Jersey Birds

06.04.2025 The first Whitethroat of the Spring was ringed and released at Grouville Marsh this morning, image courtesy of David Buxton DB A fine day, but still feeling cool in an annoying east-northeast wind Another busy day for reports started early at Grouville Marsh where the first Sedge Warblers (2) and Whitethroat of the year were recorded. Also there was a Purple Heron, 2 Grey Herons , 4 Water Rails , a Cirl Bunting , 50 Chiffchaffs , 6 Cetti's Warblers in song, 2 Bullfinches , 3 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes , a Shoveler , 2 Teal , 2 Snipe , a Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks , and flying over, 4 Cattle Egrets , 13 Skylarks , 28 Meadow Pipits , 12 Linnets , a Sand Martin and a Raven . 300 Brent Geese were at La Rocque and another 52 at Seymour, also 22 Curlews were seen flying to an offshore rock at the former. A Hoopoe was seen in a garden in the north of St Helier parish, from where it flew off towards Victoria Village, and another Hoopoe was seen yesterday near to Overdale. At Sorel, early visible migration included 467 Woodpigeons , 241 Meadow Pipits, 123 Linnets , 2 alba Wagtails , a Skylark , 9 Swallows, 4 Chaffinches , 75 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls and 26 Gannets . 2 Wheatears and 2 Song Thrushes were on the ground there, but yesterday's birds seemed to have moved on. 2 Peregrines were seen flying together and a Dartford Warbler was in song. On the southwest coast, 2 Skylarks , 5 Wheatears , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 5 Chaffinches , 8 Linnets and 2 Swallows were seen at Noirmont, 4 Wheatears were at Gorselands, and a Ring Ouzel , a Serin , 3 Swallows , a White Wagtail and a pair of Dartford Warbler were seen at La Rosiere. On St Ouen's Pond were 34 Shovelers , a Pochard , a Grey Heron, 12 Sand Martins and a pair of Stonechat, whileat the Scrape were a Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 7 Teal , the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , 6 Lapwings , 2 Oystercatchers , 6 Sand Martins , 2 Swallows and 2 Skylarks . To the north of the Pond were 2 Wheatears , 2 Skylarks , a pair of Stonechat and 44 Linnets and at Kempt Tower and pools were 3 Little Grebes , 13 Tufted Duck , 9 Shovelers , 6 Wheatears , 2 Sand Martins , 2 Swallows , a pair of Skylark , 2 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs . 2 Wheatears and 4 White Wagtails were by the Cutty Sark. In Grands Vaux valley were 8 Tufted Duck, a Green Sandpiper , a Willow Warbler and 8 Chiffchaffs . This evening, 2 Shelduck were at Le Hocq. An extra for yesterday was from Francheville Farm, where both Swallows and House Martins had returned to their breeding sites. Below : One of today's Sedge Warblers at Grouville Marsh, thanks again to David Buxton for the image DB

05.04.2025 A Peregrine on the North coast, complete with a very full crop MD A fine day (15c) in a fresh east-northeast wind There was a decent number of migrants scattered around the Island, pick of which were a Hoopoe , a Ring Ouzel and a Wheatear at Sorel where 70 Linnets , 64 Meadow Pipits and a Skylark flew over. Plenty was reported from St Ouen's Bay , and, starting on the north side of the Pond were a singing Reed Warbler, a Reed Bunting , 4 Water Rails , 2 Swallows , 34 Shovelers and 2 Choughs , while at the Wetland Centre were a Common Sandpiper , 5 Wheatears and a White Wagtail . On and around Kempt Tower pools were 3 Grey Herons , 6 Tufted Duck , 2 Shovelers , 3 Little Grebes , 5 Wheatears , 2 White Wagtails , 8 Swallows , 12 Sand Martins and a House Martin . Another 3 Wheatears were at Les Laveurs, and 2 Wheatears were by the Cutty Sark , while in St Ouen's Bay were 13 Sanderlings and 6 feeding Sandwich Terns . At Le Pulec were 2 Wheatears , 22 Little Egrets , 54 Oystercatchers , 2 House Martins and a Peregrine . In the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck , 12 Tufted Duck , 15 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows and on Mont Matthieu were a Little Grebe , 2 Tufted Duck and a Willow Warbler . Seen at or passing Corbiere this morning were 37 Sandwich Terns , 4 Common Gulls , 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Kittiwakes , 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 14 Guillemots , 4 Razorbills , 20 Fulmars , 53 Gannets , 6 Cormorants , 2 Peregrines , a Yellow Wagtail , a Redwing , 2 White Wagtails , 10 Meadow Pipits , 4 Chaffinches and 14 Linnets , while on the ground there were 2 Wheatears , a Black Redstart , 3 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff . 20+ Bottle-nosed Dolphins were feeding beyond the Lighthouse. At Petit Port were 4 Curlews , 2 Shelduck and 92 Oystercatchers . Offshore at Plemont were 32 Razorbills and 9 Fulmars while over the headland were 2 Kestrels and a Swallow . At a half-ploughed La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 4 Cattle Egrets and 8 Little Egrets and in Grouville Marsh were a Shoveler , 2 White Wagtails, 5 Swallows and a Sand Martin . 20 Cattle Egrets were behind Le Hurel Farm and 2 Brent Geese were at Havre des Pas . In Beaumont Marsh were 6 Shovelers and another Swallow . Inland at Handois were a Grey Heron, 2 singing Willow Warblers , 3 singing Goldcrests , 2 Short-toed Treecreepers and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker .

04.04.2025 A male Dartford Warbler at La Rosiere today. MD Overnight rain had cleared before Dawn this morning, leaving a fair day with high cloud, and feeling warmer at 18c in a moderate northeast wind. Pick of the day was an adult Purple Heron seen in the Grouville Marsh area, with 2 Green Sandpipers and 4 Water Rails also seen there. At a dry La Sente, which was being ploughed today, were 52 Cattle Egrets , 11 Little Egrets , 10 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck , a Curlew and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . On Grouville Common were a Redwing , 5 Greenfinches and 8 Linnets and 3 House Martins had returned to their breeding area of Causie Lane in St Clement. In Grouville Bay and La Rocque were a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Black-headed Gulls and 380 Brent Geese. On Rue de Pont were 4 Skylarks , 15 Meadow Pipits, 90 Linnets , and 8 Brent Geese . In La Rue de Marais a la Cocque was a family of Coot including 4 newly hatched young. A mixed bag of birds seen at or passing Corbiere this morning included a steady passage of Lesser Black-backed Gulls , totalling 342 in three hours, 24 Sandwich Terns , 5 Kittiwakes , a Black-headed Gull , a Red-throated Diver , 11 Common Scoters , a male Red-breasted Merganser , 2 Manx Shearwaters , 7 Razorbills , 5 Guillemots , 3 Fulmars , 42 Gannets , a flock of 8 Cormorants in breeding plumage, a migrant Kestrel , a Peregrine , a Black Redstart, 2 Wheatears , 7 Swallows , 5 Sand Martins , 26 Meadow Pipits , 9 alba Wagtails , a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warble r. On the headland, at La Rosiere were a Short-eared Owl , a Black Redstart , a singing Dartford Warbler , a Grey Heron , 8 Swallows , a House Martin , 4 Sand Martins , 2 Choughs , 2 Jackdaws , 2 Ravens and 6 Linnets . In Petit Port Bay on the high tide were 32 Turnstones , a Purple Sandpiper , 4 Curlews , 85 Oystercatchers , 4 Brent Geese and a pair of Shelduck . A further visit to La Rosiere this afternoon saw 32 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins and 3 Chiffchaffs . On St Ouen's Pond were a Shoveler , the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose, while on the Scrape were 24 Teal , a Redshank , 3 Lapwings , and a singing Cetti's Warbler . At Beaumont were 2 Shovelers and a Grey Heron and in Samares Manor grounds were a Willow Warbler , a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap . In the Sandpits were 2 pairs of Stonechats and on Mont Pellier was a pair of Long-tailed Tits, nest building. At the Farmers Cricket ground in St Martin were 2 White Wagtails and a Swallow and at La Piece Mauger in Trinity were 4 Redwings and 23 Cattle Egrets . A Black Redstart was at Rue du Catel in Trinity while at Grands Vaux were 2 Teal , 6 Tufted Ducks , and at Mont Pellier, a Willow Warbler . Below: Lesser Black-backed Gulls arriving at Corbiere this morning. MD

03.04.2025 A Redshank on St Ouen's Pond Scrape today MD A fine morning was replaced by a wet afternoon, in a fresh easterly wind. Hirundines are starting to show in better numbers around the Island, now April is with us. On St Ouen's Pond, and over the Pond, were a Redshank , a Dunlin , 2 Oystercatchers , 6 Lapwings , 39 Teal , 2 Wigeon , 5 Shovelers , a pair of Shelduck , a Grey Heron , at least 8 Swallows , 4 Sand Martins , a Merlin in the Trois Roches, a Wheatear , and a summer-plumaged Water Pipit , while at Kempt Tower were 3 Shovelers , and 4 Tufted Duck , at in St Ouen's Bay were 3 Sandwich Terns . A selection of species passing Grosnez this morning included 4 Guillemots , 5 Razorbills , 40 Gannets , 21 Fulmars , 2 Kittiwakes , 19 Sandwich Terns , 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Swallows , 7 Sandwich Terns , 163 Linnets , 15 Goldfinches , 12 Meadow Pipits , 2 Peregrines , a Raven , 2 Choughs , 17 Crows heading off North, and a Buzzard heading to Guernsey, while on Les Landes were a Wheatear , 4 Swallows , a Sand Martin and good numbers of Meadow Pipits . Seen from Plemont were a Wheatear , another 3 Swallows , 4 Razorbills and 19 Lesser Black- backed Gulls . At Corbiere were 17 Purple Sandpipers , 19 Turnstones and 2 Swallows , while in Petit Port were 2 Shelduck and 4 Curlew . 17 Little Egrets were sitting out the high tide in Stinky Bay at Le Pulec. At Ruelle es Ruaux were 80 pale-bellied and 8 dark-bellied Brent Geese , with another 8 dark-bellied Brent Geese at Havre des Pas and a further 17 Brent Geese on Elizabeth Castle as well as 200 Oystercatchers and 3 Little Egret s. 2 Kestrels were on Mount Bingham and a Dartford Warbler was at Bouley Bay. On the North coast at Sorel were 5 Swallows , a Meadow Pipit and 6 Linnets flying over and a Buzzard arriving off the sea. At La Piece Mauger in St Martin were 13 Cattle Egrets. On Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Teal, a Tufted Duck, a singing Firecrest and a Sparrowhawk and in Vallee des Vaux were 2 Bullfinches and another singing Firecrest . In La Sente were 32 Cattle Egrets and 62 Brent Geese and at Le Hurel in St Ouen's Bay were 540 Brent Geese plus 2 Grey Herons . In Grouville Marsh were a male Shoveler , 2 White Wagtails , 4 Water Rails and 2 singing Cetti's Warbler , while at Queen's Valley were 2 singing Firecrests .On Grouville Common was a Wheatear .

02.04.2025 A male Peregrine surveys his surroundings, in search of a meal RdC A warm sunny day with a moderate easterly wind. Passing Corbiere this morning were 3 Red-throated Diver , 4 Manx Shearwater , 4 Common Scoter , 17 Razorbill , 6 Guillemot , 26 Gannet , 4 Fulmar , 3 Cormorant , 16 Sandwich Tern , 9 Kittiwake , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 26 Great Black-backed Gull , 4 Curlew , 2 Skylark , 26 Linnet , 2 Meadow Pipit , 2 Peregrine , a Grey Seal and 2 Harbour Porpoise while in Petit Port were a Shelduck , 6 Curlew and 7 Little Egret . On the Scrape were a Little Ringed Plover , a Redshank , a Snipe , 2 Oystercatcher , 6 Lapwing , 3 Wigeon , 29 Teal , 8 Brent Geese , a Shoveler , 6 Sand Martin and a Swallow . At La Sente were 300 Brent Geese , 4 Raven and 4 Little Egret while in St Catherine's Woods were a Green Sandpiper , 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker , 3 Short-toed Treecreeper , 11 Chiffchaff , 2 Blackcap and a Mallard with 15 ducklings. Up at Plemont were 3 Swallow and 2 Raven , another 5 Swallow were over Les Platons and 3 Fieldfare and 2 Raven were over St John and at Sorel were 3 Swallow , a Wheatear and a Peregrine . Elsewhere, 20 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 56 Brent Geese were near St Aubin, 13 Brent Geese and 2 Sanderling were at La Rocque and at Grands Vaux were 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 10 Tufted Duck , 2 Teal , 2 Swallow , a Firecrest and 2 Raven . Yesterday evening a Jack Snipe and 9 Common Snipe were at St Ouens Pond.

01.04.2025 A Short-toed Treecreeper prospecting a possible nesting site, thanks to Tom Frazer . A Sunny day with a moderate easterly wind. Seen at La Sente today were 77 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , a Swallow and 21 Cattle Egret while nearby at Seymour were a Common Sandpiper , a Curlew and 175 Brent Geese. Around St Ouens Pond were 2 Wigeon , 18 Teal , 4 Lapwing , 4 Swallow , 8 Sand Martin , a House Martin and 2 Wheatear with a Willow Warbler in the tamarisk by the Wetlands Centre. In the Sandpits were 32 Tufted Duck , 2 Shelduck , 4 Sand Martin , 2 Swallow and 2 Redshank while at Petit Port were 3 Shelduck , 70 Oystercatcher , 4 Brent Geese and a Little Egret with a Great Crested Grebe in Elizabeth Harbour and 32 Brent Geese at West Park. At Queens Valley were 2 Greenshank and at Grands Vaux were 9 Tufted Duck , 2 Teal , a Willow Warbler , 4 Chiffchaff and a Swallow . A Wheatear was at Noirmont.

31.03.2025 Another view of the Little Ringed Plover at La Sente recently RdC A warm sunny day with a light easterly wind. The first two of our breeding Puffin were back along the north coast near Plemont this morning along with 34 Razorbill , 5 Fulmar and 2 Kestrel . At St Ouens Pond were 31 Shoveler , a Little Grebe and a Mediterranean Gull while passing Corbiere were a Sand Martin and 3 Woodpigeon . At Kempt Tower were 4 Shoveler , a Little Grebe , a singing Water Rail and 2 Tufted Duck with 2 more on Mont Matthieu. The pair of Shelduck were again at Le Pulec along with 90 Oystercatcher , 12 Little Egret and 2 Stonechat while up at Les Landes were 2 Swallow , a Wheatear , 6 Stonechat , 4 Linnet , 5 Chough and 3 Marsh Harrier . Seen at La Sente were 3 Redshank , 8 Cattle Egret , 4 Little Egret , 12 Brent Geese , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Wheatear . Elsewhere a Kingfisher was still in the Marina, a Swallow was at L'Etacq, a Grey Heron was at Beaumont Marsh and 9 Tufted Duck and 2 Teal were at Grands Vaux.

30.03.2025 A rather handsome garden visitor, a male Sparrowhawk , thanks to Alan Gicquel for the photo. Early cloud and rain soon cleared to a sunny day with a north westerly wind. Seen on the Scrape at St Ouens Pond in the rain were 9 Swallow , 5 Sand Martin , a Common Sandpiper , 3 Wigeon , 20 Teal , 3 Shoveler , 10 Brent Geese , 2 Oystercatcher , 5 Lapwing , 5 Little Egret , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 3 Black-headed Gull with a Wheatear and 2 Chough next to Kempt Tower and a pair of Shelduck at Le Pulec. Up at Les Landes were a Wheatear , a Swallow , a Grey Wagtail and 2 Kittiwake offshore while east of Plémont were 18 Razorbill and 2 Fulmar . At La Sente were 210 Brent Geese , 14 Cattle Egret , 10 Little Egret and a Pied Wagtail with another 14 Cattle Egret and a Swallow near St Martins School. Elsewhere, 12 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , a Great Crested Grebe , 3 Redshank and a Turnstone were at St Aubin, a Swallow flew over Sorel and 8 Buzzard were over Bonne Huit. Grouville Marsh held 2 Snipe , 6 Water Rail , a Cattle Egret and 3 Willow Warbler while on Grands Vaux Reservoir were 5 Tufted Duck and 3 Willow Warbler .

29.03.2025 The Little Ringed Plover at La Sente, thanks to Alan Gicquel for the photo. Another sunny day with a south westerly wind. Passing Corbiere this morning were 20 Manx Shearwater , 50 Kittiwake , 3 Common Gull , 2 Mediterranean Gull , 20 Guillemot , 2 Razorbill , a Common Scoter and 6 Linnet while a Willow Warbler was near Poplars tea room. Seen at La Sente were the Little Ringed Plover , 2 Redshank , 44 Cattle Egret , 7 Little Egret , 2 Shelduck and 2 White Wagtail while 2 Swallow flew over La Roncier. At Ouaisne this morning were 12 Chiffchaff , a Firecrest , a Cetti's Warbler , a Dartford Warbler , 2 Song Thrush , 4 Greenfinch , 2 Coot , a Snipe and 3 Little Grebe and at Beaumont Marsh were 2 Shoveler , 3 Willow Warbler and 2 White Wagtail . Seen around St Ouens Pond were a Gadwall , 2 Shelduck , 21 Teal , 20 Shoveler , 6 Wigeon , a Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 7 Brent Geese , the Pink-footed Goose and its Barnacle Goose partner and 2 Cetti's Warbler and over Val de la Mare were 11 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin . Up at Plemont were 5 Razorbill , 5 Fulmar , a Peregrine , a Swallow and 12 Linnet while a pair of Stonechat were at Le Pulec and 3 Choughs at La Rosiere. At Le Hocq were 19 Brent Geese and 8 Little Egret and in Vallee des Vaux were a Firecrest and a plucked Bullfinch ! Below, a short video of the Little Ringed Plover , thanks to Jo Bramley