Jersey Birds

05.01.2025 Peregrine Falcon at Corbiere MD It was back to mild conditions at 13c today, but with an overcast sky and periods of rain in a strong south-southwest wind. A quiet day on the birding front. Seen at La Rocque were 2 Great Northern Divers , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 245 Oystercatchers and 5 Ringed Plovers , while at La Sente were 73 Redshanks , 8 Curlews , 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 450 Black-headed Gulls . On St Ouen's Pond were 18 Teal , a Shoveler , 2 Little Grebes , 42 Lapwings , 170 Brent Geese , 8 Snipe , a Mediterranean Gull and 4 Black-headed Gulls . A pair of Stonechats were at St Ouen's Church. Seen passing Corbiere early on were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 8 Razorbills , a Fulmar , 53 Gannets , 18 Shags , 4 Cormorants and a Kittiwake . On Beaumont Marsh were 2 Stonechats , 2 Shovelers , a Little Egret , 2 Chiffchaffs and 15 Meadow Pipits and on Ruelle es Ruaux were 3 Shovelers , 2 Little Egrets and a Pied Wagtail .  In Vallee des Vaux today were 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , a Blackcap , 4 Bullfinches , 6 Redwings , 5 Ravens and 7 Woodcock .

04.01.2025 Blackcaps are visiting gardens around the Island in good numbers. This male was pictured at Red Houses yesterday MD A cold day (4c) with rain this afternoon, winds fresh from the southeast. A male Goosander passed La Coupe shortly after sunrise heading south, so could find a reservoir to it's liking in the Island. Also seen there were 4 Great Northern Divers , a Black-throated Diver, 8 Red-throated Divers , 12 Brent Geese , 40 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 3 Kittiwakes , 24 Common Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 14 Black-headed Gulls , a Raven and 20 Redwings , with 3 Porpoises offshore. At Crabbe were a male and a ringtailed Hen Harrier, 4 Marsh Harriers , 2 Kestrels , 30 Linnets , 50 Chaffinches and 2 Ravens , with a Porpoise seen offshore there. In Rue des Chases, St John were 150 Chaffinches and in Beechfield Road were 400 Chaffinches and 15 Redwings . In Causie Lane, St Clement were 250 Brent Geese, at Le Hocq were 120 Curlews and at La Sente were 26 Grey Herons , 14 Little Egrets and 55 Redshanks . In Rue du Hocq were 19 Cattle Egrets and in Rue Cotils in Grouville another 6 Cattle Egrets . Checks of reservoirs around the Island found 12 Tufted Ducks and 8 Redwings at Grands Vaux, 17 Tufted Ducks and 82 Mallards at Handois, a Grey Heron and 8 Cormorants on Millbrook and 14 Tufted Ducks plus a Grey Wagtail at Dannemarche. In Jersey Zoo yesterday was a Water Rail . Garden birds included 2 Blackcaps and 2 Greenfinches at Rue du Hocq, a Grey Wagtail at Greve de Lecq and another Grey Wagtail in Great Union Road, St Helier. In Vallee des Vaux were 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , a Blackcap , 8 Redwings , 2 Ravens and 7 Woodcock at Dusk. Elsewhere, a pair of Stonechats were at Home Farm in St Mary, 26 Redwings were on Mont Pellier, and 11 Ravens were over Rue des Arbres in St Helier. Below : A cute video of the Bittern at St Ouen's Pond, courtesy of Stuart Matthews.

03.01.2025 A pod of c40 Common Dolphins was attracting a lot of attention from the seabirds off Grosnez this morning, coming close in below the cliff at times, as seen here MD A cloudy day with excellent visibility for a change, cold at 5c but in a light easterly wind Seabirds were to the fore today. Seen from Grosnez were 2 Black-throated Divers , 14 Red-throated Divers, 2 Guillemots , 60+ Razorbills , 25 Fulmars , 75 Gannets , 19 Shags , a Little Gull , 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 45 Kittiwakes , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 5 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls , mostly attending the feeding frenzy of the Common Dolphins . Also passing were a juvenile Marsh Harrier , a Peregrine and a Raven . Passing Corbiere were a Black-throated Diver , 19 diver sp , probably mainly Red-throated Divers and 300+ auks , all far offshore, 13 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 70 Gannets , 28 Shags , 6 Mediterrranean Gulls , 7 Kittiwakes , a Peregrine and 2 Curlews . 20 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were offshore there early on. Seen from La Coupe were a Great Northern Diver , 11 Red-throated Divers , one unidentified diver , 2 Gannets , 4 Common Gulls , 2 Curlews and a Grey Heron . At La Rocque were 2 Redshanks , a Little Egret and a Grey Heron and at Grouville Marsh were a Jack Snipe , 12 Snipe , a Woodcock , 6 Teal and 30 Coot . Between Bel Royal and the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 273 Brent Geese and at St Aubin were a further 18 Brent Geese , 6 of them pale-belled birds, 6 Curlews , 3 Little Egrets and a Black-necked Grebe . A Teal was at Beaumont Marsh and 3 Shovelers were in a flooded field at Ruelle es Ruaux, St Peter. One ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen at Crabbe along with 4 Skylarks and 2 Stonechats and the wintering Brambling paid another garden visit at Beauport. 4 Stonechats were at La Pulente. Below : more images of Common Dolphins at Grosnez today MD

01.01.2025 What better way to start 2025 than with these images of the Bittern at St Ouen's Pond, taken by Romano RDC A wild start to the year with strong and increasing southwesterly winds ahead of rain in the afternoon At La Sente this morning were 71 Redshanks , 24 Grey Herons , 10 Little Egrets , 246 Brent Geese , 2 Ravens and 30 Pied Wagtails, while in Grouville Bay were 4 Great Crested Grebes , 500 Brent Geese , 276 Turnstones , a Mediterranean Gull and 175 Black-headed Gulls . At Gorey were 17 Common Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 550 Black-headed Gulls . At La Rocque were 500 Dunlin , 220 Sanderlings , 95 Grey Plovers , 246 Oystercatchers , 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Peregrine , 4 Gannets and a Great Crested Grebe . 35 Coot were in Grouv ille Marsh. Little was moving off Corbiere in the wind and seen in two hours were 8 Guillemots , 6 Razorbills , 7 auk sp , 30 Gannets , 34 Shags , 3 Cormorants , a Kittiwake , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 60 Great Black-backed Gulls , 7 Turnstones and a Peregrine . In Petit Port Bay were 43 Curlews , 205 Oystercatchers and 16 Brent Geese . Seen from the Wetland Centre at St Ouen's Pond were a Bittern , 2 Grey Herons , a Little Grebe , 24 Shovelers , 7 Coot , 7 Snipe , a Song Thrush , a Water Pipit and a Lesser Black-backed Gull . A Mistle Thrush was in fields near the Scout Hut on the Five Mile Road with 2 Long-eared Owls also seen nearby. On Rue de la Mer were the Pink-footed Goose with it's Barnacle Goose friend. Up at Crabbe were 2 Hen Harriers , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Peregrine , 150 Chaffinch , 200 Linnet , 40 Goldfinch , 30 Meadow Pipit and 2 Raven . In Vallee des Vaux were 2 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , 3 Bullfinches , a Blackcap , a Chiffchaff , a Grey Wagtail , 7 Ravens and 6 Woodcock at Dusk. Below: Thanks again to Romano for these beautiful images of the Bittern at St Ouen's Pond

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

30.12.2024 A young Grey Heron attending to it's plumage at Corbiere this morning MD The grey days continue, today with some drizzle later morning on, in a moderate southerly wind. In Grouville Bay this afternoon were 550 Brent Geese , 2 Sandwich Terns , 208 Grey Plovers, 31 Ringed Plovers and 32 Curlews with 2 Wigeon still at La Sente. At St Clement's Meadow were 10 Redwings and a Chiffchaff . It was a quiet morning for seabirds passing Corbiere with counts there of a Great Northern Diver , a Red-throated Diver , 5 Brent Geese , 52 Razorbills , 39 Guillemots , 12 Gannets , a Grey Heron , 41 Shags , 6 Cormorants , a Kittiwake and a Lesser Black-backed Gull in two hours. At St Ouen's Pond were 17 Teal , 11 Shovelers , 5 Pochards , 2 Tufted Duck , 3 Little Grebes, 36 Lapwings , 6 Snipe , a Grey Heron, a Water Pipit and a Chiffchaff . A Shelduck was seen there on 28th. In the Sandpits were 6 Little Grebes , 4 Pochard and 12 Tufted Duck . A Hen Harrier was seen again at Crabbe and a Brambling visited a Beauport garden again. In St Helier Marina this evening were a roost of 200 alba Wagtails and a Kingfisher

29.12.2024 Turnstone at Corbiere MD Another cold and overcast day, with a light southwest wind. There was an interesting report of a possible Wallcreeper , seen flying at Le Braye today, also the Hoopoe has been relocated in Chemin du Moulin, seen on the 26th and 27th. Passing Corbiere in the grey conditions this morning were 2 Common Scoters , 2 Brent Geese , 106 Guillemots , 68 Razorbills , 40 Gannets , 55 Shags , 22 Cormorants , 29 Kittiwakes , 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Common Gulls, 27 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Curlew and a small pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins distantly offshore. At St Ouen's Pond were a Bittern, 30 Teal , 4 Pochard , 23 Shovelers , 3 Tufted Duck , 2 Little Grebes , 3 Snipe and a Merlin . At Crabbe were the Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk , 3 Skylarks , 100 Chaffinches , 30 Goldfinches , 20 Linnets , a Reed Bunting , a Stonechat , 2 Ravens and 4 Choughs . At Plemont were 300 Chaffinches , 300 Linnets , 8 Reed Buntings , a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , a Raven and 45 Skylarks . By Sands Slip were 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Black-headed Gulls and 8 Sanderlings. In Rue Laurens behind St Clement Church were 23 Cattle Egrets and 2 Stonechats . In St Helier, 2 Kingfishers were in the Marina while in Vallee des Vaux were a Blackcap , a Chiffchaff , a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrests , 3 Bullfinches , a Grey Wagtail, 4 Redwings and overhead, 12 Ravens and 9 Woodcock at Dusk.

28.12.2024 Redwing in Grouville MD A cold and cloudy day (5c) in light and variable winds. Today's counts from Corbiere involved 4 Brent Geese , a male Red-breasted Merganser , a Mallard , 123 Guillemots , 58 Razorbills , a Fulmar , 45 Gannets , 22 Shag , 8 Cormorants , 14 Kittiwakes , 12 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , a Black-headed Gull, 12 Bottle-nosed Dolphins and 2 Porpoises . At La Sente were 4 Cattle Egrets, a male Wigeon , a Marsh Harrier and 7 Pied Wagtails and in Causie Lane in St Clement were 6 Brent Geese and 4 Moorhens . At Queen's Valley reservoir were 4 Tufted Duck , a Pochard , 2 Ravens , a Grey Heron, 9 Redwings , 2 Goldcrests , a Kingfisher , a Blackcap and 11 Cormorants . The orchard in St Mary held 8 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings . On the Scrape were a Grey Heron , 4 Pochard , 28 Lapwings and 16 Starlings and in the Sandpits were 3 Tufted Ducks and 3 Little Grebes . In St Aubin's Bay, 34 Redshanks and 2 Pied Wagtails were at St Aubin and a further 2 Pied Wagtails were seen at La Collette. At Le Catillon were 5 Cattle Egrets and 5 Ravens while at Grouville Marsh were 8 Cattle Egrets , 5 Common Gulls, 15 Teal , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , a Cetti's Warbler , 20 Reed Buntings , 5 Water Rails , 80 Jackdaws , 2 Marsh Harriers , a Sparrowhawk plus 7 Woodcocks and a Barn Owl. Anothrer Barn Owl was in Causie Lane this evening.

27.12.2024 Sanderlings at La Rocque, three with rings. The colour ringed bird was given it's many rings in the Wadden Sea area of the Netherlands in August this year. Thanks to Romano for the fine image RDC