Jersey Birds

21.10.2025 Many thanks go to Susan Renouf for this fine image of the Bittern which was on the Scrape yesterday. SR A day of squally showers, lessening in the afternoon, with a fresh to strong west-southwest wind, but mild at 15c After a few days with little by way of visible migration, Noirmont was busy throughout this morning, especially with the smaller passerines. Counts included 20 Swallows , a House Martin , 11 Skylarks, 6 Song Thrushes , 4 Blackbirds , a Merlin , a Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 152 Pied Wagtails , 564 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail , 14 Starlings , 752 Chaffinches, 764 Linnets, 220 Goldfinches, 58 Siskins , 10 Greenfinches , 8 Stonechats , a Firecrest , a Goldcrest , a Long-tailed Tit and 2 Dartford Warblers . Passing offshore were 9 Razorbills , 6 Gannets and 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Early morning passage past Victoria Tower involved 7 Swallows , 4 Song Thrushes , 239 Chaffinches , 22 Linnets , 10 Meadow Pipits , a Pied Wagtail , 3 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldcrests . In St Ouen's Bay Sandpits were 7 Pochard (one female), a female Wigeon , 62 Tufted Duck , 20 Little Grebes , 32 Cormorants , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Caspian Gull , 30 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Gull and a Common Sandpiper while on St Ouen's Pond were 29 Shovelers , a Lapwing , 2 Marsh Harriers , 40 Goldfinches , 50 Linnets , 4 Stonechats and a male Reed Bunting . A Dunlin visited the Scrape. Around the fields by Grouville Parish Hall were 75 Chaffinches , 50 Goldfinches , 8 Greenfinches , 4 Stonechats , a House Martin and a Sparrowhawk and in the fields behind La Rocque were a Skylark , 32 Swallows feeding, 40 Starlings , 12 Stonechats , a Goldcrest and a Sparrowhawk , while flying over there, were 38 Chaffinches , 16 Meadow Pipits , a Redwing , 2 Song Thrushes , 12 Linnets and a Siskin . On Mont es Neaux was a Wheatear and over Woodlands Apartments in Grouville were 3 House Martins and 3 Swallows . At Holme Grown, Fauvic, were 28 Cattle Egrets and 3 Ravens and around the mud pond at Queen's Valley were a Teal and 14 Siskins . 10 Swallows were seen by Trinity Manor. Early on, at Rue Pignon in St Clement was a Barn Owl . In Grouville Bay, Brent Geese numbers had risen to 1,276 and also there, were 2 Great Crested Grebes , 2 Wheatears , 25 Linnets , 20 alba Wagtails , 30 Meadow Pipits . Seen from Seymour Slip were 205 Sanderlings , 30 Dunlin , 55 Turnstones , 3 Bar-tailed Godwits , 36 Redshanks , 16 Grey Plovers , 20 Swallows and another Wheatear . At Grouville Marsh were 3 Stonechats , 2 Blackcaps , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Siskins , 15 Meadow Pipits , 7 Song Thrushes , 2 Water Rails , 5 Cetti's Warblers , a Grey Wagtail , 4 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk .

20.10.2025 This 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull , pictured by Romano in Petit Port Bay, was ringed on Rauna Island, Southern Norway, in July. RDC A fierce day of heavy showers and a south-southwest veering west-southwest wind F6, but mild at 15c. It was a difficult day for birding, given the conditions, so the first Bittern of the Autumn, seen on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond was a real bonus. On St Ouen's Pond were 35 Shovelers , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 40 Black-headed Gulls and a Stonechat . Another first for the Autumn was a Great Northern Diver seen from a gusty Corbiere as it headed into the relative shelter of St Ouen's Bay. Also seen from Corbiere were a Balearic Shearwater , 14 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 12 Gannets , 4 Cormorants , 14 Shags , 66 Mediterranean Gulls, a Kittiwake , 83 Black-headed Gulls , 70 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull, 62 Great Black-backed Gulls , 70 Herring Gulls and 37 Curlews . A few hardy passerines flying over there, included 14 Chaffinches , 4 Linnets , a Grey Wagtail , a Pied Wagtail , 4 Starlings , the usual Rock Pipits and a Raven . A short watch from Noirmont saw a Gannet , 2 Razorbills , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , 2 Shags and on the ground, a Firecrest and a Blackbird . Up to 40 Brent Geese were at Le Hurel slip in Grouville Bay. 3 Swallows were seen at Mont a L'Abbe and in a Vallee des Vaux garden were 2 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Song Thrushes. This evening, at the Wetland Centre, were 32 Shovelers, a Snipe, and 45 Black-headed Gulls, while at L'Etacq were 120 Black-headed Gulls . At Petit Port were a Curlew , 8 Great Black-backed Gulls and 37 Herring Gulls . Below : Thanks as ever, go to Jo Bramley for her cute video of the Jack Snipe at the Scrape yesterday, in usual feeding mode.

19.10.2025 A super shot of a Kingfisher at the Scrape, image courtesy of Tony Paintin TP The switch back to westerlies duly began overnight, with a rain filled day and a southeast becoming southwest wind, increasing to strong and gusty. The Scrape Hide was a popular choice today in the conditions. A strong southward movement of gulls through St Ouen's Bay in the sometimes heavy rain, involved 138 Mediterranean Gulls, 276 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull , 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 100+ Herring Gulls . Also seen elsewhere in St Ouen's Bay were 55 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 19 Mediterranean Gulls and 350 Herring Gulls . Also seen from the Scrape Hide were 24 Teal , 32 Shovelers , the feral Whooper Swan , 2 Lapwings , a Jack Snipe , 5 Snipe , a Water Rail , 2 Grey Herons , 2 Little Egrets, 33 Starlings , 2 Skylarks , a light trickle of Meadow Pipits despite the rain, a Stonechat , 6 Chiffchaffs , 4 Pied Wagtails , 3 Goldfinches and a Song Thrush . A Barn Owl was seen on Mont Matthieu early on. At Petit Port were 13 Curlews , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , the usual Oystercatchers and 4 Little Egrets and 19 Redshanks were at St Aubin. Passing Victoria Tower early on were 8 Swallows , 13 Song Thrushes , 5 Blackbirds , 81 Chaffinches , 37 Siskins , 10 Meadow Pipits , 2 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldcrests , but there was no significant visible migration past Noirmont. 77 Cattle Egrets were by Holmegrown at Fauvic, this morning, a Grey Wagtail was in La Fredee Lane near Vallee des Vaux and at La Hague reservoir in St Peter's Valley were a Little Grebe , 10 Coot , a Grey Heron and 2 Moorhens . An afternoon count of the gulls in St Ouen's Bay found one Yellow-legged Gull, 7 Common Gulls , 150 Mediterranean Gulls , 140 Black-headed Gulls , 76 Lesser Black-backed Gulls including a Norwegian ringed bird, 52 Great Black-backed Gulls and 765 Herring Gulls , also 4 Swallows . Petit Port gulls this afternoon included a new Caspian Gull, 33 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, one witha Danish ring, 28 Great Black-backed Gulls , 264 Herring Gulls and also one Wigeon and a Teal . 17 Coot were at Grouville Marsh.

18.10.2025 A Woodlark over Noirmont this morning in the "no wings' mode. Image: MD A day of high clouds ahead of the forecast deterioration in the weather tonight. Winds were fresh and gusty form the southeast. It was a busy morning at Noirmont with migrants heading off in the clear conditions. Counts morning-long included 3 Woodlarks , 2 Skylarks , 53 Swallows , 13 Song Thrushes , 6 Blackbirds , 7 Stonechats , 1,479 Chaffinches , 152 Siskins , 226 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches , a Greenfinch , 73 Wood Pigeons , 5 Stock Doves, 123 Meadow Pipits , 8 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail, 7 Starlings , 6 unidentified wader sp, also a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Kestrels , 4 Buzzards , 2 Choughs and 4 Ravens . On the ground were 4 Goldcrests , a Chiffchaff and 2 Dartford Warblers . A Swallow was seen at Portelet too. Early morning counts at Victoria Tower included 233 Starlings , 11 Swallows , 12 Redwings , 5 Song Thrushes , 4 Blackbirds , 669 Chaffinches , 3 Bramblings , 81 Siskins , 33 Meadow Pipits , 11 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 8 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , 18 Goldcrests and 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . At the Wetland Center in St Ouen's Bay were 33 Shovelers , 2 Teal , 4 Wigeon , a Snipe and a Grey Heron and on the Scrape were, briefly, were 19 Stock Doves . In Petit Port Bay were 32 Curlews , 170 Oystercatchers , 4 1st winter Caspian Gulls , 56 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls and 37 Herring Gulls, with all birds being disturbed from roost the several times by a combination of Fishermen walking out on the rocks despite the warning notices, kayakers and a swimmer! At Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 5 Stonechats , 27 Starlings , a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels . On the small Pond in St Peter's Valley opposite Granite Products were a Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail . Elsewhere, 34 Cattle Egrets were near to Holmegrown at Fauvic again and 3 Ravens were at Rozel Harbour. Below : Sunrise at Noirmont this morning. Image: MD

17.10.2025 A Caspian Gull at Petit Port on the 15th. Image: RDC A fine day with some high cloud, feeling warmer in a light easterly wind (17c) Migrants were taking advantage of the current good weather ( due to break down this weekend ! ). Counts from Noirmont through the morning included 4 Woodlarks , 12 Skylarks , 296 Swallows , 10 House Martins , a Wheatear , 7 Stonechats , 13 Song Thrushes , 9 Blackbirds , 635 Chaffinches , 402 Linnets , 13 Siskins , a Brambling , 8 Greenfinches , 24 Goldfinches , 33 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 308 Meadow Pipits , 23 Starlings , 14 Stock Doves , 28 Woodpigeons , 6 Cormorants , 7 Razorbills , 5 Gannets , 2 Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk , a Goldcrest , a Chiffchaff , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 7 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Choughs , 8 Jackdaws , 4 Ravens , 50+ Crows and 5 Red Admiral butterflies. Passing Victoria Tower early on were 3 Fieldfares , 23 Song Thrushes , a Skylark , 273 Chaffinches , 37 Goldfinches , 20 Siskins , 7 Linnets , 3 Greenfinches , a Cirl Bunting , 37 Meadow Pipits , 10 Pied Wagtails , 2 Chiffchaffs , 6 Goldcrests and a Little Egret . At Petit Port this afternoon were 33 Curlews , 13 Great Black-backed Gulls , 29 Ringed Plovers and 19 Turnstones . On the railway Walk behind Corbiere, was an owl sp mid-morning, probably a Short-eared Owl , at Beauport were 5 Skylarks and a Stonechat and at Ouaisne was a Grey Heron . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Lapwing and a Kingfisher , also 2 Clouded Yellow butterflies. In St Helier Marina were a Kingfisher and a Great Crested Grebe . In St Catherine's Woods were 3 Firecrests , a Goldcrests , 4 Blackcaps , a Grey Wagtail , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 28 Long-tailed Tits in 2 flocks, and at Fauvic Marsh were 4 Teal and a Cormorant . A late report for the 12th October was a Black-necked Grebe at La Rocque - the first record of it for the Autumn.

16.10.2025 One of many Ravens currently on the Island, seen here passing Noirmont. Image: MD A fair to cloudy day, still in an east-northeasterly wind and feeling cool at 15c The pick of migrants passing Noirmont this morning was a Yellowhammer, once a scarce resident on the Island, now only a rare migrant. Linnets again made up the bulk of visible migrants there with 1,087 counted. Also passing were a Merlin , 41 Swallows , 4 Skylarks , a Fieldfare , 20 Song Thrushes , 24 Blackbirds , 6 Stonechats , 2 Bramblings , 334 Chaffinches , 24 Goldfinches , a Grey Wagtai l, 41 Pied Wagtails, 229 Meadow Pipits , 13 Stock Doves , 25 Woodpigeons , a Goldcrest , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , 6 Robins , 2 Cormorants and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, with 2 Common Scoter passing offshore. Local birds included 2 Dartford Warblers , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Kestrels , Buzzards , 2 Choughs , 4 Ravens and 75 Crows in a single flock. Also passing were 4 Red Admirals . The first 2 Woodlarks of the Autumn passed Victoria Tower early morning. Also seen there, were 102 Swallows , 4 Redwings , 23 Song Thrushes , 676 Chaffinches , 114 Linnets , 77 Goldfinches , 37 Siskins , 11 Greenfinches , 69 Meadow Pipits, 12 Pied Wagtails, 3 Snipe , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 49 Black-headed Gulls , a Grey Heron and on the ground were 11 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 19 Goldcrests and 3 Firecrests . In Grouville Bay were 3 Wigeon , 550 Brent Geese , 165 Sanderlings , 44 Dunlin , 26 Grey Plovers , a Redshank , a Bar-tailed Godwit and 22 Curlews , while at Holmegrown were 39 Cattle Egrets . A Little Egret and 2 Kestrels were at Rozel Harbour. A Ring Ouzel put in a brief appearance at Petit Port this afternoon, where 8 Teal , 28 Curlews , a Lapwing , a Kingfisher , a Common Gull and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls were present and 8 Ringed Plovers plus 6 Turnstones were roosting close by, at Le Grouet. 300 Brent Geese were in St Aubin's Bay this afternoon. Below : Two "record shots" of today's Yellowhammer in the gloom at Noirmont. Images: MD

15.10.2025 Linnets were moving over Noirmont in good numbers this morning, with a few dropping in for food en-route, including these two. Image: MD Another mainly gloomy day, with the continuing east-northeast wind and feeling cool at 15c. Early morning passage past Victoria Tower included 132 Redwings , 18 Fieldfares , a Mistle Thrush , 34 Song Thrushes , 2 Blackbirds , 21 Swallows , 152 Chaffinches , 4 Greenfinches , 32 Goldfinches , 11 Pied Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , 33 Meadow Pipits , a Cattle Egret, a Grey Heron , 24 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Chiffchaffs and 6 Goldcrests . A short watch early on, from Vallee des Vaux saw a Fieldfare , 12 Redwings , 10 Song Thrushes, 3 Siskins , 18 Chaffinches and 5 Woodpigeons . Seen morning-long at or passing over Noirmont were 4 Mute Swans of unknown origin, a Merlin , 78 Swallows , 7 Skylarks , 92 Song Thrushes , a Mistle Thrush , a Fieldfare , 2 Redwings , 23 Blackbirds , 2 Wheatears , 6 Stonechats , 1,480 Linnets , 284 Chaffinches , 27 Goldfinches , 4 Greenfinches , 88 Pied Wagtails , 109 Meadow Pipits , 17 Starlings , 66 Woodpigeons , a Firecrest , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Dartford Warble r, 5 Cormorants , 2 Peregrines , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Kestrels including a migrant bird, 2 Choughs , 2 Ravens and a Red Admiral . At La Crete quarry were a Peregrine and 3 Ravens , and at Fauvic were 22 Cattle Egrets . On Grouville Common were a Wheatear , 2 Stonechats , 4 Cirl Buntings , 2 Pied Wagtails and 9 Meadow Pipits . 2 Little Egrets were at Rozel. At the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 150 Brent Geese and a Great Crested Grebe . In St Ouen's Bay were 6 Ringed Plovers , 36 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed gulls , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 7 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Gull and a Wheatear and on the Scrape were 3 Lapwings . In Petit Port Bay were 27 Curlews , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 120 Oystercatchers , 4 Little Egrets and 17 Crows . At Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel . Below : A distant view of four Mute Swans passing North of Noirmont in this morning's gloom. Image: MD

14.10.2025 This Chiffchaff , one of 56 trapped and released by David yesterday, was already wearing an English ring. Image: DB A fair to cloudy day with good visibility in a fresh East-northeast wind. The current conditions are encouraging some good migration over the Island. Redwings and Song Thrushes were heard over Vallee des Vaux last night and seen early this morning at Victoria Tower were 334 Redwings, 81 Fieldfares , 17 Song Thrushe s,2 Stonechats3 Blackbirds , a Skylark , 28 Swallows , 54 Starlings , 238 Chaffinches , 34 Goldfinches , 33 Linnets , 20 Siskins , 74 Meadow Pipits , 13 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail, 10 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Cormorants . In similar vein, birds at and over Noirmont included 41 Fieldfares , 14 Redwings , 38 Song Thrushes , 11 Blackbirds , 26 Swallows , 4 House Martins , 10 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting, 36 Starlings , 21 Woodpigeons , 7 Pied Wagtails , 132 Meadow Pipits , a Grey Wagtail, 338 Linnets , 13 Siskins , 307 Chaffinches , 28 Goldfinches , 3 Greenfinches , 3 Wheatears , 9 Stonechats , a Snipe , 3 Dartford Warblers , 2 Jays , 4 Choughs , 6 Ravens , a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 6 Buzzards , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 3 Chiffchaffs , 8 Robins , 11 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Red Admirals . Further Redwings included 30+ over Rue des Charrieres in St Peter, with 2 Stonechats also there, 5 Redwings over Grantez and 6 Redwings over Beauport. In Les Ormes Valley this morning were 15 Chiffchaffs , 14 Blackcaps , 15 Robins , 10 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 18 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Bullfinches , 20 Song Thrushes , 12 Fieldfares , 32 Redwings , 2 Siskins , 9 Skylarks , 25 Chaffinches , a Linnet, 2 Stonechats and 10 Meadow Pipits . Later morning, at Ouaisne, were 20 Chiffchaffs , 4 Blackcaps , 16 Long-tailed Tits , 5 Goldcrests , 3 Firecrests , 6 Linnets , 3 Choughs and a Grey Heron . At the Wetland Centre were a Green Sandpiper , 26 Teal , 23 Shovelers , 8 Grey Herons , a Reed Bunting , 4 Marsh Harriers , 12 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Mute Swans . A Wheatear was seen at Les Landes. At La Rocque were 353 Brent Geese , 12 Little Egrets , a Grey Heron , 150 Oystercatchers , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 95 Starlings . A Common Sandpiper was at Queen's Valley reservoir. At Mont a L'Abbe were 4 Cattle Egrets .

13.10.2025 Today was the first "thrush" day this Autumn, including Fieldfares in numbers . This picture is from a previous year's arrival. Image: MD A cold feeling day, with overcast conditions in a fresh, sometimes strong east-northeast wind Visible migration over Noirmont included a Ring Ouzel, 4 Fieldfares , 18 Redwings , 7 Blackbirds and 21 Song Thrushes , also 312 Swallows , a Sand Martin , 8 House Martins , 4 Skylarks , 29 Starlings , a Grey Wagtail, 45 Pied Wagtails, 168 Meadow Pipits , a Wheatear , a Reed Bunting , 205 Chaffinches , 218 Linnets , 6 Greenfinches , a Brambling , 34 Goldfinches , 21 Woodpigeons , and a Cormorant . On the ground were 6 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs . 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern passed offshore and also there were 2 Peregrines , 2 Kestrels , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Buzzards , 4 Choughs , 4 Ravens and 30 Crows . 5 Redwings , 35 Fieldfares , 6 Stonechats and 3 Choughs were seen at Beauport. A Wheatear and 2 Stonechats were at Gorselands . Counts at Victoria Tower included 299 Swallows , 23 Song Thrushes , 6 Blackbirds , 419 Chaffinches , 8 Greenfinches , 176 Meadow Pipits, 7 Pied Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails, 6 Chiffchaffs , a Goldcrerst , a Blackcap , a Cattle Egret and a Grey Heron . At or passing over Ouaisne from mid-morning were 52 Fieldfares , 26 Redwings , 8 Song Thrushes , 70 Chiffchaffs , 10 Robins , 2 Firecrests , 10 Goldcrests , 30 Blue Tits , 17 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Grey Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 25 Chaffinches , a Brambling and a Sparrowhawk and over Les Creux were 4 Lapwings moving East. In Les Ormes Valley from early were 15 Song Thrushes , 2 Swallows , 40 Chiffchaffs , 12 Blackcaps , 22 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Firecrests , 15 Goldcrests , 4 Skylarks , 2 Bullfinches , a Siskin , 30 Chaffinches , 6 Meadow Pipits and a Marsh Harrier . At Sands in St Ouen's Bay were 11 Meadow Pipits and 2 Grey Herons , while on the Pond were a Wigeon , a female Pintail , 25 Shovelers and 2 Grey Herons . 455 Brent Geese were at St Aubin and 300 Black-headed Gulls were at Le Dicq. Seen at La Rocque were 39 Curlews , 37 Turnstones , 13 Redshanks , 9 Grey Plovers and a Bar-tailed Godwit and at Causie Lane in St Clement were 3 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron . 46 Cattle Egrets were by Holmegrown. 2 Swallows were ween at Le Bourg. A visit to the Zoo saw 7 Swallows , a Short-toed Treecreeper, a Firecrest , a Goldcrest , a Long-tailed Tit , a Blackcap , a Grey Wagtail , a Chiffchaff , a Water Rail, a Blackbird , a Siskin and a Chaffinch . This afternoon, a trickle of Swallows , Meadow Pipits and a Grey Heron were over Red House heading towards Noirmont.