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07.07.2024 Little Egrets passing Corbiere MD
A cloudy day with showers close by and some rain this afternoon, in a moderate southwest wind.
Around St Ouen's Bay today, a Gadwall and a Grey Heron were seen from the Wetland Centre, while on the Scrape were the family of 4 Shelduck, 3 juvenile Lapwings and a Grey Heron. At La Pulente were 42 Black-headed Gulls, the pair of Shelduck, still with 3 young, 4 Little Egrets and Kestrels with 2 juveniles. A Grey Seal was offshore there too.
There was less activity off Corbiere than yesterday, with birds seen including 9 Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, 5 Guillemots, 69 Gannets, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 27 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 9 Little Egrets, 2 Ravens and a Peregrine. Roosting at Petit Port were 25 Curlews including a returning Welsh colour-ringed bird "yellow FW", 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 44 Black-headed Gulls and another 5 Little Egrets.
A check around of breeding House Martins found 11 pairs at Francheville Farm, 12 birds at Creux Gabourel, a pair in Quennevais Gardens, St Brelade, and 3 pairs in Rue d'Elysee, St Mary. At Rue des Pres were Reed Warblers feeding young and Marsh Harriers with fledged young. 6 Swifts were seen over Francheville Farm and another 3 were over Vallee des Vaux, where 10 Bullfinches including juveniles, 6 Greenfinches, and 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers including young, were also seen
08.11.2025 The Yellow-browed Warbler at Ouaisne this morning, thanks to Dave Buxton. It was quieter on the visible migration front today but seen passing over Victoria Tower were 83 Song Thrush , 79 Redwing , 12 Blackbird , 9 Skylark , 52 Starling , a Redpoll , 192 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 28 Greenfinch , 18 Linnet , 4 Siskin , a Reed Bunting , 3 Pied Wagtail , 39 Woodpigeon , 11 Stock Dove and 4 Brent Geese while on the ground were a Black Redstart , 3 Chiffchaff , a Blackcap and 2 Goldcrest . Down at Ouaisne were a Yellow-browed Warbler , 20 Chiffchaff , 25 Goldcrest , 6 Firecrest , 2 Blackcap , 2 Song Thrush , 2 Redwing and 2 Woodcock while flying over were 450 Woodpigeon , 140 Siskin , 20 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 2 Skylark , 2 Raven , 2 Marsh Harrier and a pale Buzzard . Seen in the Sandpits were 25 Tufted Duck , 6 Pochard , 35 Coot , 2 Little Grebe , a Grey Heron , 2 Stonechat and 2 Marsh Harrier while nearby at St Ouens Pond were 29 Shoveler , 11 Teal , 3 Little Grebe , 4 Lapwing , 3 Snipe , a Water Rail , a Grey Heron , 6 Marsh Harrier , 30 Starling , 2 Blackcap and 3 Reed Bunting and a t Corbiere were 38 Curlew , 3 Purple Sandpiper and 7 Brent Geese . A Kingfisher was seen again in Queen's Valley and at Beaumont Marsh were 5 Brent Geese , 2 Snipe and a Grey Wagtail .
07.11.2025 Just some of the 101 Cattle Egret in St Clement this morning! Thanks to Alan Gicquel for the photo. It was a fruitful morning over Victoria Tower again with 3,137 Redwing , 63 Song Thrush , 11 Blackbird , 5 Skylark , a Serin , 1,069 Chaffinch , 19 Brambling , 140 Siskin , 8 Linnet , a Grey Wagtail , 15 Stock Dove , 2 Grey Heron and a Cormorant while on the ground were 3 Chiffchaff , 2 Blackcap , a Firecrest and 4 Goldcrest . A great count of 101 Cattle Egret were in fields along Causie lane and 933 Brent Geese were in Grouville Bay. At Grouville Marsh this morning were 45 Chiffchaff , 10 Firecrest , 2 Goldcrest , 2 Grey Wagtail , 16 Siskin , 4 Bullfinch , 20 Song Thrush , 10 Blackbird , 8 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Reed Bunting , a Woodcock , 4 Stonechat , 6 Water Rail and 4 Teal while flying over were 850 Redwing , 130 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 8 Skylark , a Snipe , a Greenshank and 2 Marsh Harrier . In fields near to the Parish hall were 150 Chaffinch and 20 Goldfinch . At Petit Port were 44 Mediterranean Gull , a Kingfisher , a Grey Heron and 11 Little Egret with 52 Turnstone , a Purple Sandpiper and a Black Redstart at Corbiere. A check of St Aubins found 24 Redshank and a Grey Wagtail and a Goldcrest was picked up after flying into the windows of the RBC building on the Esplande, but was happily released after a short rest.
06.11.2025 One of today's Skylarks , flying over the bunker at Noirmont. Image: MD A day of varying amounts of cloud, but feeling warm at 16c in a moderate southerly wind After yesterday's relatively quiet scene, visible migrants were back in numbers this morning. Seen from Victoria Tower were 3,861 Redwings , 2 Mistle Thrushes , 8 Song Thrushes , 3 Blackbirds , 2 Skylarks , 3,186 Starlings, 146 Chaffinches , 5 Bramblings , 37 Siskins , 36 Linnets , 6 Goldfinches , 102 Woodpigeons , 2 Pied Wagtails , 3 Meadow Pipits , 4 Goldcrests and a Firecrest . It always amazes, how different the species mix can be between Victoria Tower and Noirmont, less than ten miles apart. Today's counts at Noirmont included 3,677 Woodpigeons , 16 Stock Doves, a Woodlark , 32 Skylarks , 303 Starlings , 44 Song Thrushes, just a single Redwing , a Mistle Thrush , 4 Blackbirds , 3 Stonechats , a Lapwing , 1,192 Chaffinches , 9 Siskins , 3 Bramblings , 5 Goldfinches , 17 Greenfinches , 10 Linnets , 68 Meadow Pipits , 5 Pied Wagtails , 2 arriving Blue Tits , a Dartford Warbler , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , also a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Buzzards and 8 Ravens . In Les Ormes Valley from Dawn, were a late Swallow , 2 Firecrests , 5 Goldcrests , 6 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 2 Bullfinches , a Water Rail, 60 Song Thrushes , 35 Redwings , 15 Blackbirds , 130 Starlings , 4 Skylarks , a Fieldfare , 8 Siskins , 5 Bramblings , 120 Chaffinches , 2 Meadow Pipits , 2 Linnets ,, also 17 Black-headed Gulls, a Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier . On Ouaisne Common were a Woodcock , 3 Firecrests , 5 Goldcrests , 25 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps , 3 Song Thrushes , a Skylark , a Siskin , 8 Ravens and a Marsh Harrier . At St Catherine's were 105 Brent Geese and a Grey Seal, and In Grouville Bay were 800 Brent Geese including one pale-bellied bird , these counts including a good number of juveniles. On Grouville Common were q flock of 30 Starlings , 2 Stonechats , 4 Pied Wagtails , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , 2 Firecrests and 2 Long-tailed Tits .
05.11.2025 A Goldcrest at Pont Marquet this week. Image: MD A cloud and grey day, mild in a fresh to strong southeast wind. Early movement over Victoria Tower this morning included 296 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds , 280 Starlings , 274 Chaffinches , 4 Bramblings , 4 Goldfinches , and 123 Siskins , with 6 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests and 4 Chiffchaffs also there. A quieter morning at Noirmont saw a Great Northern Diver flying over the headland, and among the more regular species were 1,130 Woodpigeons, 2 Skylarks , 255 Chaffinches , 18 Goldfinches , 2 Linnets , 14 Redwings , 2 Song Thrushes , 60 Meadow Pipits , 7 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , 5 Ravens , 2 Choughs and a Grey Heron . 29 Shovelers were on St Ouen's Pond and 2 Teal plus a Grey Heron were at Kempt Tower pools. At the Scrape were 13 Marsh Harriers and a Grey Heron . At Petit Port were 27 Curlews and a Mediterranean Gull and in Beaumont Marsh were 4 Brent Geese , 4 Ravens , a Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails . This evening , Redwings were in flight over La Pouquelaye and yesterday evening, Redwings were heard in flight over both Noirmont and Vallee des Vaux.
04.11.2025 A Firecrest at Pont Marquet yesterday. Image: MD Cloudy conditions through the day today, with a fresh to strong south-southeasterly wind, but mild at 15c Despite the strong headwind, there was some good passage of birds through the morning at Noirmont, with counts of one Swallow , 9,125 Woodpigeons , 565 Starlings , 726 Chaffinches , 49 Goldfinches , 8 Greenfnches , 3 Linnets , 24 Meadow Pipits , a Pied Wagtail , a Grey Wagtail and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were a 4 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , a kettle of 8 Buzzards , a female Marsh Harrier , 2 Choughs and 4 Ravens . In St Aubin's Bay were 720 Brent Geese and at Beaumont Marsh were 4 Brent Geese , 60 Starlings , a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk . At Petit Port were 26 Curlews , 8 Turnstones , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 8 Great Black-backed Gulls while at Corbiere were 8 Purple Sandpipers , 5 Turnstones , 13 Mediterranean Gulls and 266 Herring Gulls . In Longueville Marsh in St Clement were 2 Siskins , 15 Chiffchaffs , a Cetti's Warbler, a Firecrest , a Goldcrest and a Water Rail and in Vallee des Vaux were a Redwing , 2 Song Thrushes , 2 Firecrests , 4 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs . Below : If you haven't visited the Kempt Tower pools for a while, a good job has been done on opening up the views on the YOC Hide pond, seen here, yesterday, as viewed from the stand-up hide. Image MD
03.11.2025 Woodpigeons heading off into the rising sun at Noirmont this morning. Image: MD A day of high cloud, with just an isolated shower in a strong and gusty southwest wind. Mild at 16c Early morning migration over Noirmont was dominated by Woodpigeons , with 5,020 counted in the first ninety minutes of daylight. Other species also heading off included 6 Stock Doves , 12 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 30 Meadow Pipits , 182 Chaffinches , 16 Siskins , 24 Goldfinches , 3 Linnets , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were a single Brent Goose , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk and 11 Ravens with a Goldcrest calling on the ground. Passing Victoria Tower early were 5 Swallows , 237 Chaffinches , 11 Goldfinches , 2 Song Thrushes , 58 Woodpigeons , 14 Stock Doves , 3 Meadow Pipits, with 2 Goldcrests also seen. On Grouville Common was a Wheatear and in Grouville Bay were 675 Brent Geese including one pale-belled Brent , and at Holmegrown were 76 Cattle Egrets . In Grouville Marsh were a Reed Bunting , 2 Blackcaps , 12 Chiffchaffs , 4 Goldcrests , 4 Cetti's Warblers , a Grey Wagtail , a Sparrowhawk, 70 Jackdaws and a Water Rail . At La Rocque were 97 Grey Plovers , 82 Sanderlings , 10 Dunlin , 3 Redshanks , 32 Turnstones and 16 Curlews . In Vallee des Vaux were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , a Grey Wagtail, a Siskin and 6 Greenfinches . In Petit Port Bay were 15 Curlews , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Turnstones and hundreds of Herring Gulls . Earlier, on the patch at Corbiere were 15 Mediterranean Gulls, 26 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake , 6 Gannets , and a few Razorbills . On St Ouen's Pond were 27 Shovelers and 4 Little Grebes . At Pont Marquet, on the Railway Walk were at least 5 Firecrests and 3 Goldcrests . Yesterday evening Barn Owls were in Vallee des Vaux and on Trinity Hill and a late report from Friday (31st) was of a Wheatear on Les Landes.
02.11.2025 A young Arctic Tern on a very windy St Catherine's Breakwater today, image courtesy of David Buxton Another very blustery day with frequent showers this morning, winds from the West and strong. Seawatching from Corbiere this morning saw 91 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 24 Gannets , 45 Shags , 10 Cormorants , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 12 Black-headed Gulls , 29 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Kittiwakes , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Heron . The patch north of Corbiere light attracted over 200 Gulls , mainly Mediterranean Gulls and Black-headed Gulls , also a few Gannets and auks . At Le Pulec this afternoon were over 500 Herring Gulls , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls, 600 Oystercatchers , 53 Curlews , 19 Shags and 11 Little Egrets . In Petit Port Bay were 29 Curlews , 17 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Black-headed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Lapwing and 7 Teal and at Noirmont were 12 Stonechats . In the relative calm of Vallee des Vaux this morning, were a Short-toed Treecreeper which was ringed and released, 2 Firecrests , 3 Goldcrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 6 Long-tailed Tits , 7 Greenfinches , a Siskin , 2 Redwings and a Sparrowhawk . Below : A video of today's Arctic Tern , with sound that confirms it was very windy there! Thanks again to David DB
01.11.2025 Two Barnacle Geese in flight with an Australian Wood Duck over the Scrape! No doubt, of very dubious provenance, but a very nice image taken by John Ovenden, nevertheless. Image: JO A Woodcock was seen standing on Mont Cochon before first light. In the fields behind La Rocque Harbour were 84 Cattle Egrets and flying over there, were a Snipe , a Skylark , 14 Meadow Pipits and 6 Chaffinches and in the fields around Grouville Parish Hall were 120 Goldfinches , 4 Linnets , a Reed Bunting , 6 Meadow Pipits , 100 Chaffinches , a Chiffchaff , a Stonechat , 2 Siskins , and a Skylark . In Grouville Marsh were a Reed Bunting , 6 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail . A thirty minute count of visible migrants over Victoria Tower saw 5 Bramblings , 3 Siskins , 2 Goldfinches , a Starling , a Grey Wagtail , 131 Chaffinches , 8 Redwings , 2 Song Thrushes , a Blackbird and on the ground, 2 Goldcrests . A similar exercise at Noirmont counted 2 Skylarks , 51 Woodpigeons , 52 Meadow Pipits , 85 Starlings , 2 Pied Wagtails , 32 Chaffinches and 3 Linnets , while on the ground there were a Mistle Thrush , 3 Song Thrushes, and a Peregrine flew over. Seabirds off Corbiere, mainly on the patch by the lighthouse, included 149 Razorbills , 38 Gannets , 104 Mediterranean Gulls , 60 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 12 Great Black-backed Gulls . A Grey Wagtail and 12 Meadow Pipits flew over. In Petit Port Bay were a Kingfisher , 4 Brent Geese , 24 Curlews , 8 Turnstones , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 11 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Grey Herons , 3 Little Egrets and a Sparrowhawk . On the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 31 Teal and 4 Marsh Harriers and a presumed escaped Australian Wood Duc k flew over with two Barnacle Geese . In a garden in Vallee des Vaux this afternoon were 5 Goldcrests , 2 Firecrests , 3 Chiffchaffs , 2 Blackcaps and 4 Redwings at Dusk. Below : The feeding area North of Corbiere Lighthouse on the rising tide today.
31.10.2025 A sub-adult and a juvenile Gannet passing Grosnez this week. Image: MD October bowed out with another blast from the South with some rain, but feeling mild at 16c. Some hardy souls heading off South from Noirmont early this morning, or arriving from the North, included a Ring Ouzel, 88 Redwings , 39 Song Thrushes , 3 Blackbirds , 10 Skylarks , 359 Woodpigeons , 159 Meadow Pipits , 2 Pied Wagtails , 75 Chaffinches , and 3 Linnets , with 4 Ravens , a Peregrine , a Kestrel and 2 Buzzards also seen there. On the morning high tide, there was a good gathering of seabirds feeding just North of the Corbiere Lighthouse, which included a Great Northern Diver , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 21 Razorbills , 22 Gannets , 56 Mediterranean Gulls , 45 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls , 4 Kittiwakes and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls , also a single Puffin was seen in St Ouen's Bay from a passing boat. In Petit Port Bay were 32 Curlews , 9 Brent Geese , 3 Little Egrets , 100+ Oystercatchers and a Kingfisher . A second Ring Ouzel was seen at Sorel this afternoon. At St Ouen's Pond, as viewed from the Wetland Centre, were 24 Shoveler , 26 Teal , 6 Reed Buntings and 2 Stonechats , with 20 Snipe flying over there. By Kempt Tower were 38 Ringed Plovers, 2 Skylarks , 3 Firecrests , 4 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest . Yesterday evening, Redwings were heard in flight over Vallee des Vaux.
30.10.2025 As October nears it's end, Woodpigeons are increasing in numbers on a daily basis ( weather permitting of course) Image: MD A dry day in an increasingly brisk southerly wind, ahead of more rain tomorrow. A far better day for visible migrants to move and passing Noirmont through this morning were 6 Woodlarks , 20 Skylarks , 11 Swallows , 1,290 Woodpigeons , 159 Starlings , 2,036 Chaffinches , 48 Linnets , 49 Goldfinches , 13 Siskins , a Mistle Thrush , 194 Meadow Pipits , 9 Pied Wagtails , 4 Stock Doves and offshore, a Little Gull , 30 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Cormorants . Just a few birds on the ground included 8 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , a Goldcrest and 2 Dartford Warblers , while local raptors on the scene included 2 Peregrines , a Kestrel , 3 Buzzards , a Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk . Corvids at Noirmont included 2 Choughs , 4 Ravens and 40+ Crows . In Les Ormes Valley from Dawn were a Fieldfare , 3 Redwings , 20 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds , 4 Blackcaps , 10 Chiffchaffs , 8 Goldcrests , 4 Firecrests , 12 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Water Rails , and passing overhead were a Sparrowhawk , 6 Siskins , a Skylark , 90 Chaffinches , 6 Meadow Pipits , a Greenfinch , a Goldfinch , 5 Linnets , 75 Starlings , 17 Black-headed Gulls and a Marsh Harrier . On Ouaisne Common were a Grey Wagtail , 45 Chiffchaffs , 20 Firecrests , 12 Goldcrests , 5 Blackcaps , a Siskin , 15 Long-tailed Tits , a Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail . In Grouville Bay were 1,200 Brent Geese including one pale-bellied bird, 15 Ringed Plovers , a Bar-tailed Godwit , a Greenshank , 20 Grey Plovers and 50 Turnstones . In the Old Harbour in St Helier were several more Turnstones , a Kingfisher , an alba Wagtail , a Little Egret and a Raven . At Mont a L'Abbe were 2 Cattle Egrets and in Vallee des Vaux were a Redwing , 10 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests and another 8 Long-tailed Tits .
