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19.03.2024 Male Gadwall on a grey day at the Scrape MD
A dry day of varying cloud amounts in a fresh southerly wind
Easrly morning seawatching at Corbiere produced 16 Manx Shearwaters, 38 Razorbills, 8 Guillemots, 2 Brent Geese, 17 Gannets, 2 Fulmars, a Kittiwake, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a flock of 22 Grey Plovers, a Peregrine, 7 alba Wagtails, 12 Linnets and 41 Crows heading West.
Seen from the Wetland Centre were 3 Sand Martins, a Swallow ( late afternoon), the male Pintail, 5 Tufted Duck, a male Gadwall, a female Wigeon and 22 Shovelers. Raptors high overhead included at least 10 Buzzards and 8 Marsh Harriers. At the Scrape were 43 Brent Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 38 Teal, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Lapwings and a pair of Stonechats. At Kempt Tower were 2 pairs of Little Grebes, 6 Tufted Duck
Another Sand Martin was at La Sente, where 2 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 22 Cattle Egrets, 6 Little Egrets, 17 Redshanks, 12 Pied Wagtails, 4 White Wagtails and 8 Black-headed Gulls.
Single Wheatears were in the Town Marina and at Le Braye and at St Aubin were 71 pale-bellied Brent Geese plus 4 dark-bellied Brent, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Curlews, 2 Little Egrets and 12 Redshanks
In Vallee des Vaux were just 3 Siskins, 4 Bullfinches and 3 Blackcaps.
Evening update: A Little Ringed Plover was at La Sente this afternoon but was chased off by Pied Wagtails! 6 Greenshanks were also present
10.05.2025 A Garden Warbler in Les Ormes Valley, image courtesy of Romano RDC A clear day with increasing high cloud, as a low over France moved slowly north towards the Channel Islands, but feeling warmer at 20c. Winds were still fresh from the East. Some activity past Corbiere in the first three hours of daylight included another Balearic Shearwater , 59 Manx Shearwaters , 5 Shelduck , 8 male Common Scoters , 15 Guillemots , 84 Gannets , 6 Cormorants , 6 Sandwich Terns , 6 Common Terns , 2 immature Mediterranean Gulls , 24 Kittiwakes , 73 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 40 Great Black-backed Gulls , but overhead, just a single Swift and 11 Swallows , probably because of the thundery weather over Brittany preventing much progress north. Roosting at Petit Port first thing were a Grey Plover , a Whimbrel and a Turnstone . Common Terns have returned to Les Ecrehous with c 100 birds there, also a Roseate Tern has been heard. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Shelduck , the male Wigeon , a male Shoveler , 2 Oystercatchers , and a Skylark while overhead were 4 Swifts , 5 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins . A Grey Heron dropped in on St Ouen's Pond. On Les Blanches Banques were a Garden Warbler , a Whitethroat and a Dartford Warbler with 2 Swifts seen overhead and at Le Pulec were a Shelduck , a Raven and another Swift . Seen at Les Landes were a Whinchat , 2 pairs of Stonechats , 3 Swifts , 4 Swallows and a Buzzard . Afternoon update: At Petit Port this afternoon were a Knot in Summer plumage, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 2 Whimbrels , a Curlew , a Shelduck and 15 Swifts . In the Sandpits were 18 Tufted Ducks, a Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers, 20 Sand Martins , a Stonechat , a Cetti's Warbler , a Shelduck and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls .
09.05.2025 Common Sandpiper on the Scrape MD The fair to fine conditions continue, but still with an annoying north-east wind. A selection of species passing Corbiere this morning, included the first Balearic Shearwater of the season, 8 Manx Shearwaters , 5 Guillemots , 3 Fulmars , 75 Gannets , 2 Shelducks , 5 Cormorants , 19 Shags , 6 Kittiwakes , 34 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 42 Great Black-backed Gulls , 45 Swifts , 38 Swallows , 7 House Martins , a Grey Heron , 3 Little Egrets and 2 Peregrines . On and around the Scrape this morning were a male Shoveler , 5 Lapwings , 2 Oystercatchers , 18 Swifts , 20 Swallows , 5 House Martins, 10 Sand Martins , a Peregrine , a Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail . On St Ouen's Pond were the male Wigeon, 3 Grey Herons and a Shoveler and between Kempt Tower and the Frances le Sueur Centre were 7 Whitethroats , a Grey Heron , 3 Greenfinches and 2 Lapwings . In Les Ormes Valley were 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Whitethroats , while on Les Blanches Banques were another Whitethroat , a pair of Stonechats and overhead, 6 Swifts . Seen on Les Ecrehous today were 10 Purple Sandpipers , 3 Swallows and 2 Crows , with 12 Common Terns seen there yesterday. There was little by the way of migrants at Grouville Marsh today, with just a Sedge Warbler , 15 Reed Warblers and a Sparrowhawk of note and 2 Swifts plus 2 Swallows flying over. A single Brent Goose flew through Grouville Bay and 3 Tufted Duck were on Grands Vaux reservoir. A Stonechat was on Beauport Common and between there and La Moye Point were just 11 pairs of Herring Gulls and 4 pairs of Great Black-backed Gulls , also a Peregrine . A White Wagtail was in Le Marais at La Moye, 2 Tufted Ducks were on Dannemarche Reservoir and 11 Swifts were at the Albert Pier in St Helier Harbour. At Petit Port this evening were 2 Shelducks and 3 Whimbrels .
08.05.2025 Many thanks to Nick Parlett for this image of a White Stork over Jardin d'Olivet. NP The cold conditions continued today with cloudy skies slowly clearing through the day in a moderate to fresh east-northeast wind. The White Stork over Jardin d'Olivet apart, it was a slow news day for migrants, despite seemingly favourable conditions. There was some early passage past Corbiere though with 3 Great Northern Divers , 2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-throated Diver seen, as they headed off North. Also passing were 4 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Guillemots , 2 Shelduck , a drake Mallard , 41 Gannets , 2 Fulmars , 11 Cormorants , 27 Shags , 4 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake , 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 40 Great Black-backed Gulls seen offshore. 19 Swallows and 5 House Martins arrived from the southwest and a Peregrine was on rocks there too. 2 Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay. Good numbers of Swifts were in St Ouen's Bay again, with at least 50 in The Sandpits and another 30 at St Ouen's Pond. Seen at the Scrape were the male Shelduck , a Shoveler , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Oystercatchers , 5 Lapwings still with at least 2 chicks, a Grey Heron , 40 Swallows , 5 House Martins , a Sand Martin , a Yellow Wagtail, a Blackcap and a Wheatear . In the Sandpits were a pair of Stonechats , 40 Sand Martins , a Shelduck , 22 Tufted Ducks and 6 Oystercatchers . In Les Ormes Valley were 3 Garden Warblers , 2 Whitethroats and 5 Chiffchaffs . Another pair of Stonechats were on the Blanches Banques. This afternoon, a trickle of Swifts were moving northeast over Red Houses.
07.05.2025 A different angle on the Cattle Egret , currently at the Scrape. MD Another cold-feeling day, with low cloud through the morning, before a clear afternoon. Winds remained gusty from the northeast. The current cold conditions have brought the aerial feeders down low to find their prey and this morning, low over St Ouen's Pond and Scrape, were 50+ Swifts , 100+ Swallows , 25 House Martins and 4 Sand Martins . Also at or over the Scrape were a Cattle Egret , a Little Egret , the male Wigeon , the pair of Shelduck , 2 Tufted Ducks , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Oystercatchers , a late-staying Snipe , a Black-headed Gull , a Grey Heron , a Wheatear , the usual Marsh Harriers , a Buzzard , a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel . A brief visit to Plemont saw 4 Kittiwakes , 8 Swifts , a pale-phase Buzzard , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Kestrels and 2 Ravens . In St Catherine's Woods were a Grey Heron , 2 singing Firecrests , 7 Blackcaps also in song and 12 Chiffchaffs . At Elizabeth Castle were 2 Whimbrels , 3 Wheatears and c10 Swifts . Elsewhere, a Dartford Warbler was seen at Les Platons, Greenfinches were active in St Andrews Park and 2 Choughs were on the playing fields of Le Rocquier School.
06.05.2025 A Song Thrush in Pont Marquet woods today MD A cold day in variable cloudy skies and a fresh northeast wind. Our good Spring for Cuckoos continued today with one in St Catherine's Wood, where it has been seen for the last three days. There was another Hoopoe seen yesterday too, this time in a garden in St Ouen. Seen at the Scrape today were a Cattle Egret , a Common Sandpiper , the male Wigeon again, the pair of Shelduck , 2 Oystercatchers , 5 Lapwings , 2 Wheatears , and a Yellow Wagtail. Swifts were in good numbers in St Ouen's Bay with at least 50 shared between St Ouen's Pond and Scrape and the Sandpits. 2 Lapwings were on the common north of St Ouen's Pond and 20 Swallows , 8 House Martins plus 2 Sand Martins were feeding over St Ouen's Pond with a Shoveler on the Pond. At Kempt Tower were 6 Tufted Ducks and 2 male Shovelers . Little was moving past Corbiere first thing, but seen there were a Manx Shearwater, 8 Guillemots , 2 Fulmars , 6 Gannets , 2 Kittiwakes , 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Whimbrel and 5 Cormorants . Around the Pont Marquet ponds area were 5 Firecrests , 3 Blackcaps , 3 Chiffchaffs , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Song Thrush collecting food. Evening update: In Grouville Bay were a pair of Shelduck , 2 Curlews , 28 Oystercatchers , 6 Swallows and a Sand Martin and at Beaumont Marsh were 2 House Martins, 4 Swallows and a Little Egret. At Grands Vaux were 7 Tufted Duck and a Common Sandpiper .This evening at Elizabeth Castle were a Whimbrel , a Curlew , a Grey Heron and a Wren . Yesterday , a Black-headed Gull was seen at St Ouen's Pond.
05.05.2025 A Reed Warbler taking flight at the Wetland Centre MD A cold feeling day in a strong northeast wind, with an odd shower this afternoon. On and over the Scrape today were a Cattle Egret , 10 Swifts , a Whimbrel , 2 Common Sandpipers , 6 Lapwings and at least one chick, 2 Oystercatchers , 2 Shelduck , a Wigeon , 2 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail , also a so far unidentified small Calidris wader. Over St Ouen's Pond were 40 House Martins , 3 Swallows and 2 Grey Herons with a further 10 Swifts near the Wetland Centre and a Wheatear , also 7 Painted Lady butterflies. To the north of the Pond this morning were 15 Reed Warblers , a Sedge Warbler , a Whitethroat , 40 Swallows , 20 House Martins , 14 Swifts , a few Sand Martins and the male Wigeon . A further 2 Swifts were over Mont Matthieu. Passing Corbiere this morning, were 7 Manx Shearwaters , 8 Guillemots , 11 Fulmars , 28 Gannets , 27 Kittiwakes , 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 5 Whimbrels , 4 Turnstones , 4 Sanderlings , a Dunlin , a Ringed Plover, a Peregrine , 4 Swifts , 6 Swallows and 3 White Wagtails . 15 Bottle-nosed Dolphins moved West there too. A Shelduck was in Petit Port Bay. Elsewhere, a Pair of Stonechat was near Le Pulec while over St Catherine's Woods were 25 House Martins . 2 Bullfinches were also there. An extra for yesterday was a Black Kite, seen over Mont a la Brune at lunchtime yesterday.
04.05.2025 A Greenshank on the Scrape yesterday. MD A fair to cloudy day, but with a keen and gusty easterly wind to keep it feeling cool. Despite good numbers of eyes around St Ouen's Bay through the day, yesterday's Ferruginous Duck has not been relocated today. Seen from a well populated Scrape Hide today were 2 Common Sandpipers , a Greenshank , 3 Cattle Egrets , a Snipe , 6 Lapwings ( plus 4 newly hatched chicks), 2 Oystercatchers , 18 Swifts , 30 Swallows , 27 House Martins , the male Wigeon , a Grey Heron and a Yellow Wagtail . Another Lapwing was on the common north of St Ouen's Pond, also a singing Skylark while at Kempt Tower were 9 Tufted Ducks , a male Shoveler , 2 Little Grebes and Coot with 6 young. In the Sandpits were 5 Tufted Ducks , a Shelduck , 6 Oystercatchers and 45 Sand Martins . A Wheatear was on the Blanches Banques. Seen from a very windy Grosnez were 2 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Guillemots , a Razorbill , 4 Cormorants , 9 Gannets , 76 Fulmars , 3 Little Egrets moving North, 30 Kittiwakes , 54 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Raven. At Corbiere was a Wheatear , with 2 Shelduck seen flying past and in Petit Port Bay were a Whimbrel and a Curlew as well as c70 Oystercatchers . 4 Swifts were seen at the Elizabeth Harbour in St Helier and 2 House Martins plus a Little Egret were at Beaumont Marsh In Vallee des Vaux were a Firecrest , a Goldcrest and a Bullfinch , all in song and at Grands Vaux were another 10 Tufted Ducks . Yesterday , Cuckoos were reported from Egypt and St Mary's Village. and this evening , another Cuckoo was heard near Belle Hougue. Evening update: A Black Kite was seen flying northeast over St John around 6:15 and a Raven was feeding near St John's Manor. A late visit to the Scrape saw the 3 Cattle Egrets , also 2 Common Sandpipers and 34 Swifts .
03.05.2025 A surprise visitor today was this female Ferruginous Duck , seen flying over the Scrape with 3 male Tufted Ducks , only the second record for Jersey, if accepted. This out of season bird is seen above in John Ovenden's fine image JO. Overnight thundery showers cleared before Dawn, leaving a fair day in a northeast wind. An Osprey , presumably yesterday evening's bird seen over Beauport, flew off to the northeast from St Ouen's Pond at Sunrise. Later in the morning, a female Ferruginous Duck , in company with three male Tufted Ducks was pictured in flight over the Scrape hide, before appearing to drop down onto St Ouen's Pond, but no further reports have been received later on today. Also at St Ouen's Pond were a Shoveler , the male Wigeon , a Whimbrel , a Snipe , a Common Sandpiper and c 30 Reed Warblers . 11 Swifts and 8 Swallows flew overhead. Also seen from the Scrape Hide were the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , 2 Shelduck , a Greenshank , a Common Sandpiper , a Grey Heron , a Sedge Warbler and c20 Reed Warblers . 5 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe were at Kempt Tower. In the Sandpits were 39 Tufted Ducks , 2 Shelduck , 10 Sand Martins and 7 Swallows, and on the Blanches Banques this afternoon were 2 Wheatears , a Whitethroat and a Hobby which headed into the Sandpits. 2 Garden Warblers were in Les Ormes Valley. At Plemont this morning were a Puffin , 5 Razorbills , a Peregrine , 9 Swifts , 5 Swallows , 2 Ravens and 10 Great Black-backed Gulls . In or over Grouville Marsh this morning were 35 Sedge Warblers, 20 Reed Warblers , 2 Blackcaps , a Water Rail , a Swift , 6 House Martins , 3 Swallows , a Grey Heron, 6 Cormorants and a Painted Lady butterfly.3 Tufted Ducks were at Grands Vaux, a Little Egret was in Rozel Harbour and a Whitethroat was a garden visitor at Le Huquet in St Martin. In Vallee des Vaux was a singing Firecrest . At Noirmont later this morning were a Wheatear , 3 Dartford Warblers , 3 Swallows , 2 Ravens and 3 Blackcaps , also a Great Spotted Woodpecker . Evening update : The Ferruginous Duck has been relocated on the Scrape.
02.05.2025 Not seen for two days, our last two Teal of the winter may have finally headed off. They are seen here on the Scrape two days ago MD. An overcast start to the day become fine by this afternoon in a light northwest wind, but feeling cooler than the last few days Evening update : An Osprey flew over Beauport at 5:15 this evening heading north, so is likely to be on the Island first thing tomorrow. A return to westerly conditions saw a clear-out of many of the recent migrants to the Island. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were the male Shelduck , a Greenshank , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Oystercatchers and 6 Lapwings , and flying overhead were a Black-headed Gull , 4 Sand Martins and 8 Swallows . On St Ouen's Pond were a Whimbrel , a Dunlin and the male Wigeon . In the Sandpits was a pair of Shelduck while in Les Ormes Valley were 4 Whitethroats and 2 Garden Warblers with another Whitethroat , a singing Garden Warbler and a singing Dartford Warbler on the Blanches Banques. A further Whitethroat was at Kempt Tower. Little was passing Grosnez this morning, with just 13 Common Scoters , 9 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , 34 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 23 Swallows and a Swift seen in two hours. In the south-east of the Island, 3 Grey Plovers , 6 Oystercatchers and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at La Rocque, and 2 Whimbrels plus 102 Oystercatchers at Pontac. 30 Swifts were seen over B&Q on St John's Road and a Sedge Warbler was in a garden by Grands Vaux Tennis Courts. From yesterday : a few waders were on the beach in St Ouen's Bay which included 10 Sanderlings , 12 Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin .
01.05.2025 A newly arrived Whinchat at Grosnez this morning. MD May was ushered in with another very warm day and just some high cloud. Winds were fresh from the east-southeast. On the East of the Island today, a Black Kite was seen in flight over St Catherine and a Hoopoe was in a garden in Grouville. At Le Saie were 2 Turnstones and 45 Oystercatchers and in St Catherine's Wood were a Firecrest , a Goldcrest a Short-toed Treecreeper , and 11 Blackcaps with an immature Grey Heron at the small reservoir and another 3 Grey Herons seen flying over. An adult Purple Heron was on St Ouen's Pond, also a Snipe , 2 male Shovelers and a Sedge Warbler, while at the Scrape were a pair of Shelduck , a Greenshank , a Dunlin , a Common Sandpiper , a Snipe , 6 Lapwings and 2 Wheatears . 2 Oystercatchers were on Les Mielles Golf Course. In the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck , 18 Tufted Duck , a Marsh Harrier, a Little Grebe , 45 Sand Martins and a singing Cetti's Warbler . At Le Pulec were yet another pair of Shelduck and in the Kempt Tower area were a male Shoveler , 6 Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe, 5+ Reed Warblers and a flock of 7 overflying Jackdaws . It was a slow day for migrants at Grosnez and through the first half of the morning, 2 Whinchats , a Wheatear , 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails , a White Wagtail, and 17 Swallows were seen, while offshore were 6 Manx Shearwaters , 15 Fulmars , 14 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , a Kittiwake , 5 Black - headed Gulls , 33 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Grey Herons . Around the racecourse were 2 Stonechats , 50+ Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens , 3 Choughs and 2 Marsh Harriers . One, possibly two Puffins were seen at Plemont, a small falcon , possibly a Hobby flew by, a Swallowtail butterfly was seen being hassled by a Red Admiral and c12 Bottle-nosed Dolphins headed west. Around the south-west of the Island, visible migration watching at Noirmont saw 2 Swifts , 30 Swallows , a Sand Martin , 15 Tree Pipits , a Whitethroat , a White Wagtail , 4 Whimbrels , 13 Grey Herons , 12 Black-headed Gulls and 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , while at Petit Port were a Turnstone , 5 Little Egrets and 2 Whimbrels, and at Corbiere were 5 Purple Sandpipers and 3 Turnstones . Another 2 Grey Herons were at St Aubin, a Cetti's Warbler was heard in Clos Saut Falluet, near the Airport and a Swallowtail butterlfy was seen at Ouaisne.
