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 April 2026
20.04.2026 A pair of Shoveler at St Ouen's Pond TP. Another sunny day but with a fresh easterly wind. A few more records from yesterday Cuckoos were seen at Portinfer and Bouley Bay also 11 Wheatears at Les Landes. A male White Wagtail was found at Chateau Clairval Farm, probably a breeding bird. Plenty of Wheatears were around today mainly along the south coast with 8 at Corbiere, 3 at La Rosiere, a single at Beauport, 5 at Noirmont and a single on Beauport Common, where a male Stonechat was also present. At St Ouen's Pond a pair of Shovelers, 4 Tufted Ducks, a pair of Coot with young, a single drake Pochard, 3 Marsh Harriers, a little Grebe, 3 Snipe, up to 10 Swifts plus a steady movement of Swallows, Sand Martins and a few House Martins. A flock of 10 Whimbrels were also seen this morning and a Sedge Warbler was song flighting north of the Pond. At La Sente just 2 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 10 White and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
19 April 2026
19.04.2026 A whitethroat near Kempt Tower taken last week by Romano. A sunny day with a light north-east wind. The first Swifts of the spring were seen this morning at the Elizabeth Ferry Terminal along with a few Swallows moving through and a pair of White Wagtails on the roof. At La Sente 3 Brent Geese , 4 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails. The Woodchat Shrike was still at Noirmont this morning along with 11 Wheatears, a Swift, 2 Sand Martins, a Tree Pipit and 5 Whitethroats. Two Willow Warblers were in Les Creux Country Park and another near Trinity Manor. In St Ouen's Bay 7 Snipe and 2 Shovelers were seen from the Wetland Centre and on the Scrape 13 Yellow Wagtails, 9 Wheatears, the White-fronted Goose and 2 Lapwings. Near Kempt Tower Ponds 2 very vocal Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Ducks, 3 Reed Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler. Near the Francis Le Sueur Centre 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Greenfinch, a Firecrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Finally On Grouville Golf Course 2 Cirl Buntings, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and on Rue du Pont 4 Wheatears.
by Romano da Costa 18 April 2026
18.04.2026 Bird of the year, so far, was this handsome Woodchat Shrike that was seen at Noirmont today. The first record of this species in the Island since 2019 RdC Also seen at Noirmont alongside the Woodchat Shrike were 6 Wheatear , a Whitethroat , 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Swallow . Passing Corbiere were 2 Manx Shearwater , a Great Northern Diver , 3 Guillemot , 2 Fulmar , 2 Gannet , 2 Swallow and a Wheatear . Seen at St Ouen's Pond from dawn were 25 Sedge Warbler , 15 Reed Warbler , 3 Willow Warbler , 5 Chiffchaff , 3 Blackcap , a Whitethroat , 6 Wheatear , 2 Reed Bunting , 25 Swallow , 40 Sand Martin , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 Whimbrel , a Curlew and a Sandwich Tern . At La Sente were 2 Little Ringed Plover , 3 Brent Geese , 2 Little Egret , 2 Swallow , a Wheatear and 2 White Wagtail while at Le Hocq were 2 Wheatear , 8 Curlew , 58 Oystercatcher , 6 Little Egret and 5 Brent Geese . 4 Swallow and a Grey Heron were at Beaumont Marsh and 2 House Martin were at La Hougie Bie. Yesterday, a Cuckoo was heard calling in the woods of Les Creux country park, the first reported this spring. Below, another view of the Woodchat Shrike thanks to Jo Bramley.
by Romano da Costa 17 April 2026
17.04.2026 An often tricky species to photograph, this Cetti's Warbler sat in the open for Alan Gicquel this morning. Around St Ouen's Pond were 2 Shelduck , 4 Shoveler , 2 Snipe , 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 7 Reed Warbler , a Sedge Warbler , a Reed Bunting and 6 Wheatear . Whitethroat were heard singing along Les Vaux Cuissin and Ville au Bas in St Ouen and 2 Wheatear and a Cetti's Warbler were along Rue a L'Eau. At Noirmont were 4 Wheatear , a Stonechat and a Dartford Warbler , at Gorselands 3 Wheatear and at Sorel 6 Wheatear , 4 Swallow and a Stonechat . A Swallow , a Wheatear and 2 Kestrel were at Grosnez and 9 Fulmar were on cliffs near Bouley Bay.
by Romano da Costa 16 April 2026
16.04.2026 A recent Little Ringed Plover at a very muddy La Sente RdC Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 8 Reed Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , 8 Chiffchaff , a Blackcap , 10 Swallow , 5 Sand Martin , 2 Wheatear , a Snipe and 2 Stonechat while in the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck and 40 Sand Martin . At Le Mielle de Morville were 2 Whitethroat , a Willow Warbler and 3 Cetti's Warbler , with another Cetti's Warbler on Mont Matthieu and at Le Pulec 2 Shelduck and 2 Stonechat . At Les Landes were 3 Wheatear and 3 Stonechat and at Beauport were 2 Wheatear . Seen at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , a Grey Wagtail , 7 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Brent Geese while at Queen's Valley was a Common Sandpiper and 2 Shelduck were near Gorey. In a garden at La Pouquelaye were 2 Bullfinch , 2 Blackcap , 3 Goldcrest and a Sparrowhawk .
by Romano da Costa 15 April 2026
15.04.2026 A pair of Mallard enjoy what little water is left at La Sente RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh this morning were a Grasshopper Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , 5 Reed Warbler , 10 Chiffchaff , 8 Blackcap , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Bullfinch , a Teal and a Snipe . 30 Brent Geese were at La Rocque while 6 more were at La Sente and on Grands Vaux were 16 Tufted Duck . In the Sandpits were 2 Whimbrel , 6 Oystercatcher and 2 Shelduck while on the Scrape were 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , a Reed Warbler , a Skylark and a Wheatear with 20 Sand Martin , 2 Reed Warbler and 2 Snipe at the Pond. On the Blanches Banques were a Whitethroat and 7 Swallow while at Petit Port were 4 Great Black-backed Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 2 Shelduck and a Whimbrel Up at Les Landes were 2 Whitethroat and 3 Wheatear and at Gorselands were 4 Dartford Warbler and a Peregrine .
by Romano da Costa 14 April 2026
14.04.2026 A White Wagtail still enjoying the mud at La Sente RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh today were 6 Swallow , a Grey Wagtail , a White Wagtail , 2 Snipe , a Teal , 2 Reed Warbler , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 4 Bullfinch , 2 Grey Heron , and 2 Raven while in Grouville Bay were 2 Shelduck, 24 Brent Geese , 7 Curlew and a Gannet. At La Sente were 3 Brent Geese , 5 White Wagtail and a Peregrine . Up at Les Landes were 52 Linnet , a Dartford Warbler and 3 Marsh Harrier. On St Ouen's Pond were 8 Shoveler , 7 Tufted Duck , 2 Snipe , 2 Reed Warbler , 3 Swallow , 25 Sand Martin and 18 Great Black-backed Gull while the White-fronted Goose , 4 Lapwing and 2 Wheatear were on the Scrape. In St Catherine's woods were a Bullfinch , a Grey Heron , a Firecrest and a Raven with many Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing. At West Park were 27 Great Black-backed Gull and a Little Egret while 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were near St Aubin.
by Romano da Costa 13 April 2026
13.04.2026 A recently arrived Whitethroat , singing away RdC Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 5 Reed Warbler , 3 Blackcap , 6 Chiffchaff , a Snipe , 30 Swallow , a House Martin , 10 Sand Martin , 12 Tufted Duck , a Shoveler and 4 Barnacle Geese , possibly 6 flying in. In the Sandpit were 2 Shelduck , 6 Tufted Duck , a Grey Heron , 2 Stonechat and 40 Sand Martin . At Ouaisne were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Dartford Warbler with another Dartford Warbler at Portelet. A Wheatear , a Dartford Warbler and 3 Swallow were at La Rosiere and roosting at Petit Port were a Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Shelduck . La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , 2 Brent Geese , the Blue-headed Wagtail , 4 White Wagtail , 2 Swallow and a Peregrine . Yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Sedge Warbler , 2 Reed Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 20 Swallow , 20 Sand Martin , 2 House Martin , a Reed Bunting , 4 Snipe , a Grey Heron and a Wigeon .
by Romano da Costa 12 April 2026
12.04.2026 The handsome Blue-headed Wagtail at La Sente, thanks to Stuart Matthews for the photo Seen from Plemont this morning were 36 Swallow , 14 House Martin , a Peregrine , 16 Razorbill , 12 Fulmar and 2 Dartford Warbler . On the Scrape were the White-fronted Goose , 3 Lapwing , 2 Wheatear and 10 Swallow with another 6 Swallow on Mont Matthieu and at Kempt Tower were 2 Shoveler , a Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Warbler . Seen at La Sente were the Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 5 White Wagtail , a Little Egret , 2 Brent Geese and 4 Little Ringed Plover . At St Aubin were 43 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , 2 Curlew and 11 Oystercatcher while at Beaumont Marsh were 3 Brent Geese , a Swallow and a Grey Heron . Below, a short video of the Blue-headed Wagtail , thanks to Jo Bramley
by Romano da Costa 11 April 2026
11.04.2026 The female Shelduck at La Sente recently RdC Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were the 4 Barnacle Geese , 2 Shelduck , 15 Teal , 5 Shoveler , 3 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 100 Sand Martin , 2 House Martin and 3 Swallow . Roosting at Petit Port were 74 Oystercatcher , 3 Curlew , a Brent Goose and 2 Shelduck . At St Aubin were 24 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Curlew while at Beaumont Marsh were 12 Pale-bellied Brent , 4 Brent Geese and a Grey Heron . At La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Brent Geese , 2 Little Ringed Plover , a Cattle Egret and a Black-headed Gull while on Rue du Pont were 4 Cattle Egret and 30 Swallow . 3 Gannet were seen from Rozel. Extras at La Sente this evening where Little Ringed Plover were up to 4, also a Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 10 White Wagtail , 4 Brent Geese , 2 Cattle Egret and 2 Swallow with 5 House Martin nearby. at Grouville Marsh were 26 Swallow , 2 House Martin , a Sand Martin , 2 Tufted Duck and a Sparrowhawk .
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