31.12.2024 To finish the year, a nice view of the ringtail Hen Harrier at Crabbe today. MD
A brighter day today, but with a fresh Southerly wind making it feel cold.
At St Ouen's Pond, and in the fields behind it were a male Hen Harrier, 6 Marsh Harriers, a Merlin, 19 Teal, 4 Pochard, 15 Shovelers, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Grey Herons, 35 Lapwings, 5 Snipe, 3 Water Rails, 5 Cormorants, 94 Skylarks, 15 Meadow Pipits, a Water Pipit, 50 Stock Doves and 30 Chaffinches. At Sands were 14 Ringed Plovers, 11 Sanderlings and 12 Dunlin. Seen from Le Pulec were 8 Gannets, 100+ auk sp, 15 Kittiwakes, 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Little Egrets, a Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail and 30 Rock Pipits.
On Mont Matthieu were another 67 Skylarks, 22 Redwings, 25 Meadow Pipits, 50 Chaffinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Stonechats, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 2 Shovelers, a Tufted Duck and 2 Snipe. At Crabbe this morning were the ringtail Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel, 200+ mixed finches, including Chaffinches, Linnets and Goldfinches, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, a Raven and a Chough.
Passing Corbiere in ninety minutes this morning were 16 Brent Geese, a Common Scoter, 58 Razorbills, 35 Guillemots, 28 Shags, 31 Gannets, 22 Kittiwakes, 7 Mediterranean Gulls, 24 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Seen at La Sente this morning were 2 Wigeon, 20 Grey Herons, 3 Redshanks, 40 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Pied Wagtails, a Song Thrush and 2 Ravens. On Grouville Common were 30 Redwings. On Grands Vaux reservoir were 12 Tufted Ducks, 8 Redwings and a Chiffchaff. At St Aubin were 32 Redshanks and a Little Egret and on Beaumont Marsh were 7 Shovelers and 2 Teal.
Today's Vallee des Vaux list included a Barn Owl, 4 Bullfinches, 4 Redwings, 3 Firecrests, 2 Goldcrests, 28 Ravens and at last light, 6 Woodcocks.
A Happy New Year to all our readers and a big thanks to all our contributors, who make this news item possible.
Mick
