Jersey Birds

22.09.2025 A super picture of a Common Redstart near the Kempt Tower pools today, image courtesy of Alan Gicquel A band of heavy rain passed just south of the Island today, resulting in a mainly dry day with a strong east-north east wind (13c) The weather conditions prompted a good deal of migration past Jersey today. Early on, as seen from Grosnez, 230 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Manx Shearwaters , an Arctic Skua , 2 Common Scoter with an accompanying Teal , 15 Gannets , 20 Sandwich Terns and 2 Mediterranean Gulls , passed by offshore, with 59 Swallows , a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Wheatears also seen there. A Common Sandpipe r was at Le Pulec. The floodgates opened for hirundines today and at Noirmont, 5,640 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins and 1,130 House Martins passed in three hours. Also seen there were 3 Hobbies , a Merlin , 2 Peregrines , 2 Skylarks , 156 Meadow Pipits, an alba Wagtail , 2 Redstarts , 16 Wheatears , 3 Whitethroats and 4 Stonechats , with a fourth Hobby seen over Mont les Vaux. A similar movement at Victoria Tower saw 542 Swallows counted in twenty minutes, as well as 45 House Martins , 2 Sand Martins , another Hobby , a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 40 Meadow Pipits , a Yellow Wagtail, an alba Wagtail , 6 Wheatears , 10 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrests . Smaller numbers of Swallows were reported from around the Island. On St Ouen's Pond this morning were 2 Little Grebes , 28 Tufted Duck , a female Pintail , 25 Teal , 26 Shoveler , a male Pochard , 2 Common Sandpipers , a Water Rail, 70 Swallows and 10 House Martins with 2 Sand Martins . On the Scrape were 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Willow Warblers , a Whitethroat , 2 Yellow Wagtails and a flock of 11 Grey Herons and at Sands were 5 White Wagtails . On Mont Matthieu early were 3 Wheatears and a warbler sp ( possibly a Yellow-browed Warbler ) accompanying a roving tit flock. A good selection of migrants around the Kempt Tower pools included a Pied Flycatcher , 2 Spotted Flycatchers , 2 Willow Warblers , a Whitethroat , a Redstart , and a Stonechat also, oddly, a Barn Owl in flight mid-afternoon. Alsi in St Ouen's Bay, on the beach, were 32 Mediterranean Gulls , 30 Ringed Plovers and 2 Wheatears . At Petit Port were 11 Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Sandpiper this evening. On the East coast, a male Hen Harrier was seen at La Coupe, while at Le Hurel were a Wheatear , 3 White Wagtails and more Swallows . In the fields at La Rocque were 4 Whinchats , a Wheatear , 3 Stonechats , 16 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Meadow Pipits . Seymour weighed in with 2 Wheatears and 2 distant Brent Geese offshore. In Grouville Marsh were 200+ Swallows , 2 Redstarts , a Reed Warbler , 5 Blackcaps , 15 Chiffchaffs , a Wheatear and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Yet more migrants, this time seen at Beauport Common included 33 Yellow Wagtails, 25 Meadow Pipits , 4 Wheatears , 2 Whinchats , a Whitethroat and 4 Stonechats . Elsewhere, 2 Cattle Egrets were at Mont a l'Abbe. Evening update : and still the reports of migrants come in! A Wryneck was seen at Sorel this afternoon and a Nightjar which appears to have flown into the glass at the Glass Church, has been taken into care at the JSPCA, Wheatears a plenty later today with 17 seen at Noirmont, 6 at Beaumont Marsh, 4 at La Rocque Point, 3 at St Catherine's Breakwater and 14 at Le Hurel. In St Aubin's Bay, pale-bellied Brent Goose numbers have risen to 28 and at Beaumont Marsh were 2 Stonechats and 40 Yellow Wagtails . Additional birds at Noirmont included 2 Spotted Flycatchers , a Whinchat and a Sparrowhawk . In Grouville Bay were 36 Sanderlings , at La Sente were 7 Grey Herons and at Le Hurel were 3 White Wagtails , 2 Turnstones , 2 Common Gulls and hundreds of Black-headed Gulls .

21.09.2025 A close view of a beautiful pale-phase Buzzard , at Noirmont last week. Image: MD A difficult day, with rain through the morning as a low stalled over the Channel Islands, with a drier afternoon, but cold at 13c with a northeast wind Little was prepared to move in the conditions and seen in three hours at Noirmont were just 122 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Yellow-legged Gull , 3 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Brent Geese , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Cormorants , 65 Meadow Pipits , a single Tree Pipit , 5 Yellow Wagtails , an alba Wagtail , a Swallow , 2 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , 5 Whitethroats , 2 Blackcaps and 5+ Chiffchaffs . 12 Bottle-nosed Dolphins passed Noirmont this afternoon. At St Ouen's Pond were 3 Little Grebes , 11 Teal , a Shoveler , 18 Tufted Ducks , 14 Black-headed Gulls , a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper. 70 Swallows and 10 House Martins , while on the Scrape were a Glossy Ibis , 2 Green Sandpipers , a Common Sandpiper , a Grey Heron and a Wheatear . On Mont Matthieu were a pale-phase Buzzard , a Firecrest and a Chiffchaff . There were 6 pale-bellied Brent Geese at St Aubin this morning and a Curlew plus 7 Oystercatchers were at the Gunsite. On Grouville beach was a Wheatear and at Le Hurel were 16 Black-headed Gulls . 3 Teal were at Fauvic and in Robin Bay at La Rocque were 14 Little Egrets , 50 Oystercatchers and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls . Evening update: On the Scrape this evening were 40 Yellow Wagtails , a Hobby flew over Mont les Vaux and at Sorel were 2 Stonechats , 7 Linnets and 2 Ravens . Seen at La Rocque this evening were a Grey Heron , 250 Oystercatchers , 2 Sandwich Terns and 4 Swallows and at the Happy Hens were c20 Swallows and House Martins feeding. 18 Grey Herons were at La Sente and 5 Cattle Egrets were by Grouville School. A further 12 Cattle Egrets were at Mont a l'Abbe and a Wheatear was seen at Le Hocq.

20.09.2025 Male Stonechat at Les Landes this week. Image: MD A warm and dry morning, between bands of rain, before a spell of rain this afternoon, in an increasing south to southwest wind. There was a good arrival of overnight migrants to welcome today, although diurnal migration was still below par for the time of year. A Glossy Ibis was new on the Scrape today, with a Common Sandpiper , 2 Grey Herons , 12 Linnets , a Kingfisher and 17 Yellow Wagtails also seen there. At the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were the first 2 (pale-bellied) Brent Geese of the Autumn, also 3 Wheatears and 6 Sandwich Terns . On the ground at Noirmont through the morning were a Wryneck ( possibly two), 2 Spotted Flycatchers , a Redstart , 5 Whinchats , 2 Wheatears , 6 Stonechats , 7 Whitethroats , 18 Blackcaps , 20+ Chiffchaffs , 5+ Robins and 6 Dartford Warblers . Passing overhead were 91 Swallows , a Sand Martin , 33 House Martins , 71 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , a Snipe , a Grey Heron , 20 Stock Doves, 57 Linnets and 6 Chaffinches . Loitering in the area were a Honey Buzzard , 7 Common Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , and 10 Ravens , while offshore were 31 Balearic Shearwaters , a Manx Shearwaters , 67 Gannets , 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls . A Whinchat was seen at Beauport. A garden on Mont Les Vaux at St Aubin, had rich pickings today in the form of 4 Pied Flycatchers , 3 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Willow Warblers . In Grouville Bay were a Curlew Sandpiper , 80 Ringed Plovers and a few Dunlin , with a Common Sandpiper at Gorey and at Grands Vaux were 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Kingfishers . Back to yesterday , and a visit to Les Ecrehous saw 4 Wheatears , 2 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Willow Warbler , a Blackcap , 3 alba Wagtails , a Linnet , 10 Ringed Plovers , a Grey Heron , a trickle of Swallows moving through, a Crow and a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

19.09.2025 juvenile Honey Buzzard at Noirmont yesterday. Image: MD A mainly fine and warm day (22c) in a light southeasterly wind. Seen and photographed to the West of St Ouen's Bay was a Sabine's Gull . There was more activity on the migration front in suitable conditions, both overnight and during today. Seen at or flying over Noirmont were 173 Swallows , 42 House Martins , 2 Sand Martins , 2 Tree Pipits, 35 Meadow Pipits , 12 Yellow Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , an alba Wagtail , 68 Linnets , 6 Chaffinches , a Whinchat , 3 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , at least 25 Blackcaps , 5 Whitethroats , 10 Chiffchaffs , 2 Willow Warblers , 4 Dartford Warblers , a juvenile Marsh Harrier , 4 Buzzards including a pale-phase bird, a Sparrowhawk , a Grey Heron, 16 Ravens , 2 Choughs and 2 Jackdaws , also 4 Clouded Yellow butterflies, but little was offshore, just one Balearic Shearwater and4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls of note. In Grouville Bay were at least 2 Curlew Sandpipers , 83 Ringed Plovers , 10 Dunlin and some Sanderlings plus 2 Wheatears . At Les Pres end of Grouville Marsh were 45 Blackcaps , 25 Chiffchaffs , 4 Cetti's Warblers , a Bullfinch , 4 Water Rails , 5 House Martins, 2 Meadow Pipits , a Tree Pipit , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , an alba Wagtail and 3 Clouded Yellow butterflies, with 2 Ravens , 2 Marsh Harriers and 4 Buzzards also seen. In the fields at La Rocque were 6 Blackcaps , 2 Chiffchaffs , 14 Swallows , 3 Meadow Pipits and another 2 Clouded Yellows . In St Brelade's Bay were 4 Sandwich Terns and in Winston Churchill Park were a Grey Heron and a returning Grey Wagtail . At Les Landes were a Wheatear , 2 Stonechats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 13 Choughs , a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard . In Vallee des Vaux were 5 Blackcaps , 2 Chiffchaffs , 4 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , and an overflying Grey Heron and 2 Ravens . A view of the underside of the Honey Buzzard against the traditional while clouded sky! MD

18.09.2025 One of yesterday's Curlew Sandpipers in Grouville Bay, image courtesy of Jo Bramley A day with lighter winds and mainly cloudy conditions. Waders in Grouville Bay included 5 Curlew Sandpipers , 112 Ringed Plovers , 76 Sanderlings, 42 Dunlin , 20 Grey Plovers , 34 Curlews , 2 Greenshanks , a Redshank , 85 Turnstones and a Bar-tailed Godwit and also seen there were a Great Crested Grebe , 95 Sandwich Terns , 5 Yellow Wagtails and 4 Wheatears . 12 Cattle Egrets were at Grouville Mill and 5 Grey Plovers were at Webber's Lane. Seen from Noirmont this morning were a juvenile Honey Buzzard , 6 Common Buzzards including a pale-phase bird, a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 2 Kestrels , 97 Swallows , 93 House Martins, a Yellow Wagtail , a Whinchat , 3 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Choughs , while passing offshore were 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 35 Gannets , 4 Sandwich Terns and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Around St Ouen's Pond from first light were a ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 18 Marsh Harriers out of roost, a Snipe , 18 Shovelers , 100 Swallows , 20 House Martins, 40 Linnets , 7 Yellow Wagtails , a Reed Warbler , 8 Chiffchaffs , 5 Wheatears , 34 Meadow Pipits and on the Scrape, a Common Sandpiper . In St Ouen's Bay were 107 Great Black-backed Gulls , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 31 Mediterranean Gulls and 11 Sandwich Terns . At Beauport and Les Creux were a Peregrine , a Wheatear and 8 Robins , while at Gorselands were another Peregrine , a Stonechat , 9 Meadow Pipits and 9 overflying Swallows . In Petit Port Bay were 2 Common Sandpipers , 31 Curlews , 65 Oystercatchers , 24 Great Black-backed Gulls and 7 Mediterranean Gulls and on Ouaisne Common were a Cetti's Warbler , 15 Chiffchaffs , a few House Martins and a bunting sp which disappeared before it could be identified and was not re-found. At the St Aubin's end of St Aubin's Bay were 5 Sandwich Terns , 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 13 Black-headed Gulls , 11 Redshanks and a Turnstone . Evening update: On Mont Matthieu were 3 Wheatears , and at Kempt Tower were 2 Reed Warblers , 4 Water Rails, 3 Swallows , a Stonechat and the ring-tailed Hen Harrier heading towards the Pond to roost. Seen at La Rocque this evening were 34 Sanderlings , 5 Grey Herons , 16 Grey Plovers , 55 Turnstones , 3 Redshanks , 3 Curlews and 64 Sandwich Terns . Below : A Curlew Sandpiper on the move in Grouville Bay, video also courtesy of Jo Bramley.

17.09.2025 Turnstone at Corbiere this afternoon Image: MD A cloudy day in a fresh southwest wind, feeling warm at 20c Curlew Sandpipers featured in Grouville Bay today, with a flock of 15 seen flying South and another 5 feeding on the tideline near the Golf Course. Also seen were 94 Ringed Plovers , 20 Grey Plovers, 12 Sanderlings , 16 Dunlin , 2 Turnstones and 17 Curlews , while at La Rocque Harbour were 96 Sandwich Terns , 16 Sanderlings , 6 Grey Plovers and 141 Oystercatchers . At Grouville Marsh were 2 Cattle Egrets and 12 Chiffchaffs, whill up at Victoria Tower were 3 Firecrests , 15 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap . A few birds passing Corbiere included 9 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Razorbills , 17 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 88 Sandwich Terns , 23 Mediterranean Gulls , 15 Black-headed Gulls , 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Dunlin , 8 Meadow Pipits and 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . 2 Wheatears were on the headland and 10 Turnstones were roosting there this afternoon, while at the Desalination Plant were 4 Wheatears and 5 Jackdaws and a single Wheatear was at Beauport. Birds at Petit Port included 29 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 23 Curlews , 20 Sanderlings and 7 Little Egrets . In St Ouen's Bay, firstly at the Scrape, were a Common Sandpiper , 2 Stonechats , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Willow Warbler , 12 Linnets , a Grey Heron and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. In the Sandpits were 22 Little Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe and 4 Tufted Duck . On Mont Matthieu were a pale-phase Buzzard and a singing Chiffchaff , on Chemin de l'Ouziere were 40 Goldfinches and at Sands was a Wheatear . At Noirmont were 6 Wheatears , a Whinchat , 2 Stonechats , 25 Meadow Pipits and 11 Swallows . Elsewhere, a juvenile Marsh Harrier , 7 Stonechats and 11 Linnets were at Les Landes, 8 Sandwich Terns and a female Black Redstart were at St Aubin's Fort and in Vallee des Vaux were 2 Firecrests and a Chiffchaff with a Grey Wagtail seen flying over. Evening update: At the North end of Grouville Bay this evening were 2 Curlew Sandpipers , 126 Ringed Plovers , 36 Sanderlings , 44 Dunlin and a a Bar - tailed Godwit.

16.09.2025 A Grey Plover in Grouville Bay recently, image courtesy of Romano. RDC The stormy conditions continued overnight, with slightly less strong winds from the West today, but also showers. Most migrants seem to have been blown away at the moment, even the seabirds. A short seawatch from Corbiere saw just 2 Balearic Shearwaters , a Fulmar , 11 Gannets , a Razorbill , 18 Great Black-backed Gulls , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Sandwich Terns and a Curlew , with one Wheatear still on the headland. In Petit Port Bay were 17 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 22 Great Black-backed Gulls and 5 Little Egrets . 3 Curlew Sandpipers were in Grouville Bay this afternoon, a Common Sandpiper was at Queen's Valley and at La Rocque Harbour were 58 Sandwich Terns , 62 Oystercatchers , 5 Grey Plovers , a Grey Heron , and another 58 Oystercatchers were on the Eastern Reef. At Noirmont were 5 Wheatears , 3 Stonechats , 13 Swallows , 11 Meadow Pipits and a Marsh Harrier , while at Les Landes were 12 Stonechats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 42 Linnets , 35 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens and 6 Choughs . A Common Sandpiper was at Bel Croute. A Grey Heron was on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond and 40+ Swallows were feeding over the back fields there. In St Brelade's Bay were 6 Sandwich Terns and a Grey Heron and at St Aubin were 18 Redshanks . c 450 Black-headed Gulls were in the shelter of the New North Quay in St Helier. Evening update : At Anneport were a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Heron and in Queen's Valley this evening were a Kingfisher , a Grey Wagtail, a Teal , 16 Tufted Duck , 2 Common Sandpipers , 6 Greenshanks , 10 Chiffchaffs , 3 Goldcrests and a Firecrest . In Grouville Bay were 2 Greenshanks , a Redshank , 7 Dunlin , 6 Curlews , 25 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers , 16 Sanderlings , 50 Turnstones , 80 Sandwich Terns, a Grey Heron , 10 Little Egrets and the Curlew Sandpiper, with a possible second one seen. Yesterday evening, 8 Cattle Egrets were with heifers opposite to Holme Grown , in Grouville. At L'Etacq were 22 Ringed lovers and a Common Sandpiper.

15.09.2025 A juvenile Arctic Skua , pictured at sea off Jersey recently, image courtesy of John Ovenden JO A wild day with scattered showers in a strong to gale west-southwest wind. Seen from Corbiere this morning were 2 distant Sooty Shearwaters , 81 Balearic Shearwaters , 21 Manx Shearwaters , 62 Gannets , 2 Razorbills , 6 auk sp , 151 Sandwich Terns , 72 Great Black-backed Gulls , 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake and c 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins and on the headland, 2 Ravens and one Wheatear . In Petit Port Bay were 19 Curlews , 52 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Black-headed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond were 2 Grey Herons , a Little Grebe , 2 Tufted Duck , 5 Swallows and 50 House Martins , and near the Cutty Sark were 12 Ringed Plovers and 2 Wheatears . In the relative calm of Grouville Bay were a Curlew Sandpiper , 28 Sanderlings , 13 Dunlin , 18 Turnstones , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 16 Grey Plovers , 76 Ringed Plovers , 3 Curlews , 3 Little Egrets , 85 Sandwich Terns , 3 Common Terns , 45 Linnets and a Wheatear . At La Sente were 23 Grey Herons , 2 Little Egrets and a Marsh Harrier , while in Grouville Marsh were 16 Cattle Egrets, 30 House Martins and 30 Swallows . At St Catherine's were 6 Turnstones , 6 Sandwich Terns , 2 Gannets , 15 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrests and 2 Short-toed Treecreepers . In Beaumont Marsh were 25 Yellow Wagtails , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 65 Herring Gulls . On Grouville Common yesterday were 5 juvenile Cirl Buntings and at St Catherine's on Saturday were 13 Wheatears, 20 Linnets and 2 Chiffchaffs .

14.09.2025 A juvenile Common Gull, at sea recently, a beautiful image taken by John Ovenden JO An overcast day with a lighter south-southeast wind which allowed a little more by way of visible migration. Seen through the morning at Noirmont were 105 Swallows , 140 Meadow Pipits , 52 Yellow Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 312 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Whinchat , 4 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , a Whitethroat , 2 Dartford Warblers , a Grey Heron , an immature Peregrine (chasing a Sparrowhawk ), 3 Choughs and 2 Marsh Harriers . At Beauport Common were 2 Wheatears , 4 Chiffchaffs and 10 Meadow Pipits . A further 6 Wheatears were at Grosnez. On the rocks at Corbiere were 18 Turnstones and the first returning Purple Sandpiper of the Autumn. At the now flooded Scrape were 5 Yellow Wagtails , 60 Swallows , 40 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins , while in the Sandpits were a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets , 22 Little Grebes , 2 Pochard , 36 Tufted Duck , a Common Sandpiper , 10+ House Martins , 10 Swallows and a Kestrel . In St Ouen's Bay were 71 Sandwich Terns , 9 Mediterranean Gulls , 26 Great Black-backed Gulls and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . 39 Ringed Plovers were near Sands. At Petit Port were 31 Curlews , a Common Sandpiper , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a further 78 flying over, a Yellow-legged Gull and 12 Little Egrets . In Beaumont Marsh were 23 Yellow Wagtails , 5 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk . Seen from La Rocque were 35 Sandwich Terns , 28 Curlews , 20 Sanderlings , 12 Grey Plovers , 43 Turnstones and 6 Swallows moving South. In the fields behind La Rocque were a Tree Pipit , 14 Meadow Pipits , 35 Yellow Wagtails , a Willow Warbler , 5 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap . At La Sente were 17 Grey Herons , 6 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 6 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Marsh Harriers . At Pontac were a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets , 2 Swallows , 5 Sandwich Terns , 200+ Oystercatchers and 2 alba Wagtails . At the Les Pres end of Grouville Marsh were 9 Cattle Egrets , a Yellow Wagtail , a Grey Wagtail , a Reed Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 50+ Chiffchaffs , 20 Blackcaps , 4 Cetti's Warblers , 30 Swallows , 30 House Martins , a Raven and a Marsh Harrier . Near to Holme Grown in Grouville were 3 Cattle Egrets and a further 5 Cattle Egrets were at Five Oaks.