Jersey Birds

17.08.2026 Another great image from John Ovenden, this time of a Common Dolphin and Manx Shearwater in flight at the same time! A much cloudier, and cooler day than of late, with a few spots of drizzle mid-morning, winds from the West. Evening update: 2 Black Terns were feeding at St Ouen's Pond at last light this evening. Around the north side of St Ouen's Pond this morning were a Yellow Wagtail and 80 Swallows out of roost, also 8 Sedge Warbers , 10 Willow Warblers , 20 Reed Warblers, a Blackcap , 18 House Martins , 2 Sand Martins , 60 Starlings , a Stonechat and on St Ouen's Pond were 5 Teal , a Shoveler , 13 Tufted Ducks , a Little Grebe , 3 Grey Herons and 93 Black-headed Gulls . Seen in flight were a juvenile Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Marsh Harriers , a Common Sandpiper , a Ringed Plover and 3 Ravens . In the Sandpits were a Great Crested Grebe , 12 Little Grebes, 6 Common Sandpipers , a Snipe and a Teal . In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were the third different Caspian Gull of recent days, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls , 185 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 94 Great Black-backed Gulls and 136 Mediterranean Gulls . A much quieter morning at Corbiere saw 15 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Fulmars , 65 Gannets , 11 Cormorants , 24 Sandwich Terns , 50 Mediterranean Gulls , 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 11 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Great Black-backed Gulls and 9 Swallows fly by in three hours. At Petit Port were 47 Mediterranean Gulls , 23 Curlews and a Whimbrel and at Le Pulec were 3 Stonechats and 3 Choughs . Most of yesterday's fall of migrants at Noirmont had gone on their way by this morning with just a male Redstart and 40 Swallows seen. A pair of Collared Doves were nest building in a garden at Beauport. In Vallee des Vaux, Firecrests were feeding young, a Whitethroat was in a garden in St Martin and a Peregrine was seen near Petit Becquet on the north coast.

15.08.2026 A Storm Petrel off the West coast of Jersey, image courtesy of John Ovenden The fine and warm weather continued for another day today, with some high cloud early on which cleared to clear skies. Winds were from the North Gulls continued to appear in good numbers at Corbiere today and through the course of the morning, counts included 1,640 Herring Gulls, 372 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 184 Great Black-backed Gulls , 78 Black-headed Gulls , 44 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull , 52 Sandwich Terns , a Common Gull , 8 Manx Shearwaters, a single Balearic Shearwater , 4 Fulmars , 79 Gannets , a Grey Heron , 24 Cormorants , 47 Shags , 23 Curlews , 2 Turnstones and a Common Sandpiper , with a Wheatear briefly of the rocks there. At Petit Port were 8 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 42 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Cormorants and in St Ouen's Bay were 16 Yellow-legged Gulls , 245 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 115 Great Black-backed Gulls and 65 Mediterranean Gulls . At Le Pulec were a Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Stonechats , 2 Willow Warblers , 2 Common Sandpipers and a Grey Seal . There was little visible migration over Noirmont, but on the ground there, were a Common Redstart, a Whinchat , 2 Whitethroats , 3 Wheatears , 10 Dartford Warblers and 5 Willow Warblers . 3 Stonechats and a Willow Warbler were on Beauport Common. 12 Redshanks were at St Aubin. Around La Rocque were 257 Oystercatchers , 4 Turnstones , 3 Common Sandpipers and 11 Sandwich Terns and nearby, in Rue du Pont were 167 Black-backed Gulls , 48 Herring Gulls , 28 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , also 24 Swallows and 7 House Martins on the wires there. At the Farmer's Cricket Ground in St Martin were 3 White Wagtails.

14.08.2026 Today was about gulls, with large numbers on the West coast, notably Lesser Black-backed Gulls, as they begin their southward migration. MD Yet another warm and dry day with clear skies, but a northwest wind to add some cooling to the scene. Passing Corbiere heading West before 10:am, were 413 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 820 Herring Gulls , both these species including a large proportion of juvenile birds. Also seen were 136 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 115 Mediterranean Gulls, 89 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake , 143 Balearic Shearwaters , 24 Manx Shearwaters , 3 Fulmars , 103 Gannets , 24 Sandwich Terns , 18 Cormorants , 20 Shags , 3 Grey Herons , 3 Little Egrets , 40 Curlews , and a Common Sandpiper . In Petit Port were 84 Mediterranean Gulls , 16 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Grey Herons . This afternoon, in St Ouen's Bay were a Caspian Gull , 27 Yellow-legged Gulls , 853 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 109 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull , 48 Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Sandpiper . On the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn, were 150 Swallows , 8 Sand Martins, 20 Sedge Warblers , 30 Reed Warblers , 8 Willow Warblers , 10 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , a Swift , 25 House Martins , 4 Grey Herons , a Sparrowhawk , 14 Tufted Ducks , plus an overflying Redshank and a Curlew . In the Sandpits were 2 Greenshanks , 5 Common Sandpipers , a Pochard , 5 White Wagtails and 2 juvenile Common Gulls , while at Le Pulec were a juvenile Black Redstart , 2 Stonechats and a Common Sandpiper. By way of something different, 4 Cattle Egrets were at Maufant. Below : This morning was the annual Scrape clearance day and as usual, it was hot! Many thanks to the Ornithology Section Members of the Societe Jersiaise and local wildlife photographers who gave up their time to assist the National Trust Rangers in the clear up. All we need now is some water!!

13.08.2026 Wheatears are starting to trickle back through the Island on their return migration. This one was at Les Landes yesterday MD Another clear and sunny day, but a little less hot with the wind returning to the West. visit to Les Ecrehous this morning saw 150+ Sandwich Terns , 60+ Common Terns , a Gannet , 3 Grey Plovers , 100+ Turnstone , 75+ Oystercatchers , 2 Redshanks , 27 Ringed Plovers , 4 Willow Warblers , 10+ Rock Pipits and a Grey Seal . Another Ringed Plover was at Rozel Harbour. Off Corbiere early were an Arctic Skua, 6 Balearic Shearwaters , 6 Manx Shearwaters , 3 Fulmars , 74 Gannets , 20 Cormorants , 24 Shags , 106 Mediterranean Gulls, 141 Black-headed Gulls , 66 Great Black-backed Gulls , 109 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull , 20 Sandwich Terns , 30 Curlews , a Turnstone , 5 Ringed Plovers, a Common Sand Piper, a Sparrowhawk and 8 Rock Pipits , while in Petit Port Bay were 20 Curlews , 2 Whimbrels , 3 Common Sandpipers , 70 Mediterranean Gulls , 14 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Sandwich Terns . On the north side of St Ouen's Pond from first light were 100 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins out of a roost, 55 Reed Warblers , 40 Sedge Warblers , 12 Willow Warblers , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 10 Chiffchaffs , a Garden Warbler , a Whitethroat , a Pied Flycatcher , 25 House Martins, 4 Swifts , 2 Teal , 5 Grey Herons , 60 Goldfinches and 34 Starlings , while flying overhead were a Greenshank , 2 Common Sandpipers , 2 Green Sandpipers, a Lapwing , a Peregrine , a pale-phase Buzzard , a Sparrowhawk , a Kestrel , 3 Marsh Harriers and a Little Egret . On Mont Matthieu were 2 Willow Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler . In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 2 juvenile Caspian Gulls, 16 Yellow-legged Gulls , 566 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 287 Great Black-backed Gulls , 27 Mediterranean Gulls , 74 Black-headed Gulls and a single Common Gull . At Sorel were 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Buzzards and a Peregrine . One late record for yesterday was of a Spotted Flycatcher in a garden at Rozel.

12.08.2026 One of five Kestrels currently at Les Landes. MD An even hotter day today at 34c, with clear skies and a fresh east-southeast wind. Seen at St Ouen's Pond from first light were 200 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins , 25 House Martins , 22 Swifts , 6 Green Sandpipers, 20 Sedge Warblers , 25 Reed Warblers , 15 Willow Warblers , 2 Wheatears , a Snipe and 2 White Wagtails. 2 Storm Petrels were caught and ringed at Corbiere overnight and from sunrise there, birds recorded included 44 Balearic Shearwaters , 49 Manx Shearwaters , a Guillemot , 10 Cormorants , a Fulmar , 87 Mediterranean Gulls , 74 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls , 3 Kittiwakes , 37 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 34 Great Black-backed Gulls , 51 Sandwich Terns , a Common Sandpiper and 2 Ringed Plovers . At Petit Port were 2 Whimbrels , 10 Curlews , 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 43 Mediterranean Gulls. In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 8 Yellow-legged Gulls, 166 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 94 Great Black-backed Gulls , 25 Mediterranean Gulls and a Wheatear . At Noirmont this morning were 50 Swallows, a Sand Martin, a Whinchat, 2 Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff and an overflying Green Sandpiper. A Barn Owl was seen at La Blinerie and near to Holme Grown were 40 House Martins and 5 Swallows . Below : This Swallowtail was in a garden at Red Houses this afternoon. MD

11.08.2026 This Pied Flycatcher , a scarce passage migrant in Jersey, was ringed and released at St Ouen's Pond this morning. Many thanks as ever to David Buxton, for the image. A hot anti-cyclonic day with clear skies and a moderate east-northeast wind, touching 30c. A ringing session at St Ouen's Pond recorded a Pied Flycatcher (above), 12 Willow Warblers , 15 Sedge Warblers, 25 Reed Warblers , 2 Wheatears , a Whitethroat , a Blackcap , 5 Chiffchaffs , and a Stonechat . On or over St Ouen's Pond were 4 Green Sandpipers , a Ringed Plover , a Lapwing , 5 Swifts , 20 House Martins , 6 Sand Martins , 6 Swallows , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 4 Marsh Harriers , a pale-phase Buzzard , 5 Teal , 4 Shovelers , 23 Tufted Ducks , 2 Little Egrets , 6 Grey Herons , 41 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , also another Willow Warbler in bushes at the Wetland Centre car park. Another Wheatear was at Grosnez along with a Kestrel and 6 Linnets. A busy first two hours of seawatching at Corbiere saw 118 Balearic Shearwaters, 102 Manx Shearwaters, 121 Gannets , 4 Fulmars , 20 Cormorants , 76 Mediterranean Gulls , 103 Black-headed Gulls , 107 Sandwich Terns , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 45 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Ringed Plovers , 2 Peregrines , 4 Little Egrets and 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . In Petit Port Bay on the falling tide were 22 Curlews , 2 Whimbrels , 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 100+ Oystercatchers . At St Aubin were 60 Black-headed Gulls . On St Ouen's Beach this evening were 6 Yellow-legged Gulls , 70 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 60 Great Black-backed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich Tern . Yesterday evening around St Ouen's Pond were 400 Swallows , 5 Sand Martins , 5 Sedge Warblers , 15 Reed Warblers , 2 Wheatears , 20 House Martins , 2 Stonechats , 4 Swifts , 4 Grey Herons , a Peregrine and 3 Marsh Harriers .

10.08.2026 A juvenile Peregrine, which was menacing everything at Grosnez this morning. MD A clear day in a cooler northwest wind (23c) Among the good numbers of birds which passed Grosnez this morning were 86 Balearic Shearwaters , 55 Manx Shearwaters , 124 Gannets , 18 Fulmars , 85 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls , 625 Herring Gulls , 5 Black-headed Gulls , and 26 Swallows , with a Peregrine which interacted with a family of 5 Kestrels , 5 Buzzards and 17 Linnets . Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 22 Tufted Ducks including one small juvenile, a Teal , 2 Little Grebes, 3 Grey Herons , 28 Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , a Reed Warbler , 5 Swallows and 2 Swifts . In St Ouen's Bay were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 67 Great Black-backed Gulls , 59 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , and 23 Mediterranean Gulls . At St Aubin were 4 Sandwich Terns and 3 Little Egrets , and at West Park were 12 Oystercatchers and one Little Egret . In Petit Port Bay this evening were a Whimbrel , 9 Curlews , 22 Mediterranean Gulls, a Common Gull and 2 Sandwich Terns . 125 Sandwich Terns were seen at Seymour in Grouville Bay and at La Rocque were 74 Mediterranean Gulls , 29 Ringed Plovers , a Sanderling , 2 Dunlin and a Turnstone . Elsewhere, a Willow Warbler was on Beauport Common, and an adult Dartford Warbler was with 3 juveniles at Noirmont, where 10 Swallows and a House Martin was the sum total of aerial birds seen.

09.08.2026 Buzzards soaring over Kempt Tower MD A day of clear skies apart from a little early morning cloud, with winds in the West-southwest and moderate. Today's counts at St Ouen's Pond from first light included 450 Swallows and 10 Sand Martins out of roost, 45 Sedge Warblers , 40 Reed Warblers , 15 Willow Warblers , 8 Chiffchaffs , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Stonechats , 3 Swifts , 25 House Martins , a Sparrowhawk , 7 Grey Herons , 125 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Marsh Harriers , and flying over were 2 Green Sandpipers , 2 Common Sandpipers , a Greenshank and a Curlew . There was a large flock of gulls on St Ouen's beach near Sands including 6 Mediterranean Gulls , also 7 Sandwich Terns . Earlier on a French pair trawler heading south off the Bay was attracting the attention of several hundreds of birds, mostly Herring Gulls , but also 20+ Gannets . Seawatching from Corbiere saw 26 Manx Shearwaters , 4 Fulmars , 75 Gannets , 27 Shags , 10 Cormorants , 35 Mediterranean Gulls , 38 Black-headed Gulls , 73 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 31 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Whimbrel , with a single Willow Warbler in bushes by Corbiere car park. Seen from Le Pulec were a steady trickle of Sandwich Terns , a Yellow-legged Gulls , a Whimbrel , 10 Curlews , 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 overflying Choughs . In Grouville Bay were c 100 Sandwich Terns , 18 Mediterranean Gulls , 36 Curlews , 3 Greenshanks , 12 Turnstones , a Sanderling , 25 Ringed Plovers and 14 Little Egrets . Yesterday , 3 Peregrines were seen near Anneport.

08.08.2026 Two views of a female Sparrowhawk which flew into a mist net at St Ouen's Pond, images courtesy of David Buxton. A fair and very warm day at 28c in a moderate southeast wind. There was more activity at sea off of Corbiere than in recent days and from sunrise, in three hours, 94 Balearic Shearwaters , 58 Manx Shearwaters , 67 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 60 Mediterranean Gulls , 13 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 48 Great Black-backed Gulls, 5 Sandwich Terns , a Grey Heron and 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen. 2 Common Sandpipers were on the causeway to the lighthouse too. On and around St Ouen's Pond were a Green Sandpiper , a Lapwing , 2 Pochard , 23 Tufted Ducks , 4 Teal , 2 Little Grebes , 8 Grey Herons , 92 Black - headed Gulls , 25 Starlings , 10 Swallows , 2 Reed Warblers and a Willow Warbler . Among gulls in the backfields were 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . At Kempt Tower pools were a female Shoveler , 2 Blackcaps , 2 Reed Warblers , 23 Goldfinches and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Also, a Hobby flew over Mont Les Vaux in St Brelade this afternoon. In St Catherine's Woods were a Blackcap , a Firecrest , a Short-toed Treecreeper , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Buzzards . This evening, In St Ouen's Bay, were 1 second year Caspian Gull , 10 Yellow-legged Gulls , 345 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 170 Great Black-backed Gulls and 18 Mediterranean Gulls, while in Grouville Bay were 184 Sandwich Terns , 2 Greenshanks , 21 Ringed Plovers, a Turnstone , 12 Curlews , 11 Little Egrets , 11 Mediterranean Gulls and 38 Black-headed Gulls . In Vallee des Vaux was a Willow Warbler .