Jersey Birds

Another grey and overcast day, but at least there was no fog. Winds were light from the East

There was a large movement of Woodpigeons in the slightly better conditions, with the Island seemingly covered in them. Counts included 25,150 from Noirmont, 16,545 over Victoria Tower, 600+ at St Clement's Church, 200+ at La Hougue Bie and no doubt, many many more as birds were still arriving at lunchtime and into the afternoon.

But it wasn't only Woodpigeons, and this morning from Victoria Tower, 11 Hawfinches, 2 Woodlarks, a Richard's Pipit, a Great White Egret, 526 Redwings, 13 Fieldfares, 31 Song Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds, 27 Skylarks, 107 Stock Doves, 2,940 Starlings, a Water Pipit, 1,035 Chaffinches, 6 Bramblings, 138 Goldfinches, 20 Siskins, 83 Linnets, 21 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and a Cattle Egret were recorded.

In a similar vein, Noirmont counts included another Great White Egret, a Swallow, 1,715 Starlings, 20 Skylarks, 7 Fieldfares, 54 Redwings, 16 Song Thrushes, 10 Blackbirds, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Shovelers, 32 Stock Doves, 218 Chaffinches, 48 Linnets, 32 Goldfinches, 6 Greenfinches, 79 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Cormorants, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Stonechats, 6 Robins and a Dartford Warbler.

Late yesterday evening, good numbers of Redwings, Song Thrushes and a few Blackbirds were heard calling in the fog at La Collette, with more heard at Gorey too. The fog has brought a few casualties, and collisions with buildings have seen Woodcocks come to grief at La Collette and in a private garden in St Helier, with, no doubt, more going unrecorded.

Also reported from La Hougue Bie were another 5 Hawfinches, 18 Redwings, 4 Jackdaws and 2 Ravens.

At St Aubin were 25 Redshanks and 15 Turnstones while at Beaumont Marsh were 2 Teal and a Snipe. A male Stonechat was seen up at Overdale.

On St Ouen's Pond were 14 Shovelers, a Water Pipit, 7 Snipe and 3 Water Rails and at the Scrape were 8 Teal, 7 Lapwings, a Grey Heron, 11 Snipe, 120+ Starlings, 2 Water Rails and 16 Marsh Harriers. Another Stonechat was seen to the North of the Cutty Sark. In Les Ormes Valley were 3 Firecrests, 2 Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, 3 Song Thrushes, 2 Redwings, 3 Blackbirds, and 30 Chaffinches. A Black Redstart and 18 Redwings were at Gorselands.

A Snow Bunting was photographed on St Catherine's Breakwater this morning.