits were 7 Pochard (one female), a female Wigeon , 62 Tufted Duck , 20 Little Grebes , 32 Cormorants , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Caspian Gull , 30 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Gull and a Common Sandpiper while on St Ouen's Pond were 29 Shovelers , a Lapwing , 2 Marsh Harriers , 40 Goldfinches , 50 Linnets , 4 Stonechats and a male Reed Bunting . A Dunlin visited the Scrape. Around the fields by Grouville Parish Hall were 75 Chaffinches , 50 Goldfinches , 8 Greenfinches , 4 Stonechats , a House Martin and a Sparrowhawk and in the fields behind La Rocque were a Skylark , 32 Swallows feeding, 40 Starlings , 12 Stonechats , a Goldcrest and a Sparrowhawk , while flying over there, were 38 Chaffinches , 16 Meadow Pipits , a Redwing , 2 Song Thrushes , 12 Linnets and a Siskin . On Mont es Neaux was a Wheatear and over Woodlands Apartments in Grouville were 3 House Martins and 3 Swallows . At Holme Grown, Fauvic, were 28 Cattle Egrets and 3 Ravens and around the mud pond at Queen's Valley were a Teal and 14 Siskins . 10 Swallows were seen by Trinity Manor. Early on, at Rue Pignon in St Clement was a Barn Owl . In Grouville Bay, Brent Geese numbers had risen to 1,276 and also there, were 2 Great Crested Grebes , 2 Wheatears , 25 Linnets , 20 alba Wagtails , 30 Meadow Pipits . Seen from Seymour Slip were 205 Sanderlings , 30 Dunlin , 55 Turnstones , 3 Bar-tailed Godwits , 36 Redshanks , 16 Grey Plovers , 20 Swallows and another Wheatear . At Grouville Marsh were 3 Stonechats , 2 Blackcaps , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Siskins , 15 Meadow Pipits , 7 Song Thrushes , 2 Water Rails , 5 Cetti's Warblers , a Grey Wagtail , 4 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk . Evening update : A late acredula Willow Warbler was in a garden in Vallee des Vaux this afternoon, as well as 4 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps , 2 Siskins , 4 Song Thrushes , 9 Long-tailed Tits , and a Short-toed Treecreeper , with a Fieldfare and a Sparrowhawk flying over there too.

20.10.2025 This 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull , pictured by Romano in Petit Port Bay, was ringed on Rauna Island, Southern Norway, in July. RDC A fierce day of heavy showers and a south-southwest veering west-southwest wind F6, but mild at 15c. It was a difficult day for birding, given the conditions, so the first Bittern of the Autumn, seen on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond was a real bonus. On St Ouen's Pond were 35 Shovelers , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 40 Black-headed Gulls and a Stonechat . Another first for the Autumn was a Great Northern Diver seen from a gusty Corbiere as it headed into the relative shelter of St Ouen's Bay. Also seen from Corbiere were a Balearic Shearwater , 14 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 12 Gannets , 4 Cormorants , 14 Shags , 66 Mediterranean Gulls, a Kittiwake , 83 Black-headed Gulls , 70 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull, 62 Great Black-backed Gulls , 70 Herring Gulls and 37 Curlews . A few hardy passerines flying over there, included 14 Chaffinches , 4 Linnets , a Grey Wagtail , a Pied Wagtail , 4 Starlings , the usual Rock Pipits and a Raven . A short watch from Noirmont saw a Gannet , 2 Razorbills , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , 2 Shags and on the ground, a Firecrest and a Blackbird . Up to 40 Brent Geese were at Le Hurel slip in Grouville Bay. 3 Swallows were seen at Mont a L'Abbe and in a Vallee des Vaux garden were 2 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Song Thrushes. This evening, at the Wetland Centre, were 32 Shovelers, a Snipe, and 45 Black-headed Gulls, while at L'Etacq were 120 Black-headed Gulls . At Petit Port were a Curlew , 8 Great Black-backed Gulls and 37 Herring Gulls . Below : Thanks as ever, go to Jo Bramley for her cute video of the Jack Snipe at the Scrape yesterday, in usual feeding mode.