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04.08.2024  Due to strong colour-ringing schemes for Mediterranean Gulls, we can see that they can be very site-faithful, even down to which side of the Island they prefer to winter. Thanks to Romano for this beautiful image of two returners to St Ouen's Bay this week.


A fair to fine day in light northerly breezes.


Good news today is of the annual return of Tuna to local waters right on cue, seen off the West Coast and already attracting birds to their feeding boils. An estimated 1000 Balearic Shearwaters and 22 Manx Shearwaters were seen rafting to the West of Grosnez this morning, and the usual count of seabirds off of Corbiere recorded 14 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Balearic Shearwaters, a Common Scoter, 106 Gannets, a Fulmar, 2 Storm Petrels seen from a boat, 5 Cormorants, 40 Shags, 67 Sandwich Terns, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Black-headed Gulls, 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 9 Ringed Plovers and a Curlew. Roosting in Petit Port Bay were 58 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, 28 Curlews, a Whimbrel, 2 Grey Herons and a Whimbrel. Also at Grosnez and Les Landes were Stonechats with 2 juveniles, a Peregrine, a Whimbrel and 500 Swallows feeding over the racecourse.


A ringing session on the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn saw 30 Reed Warblers, 8 Sedge Warblers, 10 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 50 Swallows, 4 Swifts, 2 Water Rails, a Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk and 2 overflying Ringed Plovers plus 2 Ravens.

On Mont Matthieu was a family of 4 Little Grebes, 5 Swifts, 30 Swallows and 10 House Martins.


At Noirmont were a Wheatear, a Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, 3 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 30 Swallows, a Swift, 7 Dartford Warblers, 3 Stonechats, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Swallowtail butterflies and a Painted Lady. 2 Willow Warblers and a Dartford Warbler were at Beauport.


Seen at La Rocque were c600 Sandwich Terns and 26 Mediterranean Gulls  and in Vallee des Vaux was a Willow Warbler.


by Michael Dryden 12 February 2026
12.02.2026 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are already returning to our latitude, with 25 seen passing Grosnez this morning, including this pristine bird MD
by Michael Dryden 11 February 2026
11.02.2026 Slavonian Grebe , at La Rocque, image courtesy of Romano RDC
by Michael Dryden 10 February 2026
10.02.2026 Snipe have been in short supply so far this Winter. These were at the Wetland Centre this week. MD
by Michael Dryden 9 February 2026
09.02.2026 By way of a change, a Common Dolphin passing Grosnez this morning, one of 16 seen. MD An overcast day with heavy rain this afternoon in a fresh to strong south-southeast wind (10c) Little is changing at the moment on the bird front. Today's counts from La Sente include c350 Brent Geese , 2 Shoveler , a Wigeon , 11 Curlews , 72 Redshanks , 6 Greenshanks , 2 Snipe , 13 Grey Herons , 26 Little Egrets , 2 Cattle Egrets , 120 Black-headed Gulls , 26 Common Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls . 64 Cattle Egrets were at Rue Parcq. In Grouville Marsh were 55 Cattle Egrets and 40 Linnet and at La Rocque were a Black - throated Diver , a Great Northern Diver , 2 Red-breasted Mergansers , a Black-necked Grebe and 2 Black Redstarts . Most interest at Grosnez surrounded a loose pod of 16 Common Dolphins which were being followed by 105 Gannets as they moved East. Otherwise, seen there were 2 grey goose sp , 30 + Fulmars , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 2 Curlews and 11 Linnets . On St Ouen's Pond were 10 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck , 5 Wigeon , 54 Shoveler , 120 Brent Geese , 2 Little Grebes , a Grey Heron , 28 Lapwings , a passing Grey Plover , 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Water Pipit . By Sands Slip were 24 Dunlin , 22 Ringed Plovers , 3 Sanderling and 2 Oystercatchers . Waders at Petit Port included 28 Turnstones , 5 Purple Sandpipers and 17 Grey Plovers . In Beaumont Marsh were 520 Brent Geese and 73 Black-headed Gulls . At The Elms in St Peter were 38 Redwings and a Goldcrest , and by St John's Village were 100+ Stock Doves .
by Michael Dryden 8 February 2026
08.02.2026 A young Lapwing at the Wetland Centre today. MD Some early rain and hill fog, then cloudy with the odd shower in a fresh south-southeast wind (10c) At La Sente this morning were 24 Little Egrets , a Lapwing , a Snipe , 11 Grey Herons , 2 Shoveler , 350 Brent Geese , 76 Redshanks , 7 Greenshanks , a Common Gull , 40 Black-headed Gulls , and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls at at Rue Parcq were 82 Cattle Egrets and 32 Curlews . On Grouville Common were a Stonechat , 4 Blackcaps , a Cirl Bunting , 2 Greenfinches and a singing Song Thrush . At La Rocque were a Black-throated Diver , 5 Great Northern Divers , 2 Slavonian Grebes , 3 Black-necked Grebes , 4 Red-breasted Mergansers , 26 Ringed Plovers , 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 370 Turnstones , 200 Grey Plovers, 650 Dunlin and 480 Sanderlings . Seen from Le Pulec were a Great Northern Diver , 35 Gannets , 41 Shags , 7 Cormorants , 14 Curlews , 200 Oystercatchers , 15 Little Egrets , 200 Oystercatchers and 24 Rock Pipits, and seen from the Wetland centre were 172 Brent Geese , 5 Wigeon , 47 Shoveler , 4 Pochard , 2 Tufted Duck , 26 Lapwings , 8 Snipe , 2 Little Grebes and a Water Pipit . 36 Brent Geese were at Petit Port as well as 52 Mediterranean Gulls . At Kempt Tower were the Snow Bunting , 4 Tufted Ducks , 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Stonechats . In Beaumont Marsh were 2 Cattle Egrets, 3 Little Egrets , 50 Black-headed Gulls , 30 Redwings and 9 Pied Wagtails , and at St Aubin were 6 Great Crested Grebes , 33 Redshanks and 3 Turnstones . A Grey Wagtail was in it's regular garden on Old St John's Road in St Helier. Yesterday evening, 60 Sanderlings were in St Brelade's Bay on the high tide.
by Michael Dryden 7 February 2026
07.02.2026 Male Shoveler taking flight at La Sente this morning. MD Overnight rain cleared by Dawn leaving cloudy conditions and scattered showers in a fresh southwest wind (10c) Seen early morning at La Rocque were 4 Great Northern Divers , 2 Black-throated Divers , a Slavonian Grebe , a Black-necked Grebe , 7 Red-breasted Mergansers , 206 Grey Plovers , 66 Curlews , a Bar-tailed Godwit and 500 + Dunlin / Sanderlings , also a Black Redstart . In Grouville Bay, as seen from Seymour were 2 Great Northern Divers , 3 Great Crested Grebes and 300 Brent Geese . At La Sente were 200+ Brent Geese , a Wigeon , 2 Shovelers , 7 Greenshanks , 77 Redshanks , 8 Curlews , 9 Grey Herons , 8 Common Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls , 280 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Ravens , 5 Pied Wagtails and a Redwing . In Rue Parcq were 68 Cattle Egrets. 7 Brent Geese were at Rozel. At Beaumont Marsh were 450 Brent Geese , 30 Black-headed Gulls , 10 Pied Wagtails , a Firecrest , 3 Song Thrushes and 2 Little Egrets Waders roosting at Corbiere included 10 Purple Sandpipers , 9 Grey Plovers and 13 Turnstones . and the Snow Bunting was seen again at Kempt Tower.
by Michael Dryden 6 February 2026
06.02.2026. Cormorants are getting into their finest plumages as they start to breed, indeed some may have already begun. This one is seen here as it passed Grosnez this morning. Image: MD A bright and breezy morning with showers to the north of the Island, becoming cloudy this afternoon. Winds fresh from the southwest (10C) A Great Skua was the pick of the few birds passing Grosnez this morning. Also seen were 35 Gannets , 66 Fulmars , with more on the cliffs there, 29 Shags , 7 Cormorants , 34 Great Black-backed Gulls , 119 Herring Gulls, and 4 Ravens . At Le Pulec were 13 Little Egrets , 225 Oystercatchers and 43 Curlews . In St Ouen's Bay, 52 Great Black-backed Gulls were on the beach, and 8 Grey Herons were at La Pulente, while roosting behind the seawall by the Cutty Sark were 21 Ringed Plovers , 19 Dunlin and 6 Skylarks . The Snow Bunting was by Kempt Tower and at the Pools there, were 2 Tufted Duck , a Water Rail, 2 Ravens and several birds in song in the sunny weather including a Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Robin , a Wren and a Great Tit . A Dartford Warble r was heard in song at Gorselands too. In Petit Port Bay were 71 Mediterranean Gulls . On the East of the Island, at La Sente, were 350 Brent Geese , 2 Shoveler , 81 Redshanks , 6 Greenshanks , 21 Grey Herons , 19 Little Egrets , 122 Black - headed Gulls , one Mediterranean Gull, one Common Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Snipe .
by Michael Dryden 5 February 2026
05.02.2026 Mediterranean Gulls are on the West coast in good numbers at the moment, with 124 in Petit Port Bay over this morning's high tide. Several are colour-ringed, including this bird, a regular Winter visitor here, bearing a well-worn German ring ( yellow ATCT). MD A dry but cloudy day deteriorated to a very wet one through the morning in a fresh south-southeast wind. On St Ouen's Pond this morning were 5 Wigeon , 12 Pochard , 19 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, c100 Brent Geese , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 26 Black-headed Gulls , a Snipe , 3 Grey Herons and a Little Grebe . In the backfields were 21 Lapwings , 50+ Starlings and 170 Stock Doves . The Snow Bunting was seen again, near to Kempt Tower. A very quiet day for seabirds saw 2 Red-throated Divers , 4 Gannets , 7 Cormorants , 38 Shags , 5 Kittiwakes , 14 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls pass in ninety minutes. In Petit Port Bay were 124 Mediterranean Gulls , 36 Grey Plovers , 32 Turnstones and roosting at Corbiere were 20 Purple Sandpipers . There has been an increased incidence of dead seabirds being washed up in recent days, mainly Shags , but also a Great Northern Diver and a Gannet . Some have been checked by the States Vet and so far none has proved positive for HPAI, so it may be that the recent very rough sea conditions are taking their toll. At La Sente were 7 Greenshanks , 84 Redshanks , 2 Snipe , 2 Shoveler , a Wigeon , 20 Grey Herons, 63 Mallard , 360 Brent Geese , including one pale-bellied Brent, 11 Cattle Egrets , 14 Pied Wagtails and 35 Redwings . At La Rocque were 2 Great Northern Divers, a Black-throated Diver , 2 Slavonian Grebes and one Great Crested Grebe . In Beaumont Marsh were 150 Brent Geese, 2 Shoveler , 100 Black-headed Gulls , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Little Egrets , 3 Pied Wagtails , 29 Redwings and 8 Meadow Pipits . Elsewhere, 53 Mediterranean Gulls were at the Airport football pitch and 2 Goldcrests were at Le Douet Farm.
by Michael Dryden 4 February 2026
04.02.2026 Black-throated Diver at La Rocque. Image: MD Another cold-feeling day, mainly cloudy in a fresh south-easterly wind (9c) A quiet day at Corbiere, but over the high spring tide ( 11.3m / 37.1 ft), birds passing included a Velvet Scoter , a Great Northern Diver , a Red-throated Diver , 2 distant diver sp , 12 Gannets , 21 Cormorants , 42 Shags , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 51 Great Black-backed Gulls , and 2 Turnstones , with 20 Purple Sandpipers looking for a rock to roost on. In Petit Port as the tide fell off, were 92 Mediterranean Gulls , 36 Curlews , 3 Turnstones and a Firecrest again. 10 Grey Herons were at La Pulente. On St Ouen's Pond were 260 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , 3 Pochard , 45 Shoveler , 3 Grey Herons , a Little Grebe , 93 Black-headed Gulls , 9 Mediterranean Gulls and a Lapwing . In St Ouen's Bay were 31 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . At La Sente were 2 Shoveler , a Wigeon , 2 Snipe , 85 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Common Gulls . Opposite Parcq Farm were 41 Cattle Egrets and at La Lourderie were 2 Stonechats . A Black-throated Diver was at La Rocque. One extra report from yesterday was of 2 Slavonian Grebes at Flicquet.
by Michael Dryden 3 February 2026
03.02.2026 A Song Thrush out of it's comfort zone at Corbiere this morning. Image: MD A cloudy day with rain to the East of the Island, winds moderate from the south-southeast. Seawatching from Corbiere, in three hours, saw 11 Red-throated Divers , 2 Common Scoters , 8 Guillemots , 3 Fulmars , 13 Gannets , 7 Cormorants , 51 Shags , 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Kittiwakes and 41 Great Black-backed Gulls , with 8 Purple Sandpipers roosting there and a Song Thrush putting in a brief appearance. On the sea in Petit Port Bay over the high tide were 110 Mediterranean Gulls and in the bushes there, a Firecrest . At St Ouen's Bay were 2 Shelduck , 170 Brent Geese , 5 Wigeon , 4 Teal , 57 Shoveler , 12 Pochard , 5 Tufted Ducks , a Little Grebe , 2 Grey Herons , 85 Black - headed Gulls , 18 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Snipe , the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , and in the backfields, 310 Stock Doves . The Snow Bunting was near Kempt Tower and 70 Mediterranean Gulls were near Sand Slip on the falling tide. Seen from La Rocque this morning were 2 Great Northern Divers, a Black-throated Diver , a Red-throated Diver , 6 Red-breasted Mergansers , 2 Slavonian Grebes, a Black-necked Grebe , an adult Little Gull and a Black Redstart . At La sente were 2 Shelduck and a Shoveler , at Fliquet were 3 Great Crested Grebes and at St Catherine's, 30 Brent Geese , a Little Egret and a Grey Heron . A Fieldfare and a Blackcap were seen in Rue du Huquet, St Martin. In Beaumont Marsh were c 400 Brent Geese , a Curlew , 8 Meadow Pipits , a Pied Wagtail and 3 Little Egrets .
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