03.11.2024 With a report that 6 Purple Sandpipers were seen at Corbiere on 26th October, an excuse for showing this image, taken last winter MD
They overcast and grey conditions continued today, but with the Easterly wind providing some excellent migration across the Island.
Some excellent migration via Victoria Tower included 14,264 Woodpigeons, 6,743 Redwings, 25 Fieldfares, a Mistle Thrush, 141 Song Thrushes, 7 Blackbirds, 3 Hawfinches, 931 Starlings, 31 Skylarks, 13 Stock Doves, 257 Lapwings, 976 Chaffinches, 9 Bramblings, 107 Goldfinches, 58 Siskins, a Redpoll, 24 Meadow Pipits, 5 Pied Wagtails, 8 Cattle Egrets and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls !
Birds passing Noirmont included 9,825 Woodpigeons, a Ring Ouzel, 34 Fieldfares, 115 Redwings, 28 Song Thrushes, 62 Skylarks, 42 Lapwings, 922 Starlings, 4 Stock Doves, 51 Meadow Pipits, 2 Snipe, 142 Chaffinches, 78 Linnets, 14 Goldfinches, 7 Pied Wagtails and 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Also seen were 4 Stonechats, 2 Ravens, a Greenfinch and c140 Crows.
On Ouaisne Common were 700 Woodpigeons, 5 Skylarks, 20 Redwings, a Reed Bunting, 40 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 6 Meadow Pipits, 10 Firecrests, 3 Goldcrests, 20 Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler and 5 Water Rails. There was also a surprise report of a Water Rail, seen somewhere in St Helier
A flock of 14 Mistle Thrushes was reported feeding at Les Landes, where a Wheatear was also present. An Avocet was seen circling over St Ouen's Pond before landing there mid-morning with 15 Shovelers also there and on the Scrape were a Grey Heron, 6 Lapwings, 12 Teal, 5 Reed Buntings, 3 Cetti's Warblers and a Water Rail. At the Cutty Sark were 41 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 4 Sanderlings, a Pied Wagtail and a Black-headed Gull.
27 Redshanks were at St Aubin and 4 Redwings, a Firecrest and a Chiffchaff were at Beaumont Marsh.
Other good birds seen today include the Snow Bunting at Grouville Common again, 3 Swallows at Fauvic and 2 Golden Plovers in flight over La Hougue Bie.
At the Airport this evening were 91 alba Wagtails, prior to going off to an unknown roost site and 2 Choughs prospecting the old Jersey Airlines hangar, which is due for demolition soon!
Below: A short video of the Snow Bunting near Fort Henry, courtesy of Jo Bramley
Mick Dryden
Romano da Costa
Tony Paintin