Jersey Birds

03.11.2025 Woodpigeons heading off into the rising sun at Noirmont this morning. Image: MD A day of high cloud, with just an isolated shower in a strong and gusty southwest wind. Mild at 16c Early morning migration over Noirmont was dominated by Woodpigeons , with 5,020 counted in the first ninety minutes of daylight. Other species also heading off included 6 Stock Doves , 12 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 30 Meadow Pipits , 182 Chaffinches , 16 Siskins , 24 Goldfinches , 3 Linnets , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were a single Brent Goose , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk and 11 Ravens with a Goldcrest calling on the ground. Passing Victoria Tower early were 5 Swallows , 237 Chaffinches , 11 Goldfinches , 2 Song Thrushes , 58 Woodpigeons , 14 Stock Doves , 3 Meadow Pipits, with 2 Goldcrests also seen. On Grouville Common was a Wheatear and in Grouville Bay were 675 Brent Geese including one pale-belled Brent , and at Holmegrown were 76 Cattle Egrets . In Grouville Marsh were a Reed Bunting , 2 Blackcaps , 12 Chiffchaffs , 4 Goldcrests , 4 Cetti's Warblers , a Grey Wagtail , a Sparrowhawk, 70 Jackdaws and a Water Rail . At La Rocque were 97 Grey Plovers , 82 Sanderlings , 10 Dunlin , 3 Redshanks , 32 Turnstones and 16 Curlews . In Vallee des Vaux were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , a Grey Wagtail, a Siskin and 6 Greenfinches . In Petit Port Bay were 15 Curlews , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Turnstones and hundreds of Herring Gulls . Earlier, on the patch at Corbiere were 15 Mediterranean Gulls, 26 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake , 6 Gannets , and a few Razorbills . On St Ouen's Pond were 27 Shovelers and 4 Little Grebes . At Pont Marquet, on the Railway Walk were at least 5 Firecrests and 3 Goldcrests . Yesterday evening Barn Owls were in Vallee des Vaux and on Trinity Hill and a late report from Friday (31st) was of a Wheatear on Les Landes.

02.11.2025 A young Arctic Tern on a very windy St Catherine's Breakwater today, image courtesy of David Buxton Another very blustery day with frequent showers this morning, winds from the West and strong. Seawatching from Corbiere this morning saw 91 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 24 Gannets , 45 Shags , 10 Cormorants , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 12 Black-headed Gulls , 29 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Kittiwakes , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Heron . The patch north of Corbiere light attracted over 200 Gulls , mainly Mediterranean Gulls and Black-headed Gulls , also a few Gannets and auks . At Le Pulec this afternoon were over 500 Herring Gulls , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls, 600 Oystercatchers , 53 Curlews , 19 Shags and 11 Little Egrets . In Petit Port Bay were 29 Curlews , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Black-headed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Lapwing and 7 Teal and at Noirmont were 12 Stonechats . In the relative calm of Vallee des Vaux this morning, were a Short-toed Treecreeper which was ringed and released, 2 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 6 Long-tailed Tits , 7 Greenfinches , a Siskin , 2 Redwings and a Sparrowhawk . Below : A video of today's Arctic Tern , with sound that confirms it was very windy there! Thanks again to David DB

01.11.2025 Two Barnacle Geese in flight with an Australian Wood Duck over the Scrape! No doubt, of very dubious provenance, but a very nice image taken by John Ovenden, nevertheless. Image: JO A Woodcock was seen standing on Mont Cochon before first light. In the fields behind La Rocque Harbour were 84 Cattle Egrets and flying over there, were a Snipe , a Skylark , 14 Meadow Pipits and 6 Chaffinches and in the fields around Grouville Parish Hall were 120 Goldfinches , 4 Linnets , a Reed Bunting , 6 Meadow Pipits , 100 Chaffinches , a Chiffchaff , a Stonechat , 2 Siskins , and a Skylark . In Grouville Marsh were a Reed Bunting , 6 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail . A thirty minute count of visible migrants over Victoria Tower saw 5 Bramblings , 3 Siskins , 2 Goldfinches , a Starling , a Grey Wagtail , 131 Chaffinches , 8 Redwings , 2 Song Thrushes , a Blackbird and on the ground, 2 Goldcrests . A similar exercise at Noirmont counted 2 Skylarks , 51 Woodpigeons , 52 Meadow Pipits , 85 Starlings , 2 Pied Wagtails , 32 Chaffinches and 3 Linnets , while on the ground there were a Mistle Thrush , 3 Song Thrushes, and a Peregrine flew over. Seabirds off Corbiere, mainly on the patch by the lighthouse, included 149 Razorbills , 38 Gannets , 104 Mediterranean Gulls , 60 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 12 Great Black-backed Gulls . A Grey Wagtail and 12 Meadow Pipits flew over. In Petit Port Bay were a Kingfisher , 4 Brent Geese , 24 Curlews , 8 Turnstones , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 11 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Grey Herons , 3 Little Egrets and a Sparrowhawk . On the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 31 Teal and 4 Marsh Harriers and a presumed escaped Australian Wood Duc k flew over with two Barnacle Geese . In a garden in Vallee des Vaux this afternoon were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps and 4 Redwings at Dusk. Below : The feeding area North of Corbiere Lighthouse on the rising tide today.

31.10.2025 A sub-adult and a juvenile Gannet passing Grosnez this week. Image: MD October bowed out with another blast from the South with some rain, but feeling mild at 16c. Some hardy souls heading off South from Noirmont early this morning, or arriving from the North, included a Ring Ouzel, 88 Redwings , 39 Song Thrushes , 3 Blackbirds , 10 Skylarks , 359 Woodpigeons , 159 Meadow Pipits , 2 Pied Wagtails , 75 Chaffinches , and 3 Linnets , with 4 Ravens , a Peregrine , a Kestrel and 2 Buzzards also seen there. On the morning high tide, there was a good gathering of seabirds feeding just North of the Corbiere Lighthouse, which included a Great Northern Diver , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 21 Razorbills , 22 Gannets , 56 Mediterranean Gulls , 45 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls , 4 Kittiwakes and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls , also a single Puffin was seen in St Ouen's Bay from a passing boat. In Petit Port Bay were 32 Curlews , 9 Brent Geese , 3 Little Egrets , 100+ Oystercatchers and a Kingfisher . A second Ring Ouzel was seen at Sorel this afternoon. At St Ouen's Pond, as viewed from the Wetland Centre, were 24 Shoveler , 26 Teal , 6 Reed Buntings and 2 Stonechats , with 20 Snipe flying over there. By Kempt Tower were 38 Ringed Plovers, 2 Skylarks , 3 Firecrests , 4 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest . Yesterday evening, Redwings were heard in flight over Vallee des Vaux.

30.10.2025 As October nears it's end, Woodpigeons are increasing in numbers on a daily basis ( weather permitting of course) Image: MD A dry day in an increasingly brisk southerly wind, ahead of more rain tomorrow. A far better day for visible migrants to move and passing Noirmont through this morning were 6 Woodlarks , 20 Skylarks , 11 Swallows , 1,290 Woodpigeons , 159 Starlings , 2,036 Chaffinches , 48 Linnets , 49 Goldfinches , 13 Siskins , a Mistle Thrush , 194 Meadow Pipits , 9 Pied Wagtails , 4 Stock Doves and offshore, a Little Gull , 30 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Cormorants . Just a few birds on the ground included 8 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , a Goldcrest and 2 Dartford Warblers , while local raptors on the scene included 2 Peregrines , a Kestrel , 3 Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk . Corvids at Noirmont included 2 Choughs , 4 Ravens and 40+ Crows . In Les Ormes Valley from Dawn were a Fieldfare , 3 Redwings , 20 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds , 4 Blackcaps , 10 Chiffchaffs , 8 Goldcrests , 4 Firecrests , 12 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Water Rails , and passing overhead were a Sparrowhawk , 6 Siskins , a Skylark , 90 Chaffinches , 6 Meadow Pipits , a Greenfinch , a Goldfinch , 5 Linnets , 75 Starlings , 17 Black-headed Gulls and a Marsh Harrier . On Ouaisne Common were a Grey Wagtail , 45 Chiffchaffs , 20 Firecrests , 12 Goldcrests , 5 Blackcaps , a Siskin , 15 Long-tailed Tits , a Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail . In Grouville Bay were 1,200 Brent Geese including one pale-bellied bird, 15 Ringed Plovers , a Bar-tailed Godwit , a Greenshank , 20 Grey Plovers and 50 Turnstones . In the Old Harbour in St Helier were several more Turnstones , a Kingfisher , an alba Wagtail , a Little Egret and a Raven . At Mont a L'Abbe were 2 Cattle Egrets and in Vallee des Vaux were a Redwing , 10 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests and another 8 Long-tailed Tits .

29.10.2025 Colour-ringed as an adult at Antwerp, Belgium in 2020 (white 30EV), this Mediterranean Gull made a return visit to Petit Port today, it's first re-sighting on the Island since July 2022. Image: MD Rain arrived from the southwest early today, remaining until this afternoon in a south-southwest wind, becoming northwest as the front cleared. Before the rain started, birds arriving or passing Noirmont included 536 Woodpigeons, 5 Stock Doves , 367 Chaffinches , 13 Goldfinches , 9 Siskins , 11 Starlings , 11 Meadow Pipits , 5 Cormorants , c10 Blackbirds and a Song Thrush . On the ground were a Firecrest , a Blackcap , 2 Dartford Warblers . Local raptors included 2 Peregrines , a Kestrel , a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard , also 6 Ravens were in the area. Seen from the Scrape Hide at St Ouen's Pond were 10 Teal , a late Reed Warbler ( photographed!), 2 Cetti's Warblers , 3 Stonechats , a Firecrest , a Chiffchaff , 20+ Meadow Pipits , and overhead, 3 Cormorants , 4 Black-headed Gulls and a Great Spotted Woodpecker . On St Ouen's Pond were 23 Shoveler and at Petit Port over the morning high tide were 37 Curlews , 6 Brent Geese , 3 Little Egrets and a single Mediterranean Gull (above). At St Helier Marina this evening were 2 Kingfishers and a roost of 420 alba Wagtail s. 4 Cattle Egrets were on Mont a L'Abbe.

28.10.2025 Woodpigeons diving for cover at Noirmont yesterday, due to the presence of two Peregrines ! Image: MD A mainly dry, but cloudy, day, mild at 15c in a fresh to strong westerly wind. The Woodpigeon migration season is starting to kick in across the Island and today 400 were seen at La rocque and another 350 at Beauport. A good passage of seabirds was seen from Grosnez this morning. Counts from there included 2 Balearic Shearwaters , a Manx Shearwater , one Fulmar , 185 Razorbills , 130 Gannets , 12 Sandwich Terns , a Little Gull , 391 Kittiwakes , 43 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 23 Great Black-backed Gulls , 282 Herring Gulls , mainly young birds, also 21 Shags , a Little Egret a Raven and a Kestrel . At L'Etacq were a Peregrine , 3 Ravens , 2 Choughs and 6 Rock Pipits and at the Wetland centre were 12 Shovelers . Seen from the GaP Hide at the Sandpits were a bathing Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 150 Coot , c100 Tufted Duck , 23 Little Grebes , 5 Pochard and 4 Grey Herons . On the East side of the island, 15 Cattle Egrets were at the Happy Hens and 35 Cattle Egrets were by Holme Grown. At La Sente were 2 Grey Herons , 40 Stock Doves , 2 Stonechats and 5 Ravens and in Queen's Valley were a Kingfisher , 3 Teal , 5 Greenshanks , 2 Grey Herons , 32 Tufted Duck , 2 Grey Wagtails and a Firecrest . 7 Grey Herons were behind the Seymour Inn and at the south end of Grouville Marsh were 3 Stonechats , 25 Chiffchaffs , 2 Cetti's Warblers , a Bullfinch and 2 Marsh Harriers . At Le Hocq were 40 Curlews , 19 Brent Geese i ncluding 7 juveniles, 30 Oystercatchers and a Sandwich Tern and in Robin Bay were 23 Sanderlings , 18 Turnstones , 25 Grey Plovers, 3 Brent Geese and 15 Oystercatchers . In fields around La Coupe were 22 Common Gulls , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , 126 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests , and flying over were 3 Song Thrushes , 6 Siskins , and a few Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits . 3 Cattle Egrets were at Rozel Manor. 2 Cormorants were feeding at Bouley Bay and 2 Choughs were at Sion. In Vallee des Vaux were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests and 3 Chiffchaffs . On the Farmer's Cricket Ground were 26 Pied Wagtails , 2 White Wagtails , 15 Meadow Pipits and 6 Goldfinches .

27.10.2025 One of two immature Peregrines which were operating at Noirmont today. Image: MD Early rain soon cleared, leaving a cloudy day with a strong west-northwest wind. Another windy morning at Corbiere saw a Merlin , 587 Razorbills , 16 Guillemots , 6 Common Scoters , one Manx Shearwater , 44 Gannets , 67 Kittiwakes , 23 Mediterranean Gulls , 14 Black-headed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 15 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Kestrels , in a three hour period. On St Ouen's Pond were 22 Shovelers and a Little Grebe . There was little by way of passerine migration via Noirmont, which was not surprising given the conditions, but among the few birds seen were 122 Woodpigeon , 4 Song Thrushes , 2 Blackbirds , a Redwing , 19 Linnets , 2 Goldfinches , 2 Chaffinches , 2 Pied wagtails, 3 Meadow Pipits , 2 Peregrines , a Buzzard , a Raven , also 3 Red Admiral butterflies. Among the birds in Grouville Bay were 1,207 Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 8 Ringed Plovers , 48 Sanderlings , 6 Redshanks , a Common Gull, 40 Linnets , 20 alba Wagtails , 6 Meadow Pipits and a Stonechat ,and 32 Cattle Egrets were by Holme Grown. In fields behind La Rocque were a Cattle Egret, 2 Common Gulls , 3 Stonechats , 5 Meadow Pipits , a Chiffchaff , a Song Thrush and a Siskin . In the fields by Grouville Parish Hall were 50 Goldfinches , 35 Chaffinches and 3 Meadow Pipits . At the top end of Queen's Valley reservoir was a Kingfisher and 7 Greenshanks were roosting farther down the reservoir. 10 Cattle Egrets were at Rozel Manor and at La Coupe were 4 Common Gulls , 2 Goldcrests , and a Sparrowhawk , while at Victoria Tower were 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest with a few Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Goldfinches passing overhead. At the Farmer's Cricket ground in St Martin were 22 Pied Wagtails , 2 White Wagtails and 12 Meadow Pits and at the pond in the Government House grounds were a Grey Heron and a Buzzard .

26.10.2025 Immature Gannets passing Grosnez this morning. Image: MD A mainly dry, but cloudy day in a brisk northwest wind. A Bittern was seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning. Seawatching from Corbiere saw a Sabine's Gull, 13 Little Gulls , 75 Mediterranean Gulls , 51 Black-headed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 52 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 93 Gannets , 105 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 2 Common Scoters , 3 Brent Geese , a Peregrine and 7 Chaffinches . In similar mode, counts from Grosnez included 2 Brent Geese , 2 Balearic Shearwaters , 124 Gannets , 87 Razorbills , 38 Little Gulls , 101 Black-headed Gulls , 91 Mediterranean Gulls, 105 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 13 Great Black-backed Gulls , 128 Herring Gulls , 22 Shags , 4 Ravens and 5 Meadow Pipits . A Wheatear was on Les Blanches Banques and at Petit Port were 31 Curlews and 180 Oystercatchers while at St Aubin were 28 Redshanks and 5 Turnstones . Cattle Egrets seen today included 50 + at La Petit Sente, with 1 Swallow also seen there, 2 at Mont a L'Abbe, 4 near Rozel Manor and 3 in Rue des Alleurs. At La Sente this morning were 6 Swallows , 9 Starlings , a Kestrel and 4 Ravens and at Le Petit Pre were 2 Buzzards , a Stonechat and 6 Long-tailed Tits . In Robin Bay at La Rocque were 42 Grey Plovers , 95 Oystercatchers , a Dunlin , 2 Little Egrets and 6 Swallows , with Curlews far out and 6 Little Egrets were at Le Hocq Lane.