Jersey Birds

27.09.2025 Willow Warblers have mostly gone past us now on the way back to Africa, so thanks to Alan Gicquel for this nice image of one at Kempt Tower pools recently. AG A day of high cloud, feeling cold in a fresh Southerly wind There was far less by way of migration through the Island today, despite seemingly suitable conditions. Seen at Noirmont this morning were 240 Swallows , 14 House Martins , 3 Sand Martins, 34 Linnets , 4 Chaffinches , 4 Greenfinches , 2 Stonechats , a Song Thrush , a Blackcap , 5 Chiffchaffs , 3 Cormorants and a Grey Heron , while local birds included 5 Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier , a Peregrine , 2 Kestrels , 2 Choughs , 10+ Ravens and c60 Crows . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Wheatears , 50 Linnets , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 20 Meadow Pipits, a Marsh Harrier and 3 Buzzards . 20 Redshanks and 15 Turnstones were roosting at St Aubin, a Little Grebe was in the top pond at Queen's Valley and 12 Cattle Egrets were at La Lourderie, near La Rocque. 2 Little Egrets were at Rozel harbour. A Glossy Ibis was seen at Fauvic Marsh and Spotted Flycatchers were reported from the Frances le Sueur Centre in St Ouen's Bay. Some late records from Sorel yesterday, include 8 Swallows , 14 Linnets , 6 Meadow Pipits , 4 Chiffchaffs and a Buzzard . Below: Wigeon on the Scrape this week, with thanks to Jo Bramley for the short video

26.09.2025 This young Sabine's Gull was seen to the West of St Ouen's Bay recently and thanks go to John Ovenden for this glorious image. A cold feeling day with overcast skies and a moderate northeast wind (13c) Migrants passing Noirmont in the overcast conditions included a juvenile Hobby , 2,184 Swallows, 1,039 House Martins, 9 Sand Martins , 488 Meadow Pipits , 7 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , 8 alba Wagtails , 62 Linnets , 3 Chaffinches , a Wheatear , a Whitethroat , 2 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , 7 Grey Herons , along with local birds which incuded a Marsh Harrier , 3 Peregrines , 4 Buzzards , 2 Kestrels , 7 Jackdaws , 12 Ravens and a Dartford Warbler . Passing offshore were a flock of 7 Eider , 4 Arctic Skuas , 30+ Balearic Shearwaters, a Manx Shearwater , 50+ Sandwich Terns , 10 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls and 14 Gannets . In Grouville Marsh were 50 Chiffchaffs , 2 Reed Warblers , a Sedge Warbler , 5 Blackcaps , 6 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Firecrests , 2 Bullfinches , and flying over were 8 Siskins , 25 Meadow Pipits and 20 Swallows . Also seen were 4 Water Rails, 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Ravens , 55 Jackdaws and an alba Wagtail . A Great Crested Grebe was at Seymour in Grouville Bay and in fields around La Rocque were 6 Stonechats , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 5 White Wagtails , a Blackcap , 4 Chiffchaffs and overflying were 28 Swallows , 2 Siskins and 23 Meadow Pipits . 14 Cattle Egrets were in Route des Cotils. At Pontac were 220 Oystercatchers and 8 Sandwich Terns . Around St Aubin's Bay, 4 Grey Herons , 12 Curlews and 200+ Oystercatchers were at Elizabeth Castle, 35 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 25 dark-bellied Brent Geese , a Grey Heron and 11 Ravens were at St Aubin, 6 Sandwich Terns were at Small Roads and 30 Swallows flew over Beaumont Marsh. 347 Swallows were counted flying over Kempt Tower in 30 minutes, 3 Willow Warblers , a Chiffchaff , 24 Linnets , a Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Heron were at the Scrape, and 3 Ravens plus 4 Buzzards were by St Lawrence Church. Extras for yesterday include 1,500 Swallows roosting in Maize at Trinity and a Wheatear plus 7 Grey Herons seen at Sorel.

25.09.2025 Last week's Curlew Sandpipers have moved on, but not before Romano got this beautiful image in Grouville Bay RDC A fair to cloudy day, with a distinct Autumnal feel in a fresh northeast wind (17c) 2 Purple Herons flew in from the South over Beauport this morning, heading North but not seen since. Also there, were the Wryneck again, 2 Stonechats , a Whitethroat , 2 Chiffchaffs , 4 Dartford Warblers and overhead, 25 House Martins , 33 Swallows and 2 Cormorants . Counts from the Noirmont bunker this morning included 2,056 Swallows , 1,109 House Martins, a Sand Martin , 22 Siskins , 18 Chaffinches , 28 Linnets , a Skylark , a Song Thrush , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 alba Wagtails , 278 Meadow Pipits , a Wheatear , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , a Grey Heron , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 16 Ravens , 23 Cormorants and 9 Black-headed Gulls . On the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Wigeon, 4 Teal, a Redshank , a Snipe and the Yellow-crowned Bishop . At Kempt Tower were 40 Ringed Plovers , 4 Sanderlings and a Dunlin In fields around Grouville Marsh or flying over were 10 Cattle Egrets , a Redstart , 12 Blackcaps , 30 Chiffchaffs , a Sedge Warbler , 4 Cetti's Warblers , 16 Siskins , 20 Goldfinches , 15 Linnets , 3 Chaffinches , a Song Thrush , 60 Jackdaws , a Chough , 2 Ravens , 2 Marsh Harriers , a Sparrowhawk , 100 Swallows , 30 House Martins and 25 Meadow Pipits . At La Sente were 19 Grey Herons , a Yellow Warbler and a Marsh Harrier and on Grouville Common were 3 Wheatears . In Grouville Bay were 31 Ringed Plovers, 15 Dunlin and 7 Sanderlings roosting on the sea wall at the northern end. 2 Wheatears and 4 Brent Geese were also there and a further 2 Wheatears were at Seymour. In the fields behind La Rocque were 4 Stonechats , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , while flying over were 62 Swallows , 22 House Martins , a Siskin and 18 Meadow Pipits during a twenty minute count. A similar count at Victoria Tower saw 34 Swallows , 8 House Martins , 8 Meadow Pipits and a White Wagtail fly by with 14 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap and 16 Long-tailed Tits on the ground. On the Farmer's Cricket ground in St Martin were 4 Yellow Wagtails , 8 White Wagtails and 24 Meadow Pipits and in nearby Rue du Huquet were a male Redstart and House Martins still feeding young in the nest.

24.09.2025 A Spotted Flycatcher at Noirmont this week, with thanks to Tony Paintin for this nice image. TP A mainly dry day in a fresh east-northeast wind Many of the recent grounded migrants had gone by this morning, but still a nice range of birds to report. Swallows and House Martins were to the fore again, being reported from all around the Island in good numbers as they pass quickly through. Counted at Noirmont this morning were 3,044 Swallows and 1,246 House Martins moving South as well as 13 Sand Martins , 2 Hobbies , a Merlin , 6 Yellow Wagtails , 227 Meadow Pipits , 2 Grey Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 10 Starlings , 3 Song Thrushes and 65 Linnets . On the ground were 2 Wheatears , 3 Stonechats , a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff while hunting there were 2 Peregrines , a Marsh Harrier and 2 Sparrowhawks . Passing offshore were a Balearic Shearwater , 6 Gannets , 23 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Sandwich Terns and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . On Beauport Common, a Wryneck was still present along with a Redstart , a Peregrine and 5 passing Cormorants . 5 Sandwich Terns were at Bel Royal and at Petit Port were a Common Sandpiper , 24 Mediterranean Gulls and c100 Oystercatchers . At Grouville Marsh this morning were a Redstart , a Whinchat , a Sedge Warbler , 8 Blackcaps , 60 Chiffchaffs , 2 Willow Warblers , 8 Water Rails and a Grey Heron , while flying over there, apart from 350 Swallows and 60 House Martins , were 3 Sand Martins , a Siskin , 2 Song Thrushes , 4 Chaffinches , 2 Linnets , 25 Meadow Pipits, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Marsh Harriers. In Grouville Bay were 18 dark-bellied Brent Geese , 3 Common Gulls, 100+ Black - headed Gulls , 4 Sandwich Terns and a Bar-tailed Godwit . On Grouville Common were 7 Cirl Buntings, 4 Stonechats , 25 Linnets , 22 Meadow Pipits , and a few overflying hirundines and at La Sente were 20 Grey Herons . In Queen's Valley were a female Wigeon , 7 Greenshanks , 22 Tufted Ducks , a Common Sandpiper , 11 Moorhens and 14 Coot and at Archirondel were a Peregrine , 5 Sandwich Terns and up to 40 Swallows . Elsewhere on the Island, a Wheatear was at Sorel, a Grey Wagtail and more Swallows were at St Saviour's Cemetary and 2 Firecrests were in Vallee des Vaux. Evening update : At Haie Fleurie in St Martin were 4 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Wheatears and a Spotted Flycatcher . Swallows were still abundant with a roost of 2000+ in a Maize field in Trinity , also a Hobby was hunting there, and around 1000 Swallows were roosting at St Ouen's Pond. A female Pintail was on the Scrape along with a Grey Heron .

23.09.2025 A Glossy Ibis which has been visiting the Scrape in recent days, image courtesy of Stuart Matthews. A fine day, but feeling cool in a fresh east-northeast wind (13c) Despite an overnight clear out of yesterday's migrants, there was still plenty to be found around the Island today. The pick of this morning's birds at Noirmont was a Tawny Pipit which flew into the large field calling, and buried itself in the longer grass and was not relocated. Visible migrants passing through there included 3,473 Swallows, 564 House Martins, 29 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails , 483 Meadow Pipits , an alba Wagtail , a Cattle Egret, 217 Linnets, 8 Chaffinches and 3 Greenfinches , while on the ground were 8 Wheatears , a Whinchat , 7 Stonechats , 3 Whitethroats and 3 Chiffchaffs . 2 Peregrines and 3 Ravens were also in the area. A gang of 100+ Crows flew West early on. Offshore were 60 Balearic Shearwaters , 13 Cormorants , a Ringed Plover , 5 Mediterranean Gulls and 19 Sandwich Terns . Seen at Beauport were a Wryneck, 2 Whinchats, a Skylark and 2 Yellow Wagtails . Swallows were again dominating the scene with good numbers seen flying over St Brelade's Bay, Mont Matthieu and Rue de Bocage. At Beaumont Marsh were 6 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Chiffchaffs , with 164 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 10 Sandwich Terns at La Haule and 17 Redshanks , 3 Turnstones and 2 Little Egrets at St Aubin. A Wheatear was feeding on the beach there too. At the south end of Grouville Marsh were 60 Chiffchaffs , 2 Willow Warblers , 40 Blackcaps , a Whitethroat , a Redstart , 3 Reed Warblers , 2 Firecrests , 5 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Water Rails , while overhead there were 25 Meadow Pipits , 3 Song Thrushes, 60 Jackdaws , 3 Ravens , 2 Marsh Harriers , a Sparrowhawk , 250 Swallows and 20 House Martins . Seen during a brief visit to Victoria Tower were 564 Swallows , 34 House Martins , 3 Sand Martins , 30 Meadow Pipits , 2 Ravens , a Sparrowhawk and 13 Brent Geese heading into Grouville Bay. Around Kempt Tower pools were a Grey Heron , a Green Sandpiper , a Water Rail , 2 Marsh Harriers , a Willow Warbler and 3 Buzzards , while on Mont Matthieu were a troupe of 9 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Blue Tits, a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrests and a Short-toed Treecreeper , but no signs of yesterday's warbler sp. At Sorel were a Wheatear, a Stonechat and 12 Choughs and on St John's Road were up to 10 Cattle Egrets . Sadly, yesterday's Nightjar which had been taken into care, died overnight, probably having been mauled by an animal, judging by it's injuries. Evening update: On Beauport Common this evening were a Redstart , 2 Stonechats , a Wheatear and 2 Dartford Warblers . There was a roost of c1000 Swallows in a Maize field near Trinity Manor with at least 2 Sand Martins present, and a Sparrowhawk lurking nearby. Below : A short video of the Glossy Ibis, with thanks again to Stuart Matthews.

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