by Michael Dryden
•
8 October 2026
08.10.2026 Skylark in flight over Noirmont MD A cold-feeling day at 15c in a gusty northwest wind and occasional showers. A good mix of species seen at, or passing Noirmont this morning included 2 Golden Plovers , a Ring Ouzel , 12 Song Thrushes , 9 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting , 93 Swallows , 4 House Martins , 189 Meadow Pipits , 49 alba Wagtails , 5 Siskins , 213 Linnets , 15 Chaffinches , 16 Goldfinches , 6 Cormorants , 16 Woodpigeons , 24 Stonechats , 4 Wheatears , 4 Chiffchaffs , a pale-phased Buzzard , a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs , while offshore were 61 Gannets , 19 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 14 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull . A flock of 70+ Woodpigeons was seen in flight over Mont Les Vaux. On Beauport Common were a Wheatear , a Stonechat , a Dartford Warbler , and 100 Linnets , while passing overhead were a Skylark , a Grey Wagtail and an alba Wagtail . At St Ouen's Pond were 29 Teal , 4 Shovelers , a Snipe , 3 Grey Herons and 2 Marsh Harriers and on the Scrape were 17 Teal , a Grey Heron and a pair of Stonechat . At Petit Port this evening were 18 Curlews , 37 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher . Seen over Victoria Tower in one hour from first light were 4 Song Thrushes , 5 Swallows , 3 House Martins , 12 Meadow Pipits , 3 Linnets , 2 Chaffinches , a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards and 2 Ravens , while on the ground there, were 2 Firecrests , and 3 Chiffchaffs . At Grouville Golf Course were a Hobby and 14 Swallows . In St Catherine's Woods were a Bullfinch , a Grey Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker . Between Archirondel and St Catherine's were 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets , a Kestrel and 2 Buzzards . In Grouville Marsh this morning were 45 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 3 Siskins , 4 Water Rails and a Bullfinch , and passing over were 8 Song Thrushes, 12 Swallows , 7 House Martins , 8 Meadow Pipits , 4 Goldfinches , and 2 Chaffinches . In Grouville Bay were 178 Brent Geese and 25 Linnets . On Grands Vaux reservoir were a Grey Wagtail and 3 Teal , while in Great Union Road in St Helier was a party of 7+ Long-tailed Tits. Back to yesterday , when on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 6 Snipe and a male Wigeon